Several Delaware State Parks will see campground improvements thanks to funds provided by the American Rescue Plan Travel, Tourism, and Outdoor Recreation Program.
According to the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) website, the Travel, Tourism & Outdoor Recreation program, is focused on accelerating the recovery of communities that rely on the travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation sectors, and $750 million of EDA’s American Rescue Plan funds are allocated to support State Tourism and Competitive Grants.
As per a report, Senator Tom Carper, Delaware Natural Resources Secretary Shawn Garvin, and U.S. Economic Development Administration Regional Director Linda Cruz Carnall visited Cape Henlopen State Park to announce $3.2-million funding for improvements to state parks.
A total of $803,000 from matching local funds will help improve the campgrounds of Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, Trap Pond, Killens Pond, and Lums Pond State Parks.
Upgrades include new and improved cabins and cottages, kayak and dock facilities, and more.
“Delaware’s state park system is a vital contributor to our state’s $3 billion tourism economy,” Carper said.
“The First State may be small, but the appeal of our parks is far from it: Delaware’s parks attract almost six million guests a year! I’m delighted to welcome this investment from the Economic Development Administration that will create jobs, boost our economy, and help ensure that park visitors can come enjoy Delaware and make lifelong memories here.”
According to Senator Carper’s office, the $3.2 million EDA grant will fund planning through the construction design and help the Division of Parks and Recreation fulfill several campground plans and needs at five state park campgrounds.
The state park campgrounds include Cape Henlopen’s campground expansion with additional sites, amenities, and new full-service cabins in the youth primitive area near Herring Point.
For Delaware Seashore State Park, additional six cottages will be added to the existing twelve, with an additional dozen or so cottages on the south side campground.
For Lums Pond, a campground expansion with 30 new pull-through, full hook-up sites, plus a new bathhouse facility to accommodate the expansion.
At Killens Pond, there will be six accessible docks and kayak/canoe launches, a new dump station at the campground, and a new camp store closer to the existing campground.
For Trap Pond, six accessible docks and kayak/canoe launches, a new boat rental facility with multiple family restrooms, service windows, storage for boats and safety equipment, ten new full-service cabins, a new primitive camping area, and a splash park.
This story originally appeared on WGMD.