FWCCSP RECORD

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park Newsletter

Friends of White Clay Creek State Park

P.O. Box 9734
Newark, DE 19714-9734
http://fwccsp.ude!. edu

Newsletter Special Edition June 2002

NOTE TO READERS - This special edition of the FWCCSP RECORD is being published to
inform you of important information about two subjects discussed at our membership meeting on
May 16. We also include a schedule of summer concerts for your convenience. For other regular
newsletter features, such as Project Updates, Calendar of Events, Volunteer Opportunities,
Superintendent's Comer, Wildlife Sightings, etc., please refer to the regular edition published in
April 2002.

Traffic Control Concepts for Wedgewood and Creek Roads

At the May 16 membership meeting, Mark Chura, Manager of Planning, Preservation, and
Development for Delaware State Parks, discussed conceptual ideas about ways to restrict traffic
on Wedgewood and Creek Roads. This is being considered for several reasons: (a) to enable the
use of Wedgewood Road as part of the bikeway from the Carpenter Recreation Area parking lot
to the footbridge area (thereby avoiding the need to cut a new bikeway through the woods near
Creek Road), (b) to enable the use of Creek Road as part of the proposed bikeway from Newark
to the footbridge area, (c) to generally improve the experiences of park visitors by making Creek
and Wedgewood Roads feel more like park roads than through highways, and (d) to restrict
sometimes inappropriate use during nighttime hours.
At this time there are numerous options to consider, including the possibility of converting
these roads to park roads, which would allow Parks to control speed limits and access, as well as
possible periodic closures. Mark cited Thompson Station Road (closed on weekends above the
park office) and the 9-Foot Road (closed at night) as examples of former public roads through the
park that have been made more pedestrian-friendly as park roads. Another possibility is partial
closures with a parking lot at the point where the road becomes a park road. One-way traffic
could also be considered.
Comments from attendees were generally supportive of the concept of restricting traffic
on these roads. Concerns expressed included possible adverse impact on traffic in Newark (a
traffic study was requested) and a need to make it possible for older persons and perhaps others
to access the footbridge area without having to walk a long distance. Some people, especially
older people, also enjoy the scenic drive along Creek Road, and maintaining this capability would
be desirable. Police and fire companies could be given keys to enable access during an
emergency. One person suggested that a:full public hearing would be necessary prior to
implementation.
Natural Areas Management Plan

At the membership meeting Mark also briefly discussed the Division's intention to do a
master plan for the park. In part because of funding constraints, this will be done during the next
couple of years on a smaller scale than the recent plan for Cape Henlopen, for example. A master
plan would involve several aspects, including plans for trails, natural areas, recreation, cultural
sites, structures, and parking lots. With this context, Mark then introduced Rob Line, Natural
Areas Program Manager for Delaware State Parks, to discuss the natural areas management plan
for the park. This plan will consider the different areas in the park (agricultural fields, meadows,
ponds, forests) and develop a plan for how to manage these areas to best preserve and enhance
the park's value as a natural area.
Rob described recent efforts to survey wildlife habitats in the park. These included a
survey by the Natural Heritage Program that identified locations with rare plant and animal
species. Parks has also done surveys using aerial photographs and on-the-ground personnel to
identify areas of high quality habitat. In comparison with other areas in the state, White Clay
Creek State Park had the highest ranked forest in the Piedmont area and also ranked well
statewide.
As a next stage in developing a natural areas plan, Parks would like to talk to people who
use the park to help decide what is needed and establish some priorities. Resource limitations will
restrict what can be done, but it will be important to preserve the highest quality forest (about 400
acres) and perhaps improve some grassland or meadow habitat.
Parks would welcome volunteer assistance with the development and implementation of
the natural areas plan for the park. This could include participation in an advisory capacity in the
planning process, as well as assistance with surveying and monitoring specific habitats to refine
our understanding of what currently exists and how it should be maintained or improved. Persons
interested in participating should contact Andy Urquhart at (302) 239-2471 or aurqu@aol.com.

Summer Concerts 2002

Concerts are Wednesday evenings at the new band shell in the Carpenter Recreation Area. June
and July concerts start at 7:00 pm; August concerts start at 6:30 pm.

June 12 Sin City Band (American Honky Tonk)

June 19 Newark Community Band (Marches/Show Tunes)
June 26 Generations (Big Band)
July 10 Jerry and the Juveniles (50's Rock 'n Roll)
July 17 Bitter Creek (Blue Grass)
July 24 Christina Harrison with Bill Belcher (Celtic and World Music)
July 31 Libby McDowell Band (Jazz, Blues, Ballads)
August 7 Swing Kings (Big Band)
August 14 Heavenly Hash (70's - 90's Rock 'n Roll)
August 21 Planette Folle (Cajun, Zydeco)