Take a Hike

The Junction and Breakwater Trails provide a shady route
between Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.
Photograph by Keith Mosher www.kamproductions.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In northern Delaware, a portion of the 193-mile Mason-Dixon Trail runs through Iron Hill Park and along the Christina River. Yet the longest Delaware portion winds through White Clay Creek Preserve, where runners, hikers, and dog walkers enjoy a hardwood forest full of wildlife. Visit www.masondixontrail.org or contact the Delaware Park Resource Office at 739-9200.

The 90-mile Coastal Heritage Greenway is a chain of protected lands that runs from Fox Point State Park near Edgemoor to Fenwick Island. Hubs include sites with trails, such as Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna, a birder’s paradise. “The scenic trail passes through many different habitats,” says cyclist Matthew Fischel. Don’t want to muddy your sneakers? Check out the auto tour:www.destateparks.com/greenway/trailguides/autotour/intro.htm

In Sussex County, the ¾-mile multi-use Gordons Pond trail begins at the state beach parking lot in Cape Henlopen State Park and ends at an observation platform with views of salt marsh and pine scrub. The trail also allows pedestrians to continue on a one-mile circle around the pond. Or try the shady Junction and Breakwater Trails. Learn more from the Division of Parks and Recreation: www.destateparks.com.     
—Katie Ginder-Vogel

 

 

 

Crazy for Earth Day
Ready to celebrate all things terrestrial? Earth Day may officially be April 22, but most events in Delaware are scheduled for April 19. Here’s a random sampling.

The Delaware Museum of Natural History will offer fun, eco-minded festivities to promote environmental awareness from 9:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Admission for adults is $6, admission for ages 3 to 17 is $5, seniors are free. For more, call 658-9111.

Party for the Planet at the Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington will feature live entertainment, games, stories, crafts and live animal presentations from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Admission for adults is $5, admission for children under 12 is $4. For more, call 571-7747.

The 17th annual Christina River Watershed Cleanup, from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m., is courtesy of The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and New Castle County. Registration is required. For more, call 838-1897.

The eighth annual Earth Day Festival at Killens Pond State Park near Felton is a family event with exhibits, face painting and crafts from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. For more, call 739-5361.

Earth Day Delight, from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. at Cape Henlopen State Park, is for families who enjoy nature walks. For more, call 645-8983. 

The annual Earth Day Beach Clean-Up at Fenwick Island State Park (11 a.m. till 3 p.m., April 20) is open to all, but groups of 10 or more should call ahead. For more, call 227-6991.

 

 
Children will enjoy the hands-on
activities at “Power Up at Hagley.”

Power Play
Have you ever seen a solar corn popper? Here’s your chance. Hagley Museum and Library joins forces with Power Up Gambia to present “Power Up at Hagley,” April 20, from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. Through exhibits and hands-on activities, the free event will bring heady concepts like renewable energies down to earth. Lots of Delaware kids who’ve been studying African culture will showcase artwork designed to raise awareness for energy needs of The Gambia in Western Africa. Dignitaries such as His Excellency Doubou Jagne, ambassador of The Gambia to the United States, will lecture. For more information, call 658-2230.

 

Photograph by Karen Gowen

The Rare Plant Auction at Longwood Gardens has been described as “the Holy Grail of rare plant auctions.” The 28th annual event will be held in the East Conservatory on April 26 at 6:30 p.m. It benefits the Delaware Center for Horticulture’s Community Greening Program, which sustains community gardening projects throughout Wilmington. Tickets are $100 to $200. Learn more at dehort.org, or call 658-6262.