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Kent County’s parks, trails and outdoor spaces are the perfect way to get outdoors and boost your health—mental and physical.
Getting outdoors in Kent County is a safe way to get some fresh air and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Whether your form of recreation is taking a brisk walk through the woods or shooting hoops solo at the basketball court, these Kent County parks and outdoor spots will keep you moving throughout the season.
Browns Branch
1415 Killens Pond Road, Harrington
Enjoy access to public restrooms, fitness stations, walking paths, horseshoes, sand volleyball, sports fields, a picnic area and outdoor grills. The walking paths include a 0.3-mile-long nature trail and a 1.1-mile-long boundary loop in open field and forested scenery. There are three adult softball fields and three multipurpose fields available to rent.
For more information, visit co.kent.de.us/parks-recreation/browns-branch-county-park.aspx
Killens Pond
5025 Killens Pond Road, Felton
Killens Pond State Park offers several activities, including a 2.6-mile-long pondside trail, fishing, picnic areas, playgrounds, pavilions, sports fields, camping and a nature center. Through April, check out various educational events at the nature center on weekdays. The nature trails remain available for hiking, biking and running. Other sporting venues include large ball fields, game courts and 18-hole disc golf courses. Camping and cabin rentals are available throughout the year but may have limited availability.
Fees: In state | $4 Daily Out of state | $8 Daily
For more information, visit destateparks.com/PondsRivers/KillensPond
Brecknock Park
80 Old Camden Road, Camden
Brecknock Park offers many amenities, including a public restroom, sand volleyball, playgrounds, horseshoes, multiple trails, pavilions with grills, sports and multipurpose fields, a nature center, field rentals and a stage. One nature trail is a 0.9-mile loop and the other is 0.8 miles long and leads to the playground at W.B. Simpson Elementary.
For more information, visit co.kent.de.us/parks-recreation.aspx
Hunn Nature Park
1624 Sorghum Mill Road, Dover
Hunn Nature Park offers a 1.5-mile-long nature trail that is easily accessible and usable for all skill levels. The trail is often used for hiking, walking pets and nature trips. The route is a loop covered in an array of scenery from cattails to forestry.
For more information, visit co.kent.de.us/parks-recreation.aspx
Little Creek Wildlife Area
3018 Bayside Dr., Dover
Little Creek is a primary destination for public hunting and fishing with over 4,700 acres worth of natural land, including tidal marsh, forest and agricultural fields. There is a dog park to allow for off-leash exercise for pets large and small. The grounds are frequently used for crabbing and birdwatching. Permits are required to hunt wildlife.
For more information, visit visitdelaware.com/listings/little-creek-wildlife-area/2410/
Kesselring Park
1683 New Burton Road, Dover
Kesselring Park offers a wide-open space for activities including walking, running, sports and other means of exercise. Walking trails, a turf field and multipurpose fields are available for public use and for rent. The park’s recreational center was closed temporarily at press time.
For more information, visit co.kent.de.us/parks-recreation.aspx
Schutte Park
10 Electric Ave., Dover
Schutte Park is 71 acres of outdoor space, including playgrounds for ages 3 to 12, pavilions, walking trails, a cross-country trail, four softball fields with lights, and 10 multipurpose fields. The walking and cross-country trails run through wooded and elevated areas. The park also features a small pond.
For more information, visit cityofdover.com/schutte-park
Dover Park
1210 White Oak Road, Dover
Dover Park is the only park in the area with three public tennis courts. The park also has a softball field, multipurpose field, two basketball courts and a disc golf course. Besides athletics, the park offers two pavilions, picnic areas, walking paths, fishing areas and children’s playgrounds. The park leaves plenty of room for safe outdoor gatherings and physical activity.
For more information, visit cityofdover.com/parks-listing
First State Heritage Park
102 S. State St., Dover
First State Heritage Park is more than just a large green space for picnics or strolls—it also continues to offer a series of events for visitors. The first Saturday of each month, the park replaces its usual Market Fair with a variation of performers and other special programming. On first Saturdays, the Biggs Museum of American Art allows free admission. There are also historical walking tours of the buildings throughout the park on Wednesdays through Saturdays until 3 p.m. Some of the other historic buildings on the property include the John Bell House, Legislative Hall and Old State House. Check out the Victrola Museum, dedicated to the history of the recording industry.
For more information, visit destateparks.com/History/FirstStateHeritage
Silver Lake
300 Washington St., Dover
Silver Lake consists of 182 acres of open and forested land for picnicking, walking, exercising and fishing. The park has two pavilions and three grills for safe outdoor social gatherings. The playground equipment is for kids ages 2 to 12. There is a boat ramp available, as well as bridges to access fishing areas with largemouth bass, carp, crappie, striped bass, white perch, bluegill, catfish and others. The walking trail is long enough to jog but short enough to enjoy a leisurely trip by the lake.
For more information, visit cityofdover.com/silver-lake
Fork Branch Nature Preserve
2373 Kenton Road, Dover
Fork Branch Nature Preserve contains a 1.1-mile loop that is mostly wooded. The fairly flat gravel path travels through marsh land and over bridges. The site is popular as a home to barreled owls, a species with conservation concern due to dwindling floodplains in Delaware.
Several bird species may be spotted in the nature preserve, from said owls to red-shouldered hawks and pileated woodpeckers.
For more information, visit visitdelawarevillages.com/directory/fork-branch-nature-preserve/
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
2591 Whitehall Neck Road, Smyrna
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge consists of six walking and driving trails to view the wildlife firsthand. Wildlife Drive is a 12-mile, vehicle-accessible trail that diverges into five other trails to explore the salt marshes and woodlands. The Raymond Tower trail is only a quarter mile long, but it includes an observation tower that stands 30 feet tall. This trail is recommended for walking only. The boardwalk trail over the salt marsh is one of two handicap-accessible trails at a quarter mile long. The 1-mile-long Parson’s Point trail follows freshwater marsh and forest. Bear Swamp trail, also a quarter mile, is handicap-accessible. This path has another observation tower, as well as a floating platform. Lastly, the Shearness Tower trail is a quarter-mile-long trek with another observation tower. These trails are great for walking, running and biking. Fishing or crabbing from the refuge lands is prohibited.
For more information, visit fws.gov/refuge/Bombay_Hook/
Big Oak Park
417 Big Oak Road, Smyrna
This 90-acre park consists of two space-themed playgrounds, a rock-climbing wall and pavilions with public grills. The public restrooms are open enclosed next to the pavilions. The park shares residency with the Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation. The foundation offers many educational opportunities revolving around science, space, technology, engineering, Earth’s environment and mathematics. A schedule of activities is available at dasef.org. The foundation is also home to a Galaxy Garden with a walkway and benches. The walking trail for the park is 1.1 miles long and goes through a conservation area with a riverside and boardwalk, with both forested and open spaces. There are several softball and multipurpose fields for recreational use.
For more information, visit co.kent.de.us/parks-recreation.aspx
Woodland Beach
100 Beach Ave., Smyrna
Woodland Beach is great for a relaxing trip outside. Along with the beach view, there is a pier for fishing and crabbing, plus a boat ramp. Some fish commonly found, varying by season, include croaker, catfish, striped bass, bluefish, spot, white perch, dogfish, skates, rays, sharks and occasionally carp. The beach also has a walkway along the coastline. A small gazebo and benches can be found along the walkway. Back inland on the other side of the parking lot is a pond and field for other outdoor activities.
For more information, visit woodlandbeach.net
George C. Wright Jr. Municipal Park
502 N. Main St., Smyrna
The park across the street from North Smyrna Elementary School is popular in the community for its multiple playgrounds, swing sets, skate park, pavilions, grills, two basketball courts, two softball fields, a football field, public restrooms and picnic tables. The sports fields are often occupied by local teams, but they are available for public use when not occupied. The skate park is outdoors as well but separated from the park and fenced in. Throughout the year, the park hosts carnivals, live performances and movie nights.
For more information, visit smyrna.delaware.gov/george-c-wright-jr-municipal-park
Lebanon Landing
1400 Sorghum Mill Road, Dover
The scenic area allows easy access to a boat ramp and piers for fishing and crabbing. The convenient roadside park also has picnic tables.
