Delaware National Park Proposal

Listen to Senator Carper talk about why Delaware deserves a national park, and about his efforts and plans to create one.

Delaware is currently the only state without a national park. In 2004, after nearly two years of research and planning involving state officials, community leaders and activists, I unveiled a proposal to create the Delaware National Coastal Heritage Park.

This national park would link various sites across the state that tell the story of Delaware's coastal heritage, from the days of our state's earliest inhabitants to the bustling financial, tourism and recreational location that Delaware has become today.

Among the themes we hope our park will highlight are the history of indigenous peoples; colonization and establishment of the frontier; the nation's founding; industrial development; transportation; coastal defense; the Underground Railroad; and the coastal environment.

The proposal called on the National Park Service to construct interpretive centers - or hubs - that would help residents and tourists alike learn more about how our coastline has contributed to the development of our state and our nation. These centers will provide information and guidance about the many existing historic sites, natural areas, recreational opportunities and other attractions that are part of our unique coastal region.

Before a national park could be established in Delaware, the National Park Service had to study the need and feasibility of building and running such a park. The National Park Service was authorized to do such a study under legislation I introduced and the Congress passed 2006 in cooperation with the state of Delaware, coastal communities and the general public, and was finished in January 2009.

At that time, the Park Service concluded that a park should be established in Delaware, and gave some suggestions on what form it should take.

Then in October 2009, I introduced The First State National Historical Park Act (S. 1801), which authorizes the first national park in Delaware and is based on the National Park Service's recommendations. Like we originally hoped, the park will celebrate Delaware's early Dutch, Swedish and English settlements and the events leading up to the state's role in the founding of our nation.

Once authorized by Congress, the park's central headquarters will be located in the city of New Castle, where visitors can learn about many other historic sites across every county in Delaware. These other historic sites will include:

• The New Castle Historic District;
• Fort Christina;
• The John Dickinson Plantation;
• Lombardy Hall;
• Stonum;
• The Dover Green; and
• The Lewes Historic District.

The legislation also authorizes $5.5 million for grants to the State of Delaware, non-profit organizations and other entities for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of existing structures within the National Historical Park.

At this time, the bill is awaiting consideration by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Congressman Castle introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Once this legislation becomes law, there will be additional steps, including a National Park Service management study to determine the best way to organize and staff the National Park. However, during this transition period, National Park Service personnel will begin work in Delaware.

I look forward to working with Ken Salazar, the Secretary of the Interior, the National Park Service, and my colleagues in Congress to finally get us across the finish line in the near future.

For more information, feel free to contact any of my office locations or E-MAIL ME.