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The Point at CHSP is closed from March through September to safeguard endangered beach-nesting birds. Your cooperation during this period is crucial to prevent nest abandonment and protect vulnerable eggs and chicks. Thank you for your understanding and support in preserving these precious species. DNREC Beach-Nesting Bird Program The Point at CHSP is closed from March through September to safeguard endangered beach-nesting birds. Your cooperation during this period is crucial to prevent nest abandonment and protect vulnerable eggs and chicks. Thank you for your understanding and support in preserving these precious species. Victoria Smith Threats to Birds Piping plovers, American oystercatchers, red knots, and least terns nest at the CHSP Point from March through September. While loss and degradation of habitat, climate change, and predators may contribute to the loss of chicks, human disturbance is also a factor and the reason the Point is closed during breeding months. American Oyster Catcher CHSP is an essential way point for these species to gain weight for migration to points as distant as the Arctic. The birds also are dependent upon the thousands of eggs produced by Delaware's beloved horseshoe crabs. DNREC Fish and Wildlife staff monitor the birds and take appropriate actions to help their breeding, such as installing exclosures around nests. To volunteer as a site monitor, complete this linked form . For more information about Delaware's beach nesting birds and DNREC's efforts to provide habitat protection, visit Beach-Nesting Birds . Terri Campbell Semipalmated Sandpiper

Cape Henlopen State Park is a treasure trove of joy, community, and natural beauty. Explore the stunning landscapes, from sandy beaches to lush forests, that invite you to connect with nature. Join fellow visitors in celebrating the vibrant community spirit that makes this park a beloved destination.  Photo Gallery Cape Henlopen State Park is a treasure trove of joy, community, and natural beauty. Explore the stunning landscapes, from sandy beaches to lush forests, that invite you to connect with nature. Join fellow visitors in celebrating the vibrant community spirit that makes this park a beloved destination.

2nd Annual Capturing the Cape a Digital Photography Contest Presented by the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park Cape Henlopen State Park is where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean – a placed filled with scenic beaches, coastal landscapes, historic landmarks, trails, and incredible wildlife. The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park together with Coastal Camera Club, Nations Photo Lab and Cape Henlopen State Park, invite photographers of all skill levels to share their view of the park through Capturing the Cape , our all-digital photography contest. Whether you’re capturing dramatic landscapes, wildlife, or quiet moments along the shoreline, this is you chance to showcase Cape Henlopen State Park through your lens. 2026 Categories Black & White – Open to any subject within the park and must be presented in black & white or monochrome and should emphasize contrast, texture, form, or pattern. Landscape / Flora – Scenic views, beaches, dunes, trails, and plant life. Wildlife – Birds, mammals, marine life, insects, and other wildlife. Prizes – which will be awarded in each category are: 1st Place - $100 ~ 2nd Place - $50 ~ 3rd Place - $25 CLICK HERE TO JOIN THE FUN!!!

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park supports the park through volunteer projects and fundraising events. We have a wide variety of programs, many of which are unique to the park's geographical location and the environmental diversity of the Cape Henlopen area. Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park Supporting and Advocating for Our Unique Public Park GET INVOLVED The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization that works with the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation and the staff to support and advocate for one of the country's unique public parks. Join Us: Become a Member Become a Member Anchor 1 FRIENDS ACTIVITIES Educational Grants Bike Barn Events Trail Maintenance and Beach Cleanup TEDI Grant Gardening Explore Opportunities VOLUNTEER TESTIMONIALS What Our Dedicated Volunteers Are Saying “I've had an amazing experience volunteering with FOCHSP. It's incredibly rewarding to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of such a beautiful park.” VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCES

Stay connected with Friends in the News—featuring notable updates, media mentions, achievements, and newsworthy highlights from our group. Friends In the News From memorable events to inspiring speakers, this page highlights what we’ve been up to—along with insights and resources we’re glad to share. Ospreys, The Iconic Birds of the Inland Bays On May 22, the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park welcomed Delaware Master Naturalist Jodi McLaughlin to the Biden Environmental Training Center for an engaging presentation, Ospreys: The Iconic Birds of the Inland Bays. Attendees enjoyed an inspiring look into the lives of the area’s osprey population, conservation efforts throughout Sussex County, and the importance of protecting local wildlife and habitats. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this memorable evening celebrating one of the Inland Bays’ most iconic birds. Annual Meeting The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park held their Annual Meeting on February 21 at the Biden Environmental Center. Members gathered for a productive session that included the election of the 2026 Board of Directors. Votes were cast to renew current board members Jeff Underwood (President), MJ Candaux (Merchandise), and Suzanne Langwell (Marketing and Media), and to confirm continued service of Tim McDermott and Susan Giordano following their mid-year appointments. Members also considered new nominees Tony Buffkin (Webmaster) and Becky Brasington Clark (Grants Committee). The meeting offered a valuable opportunity for members to engage in leadership decisions and reaffirm their commitment to the park. Winter Birds of Southern Delaware At our annual meeting, guest speaker Ian Stewart shared tips for supporting winter birds and highlighted his favorite birding spots in lower Delaware. To help birds in winter, provide food like black oil sunflower seeds, suet cakes, shel peanuts, and mealworms. Planting native wildflowers, such Purple Coneflower and Brown-eyed Susan, can also support local wildlife while offering seeds. Water is crucial; a bird bath with a heater can keep water accessible. For birdwatching, Cape Henlopen State Park and Indian River Inlet are standout locations for various species, including Snow Buntings and Great Cormorants.

Thank You For Your Vote Our Story Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what your team does, and what your site has to offer. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers, and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery, or video for even more engagement. Meet The Team Don Francis Founder & CEO Ashley Jones Tech Lead Tess Brown Office Manager Lisa Rose Product Manager Kevin Nye HR Lead Alex Young Customer Support Lead Our Clients

Stay informed with our calendar of events—view upcoming events, important dates, and key activities all in one place. June 2026 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 1 2 3 4 5 6 9:00 AM National Trails Day 7 8 9 10 7:00 PM FOCHSP Monthly Board Meeting 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 8:45 AM July Trails Day 12

Discover our exciting events happening throughout the year! There's always something going on, so come join the fun and make unforgettable memories with us! Events FOCHSP supports the Park with monthly Trails Days for clean-up and restoration and recruits volunteers to help with Parks events, including races, charitable walks, and seasonal activities for families and children. Annual special events promote public engagement and raise critical funds to support the Friends' activities. Upcoming Events National Trails Day Sat, Jun 06 Hawk Watch Pavilion More info Learn more FOCHSP Monthly Board Meeting Wed, Jun 10 Biden Environmental Center More info Learn more Multiple Dates July Trails Day Sat, Jul 11 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Multiple Dates August Trails Day Sat, Aug 08 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Annual Birdseed Sale, September 1-30 Tue, Sep 01 Seaside Nature Center More info Learn more Youth Fishing Tournament Sat, Sep 12 Cape Henlopen State Park Fishing Pier More info Learn more Delaware Coastal Cleanup Sat, Sep 19 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Chocolate Tasting Sat, Sep 19 Officers Club More info Learn more Multiple Dates October Trails Day Sat, Oct 10 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Birdseed Pick-up Sat, Oct 17 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Donation Drop-Off for Holiday Boutique and Book Sale Fri, Nov 13 Cape Henlopen State Park Officers Club More info Learn more Multiple Dates November Trails Day Sat, Nov 14 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Holiday Boutique and Book Sale Sat, Nov 14 Cape Henlopen Officers Club More info Learn more Giving Tuesday Tue, Dec 01 www.givingtuesday.org More info Learn more Multiple Dates December Trails Day Sat, Dec 12 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Multiple Dates January Trails Day Sat, Jan 09 Cape Henlopen State Park More info RSVP Recently Completed FOCHSP Speaker Series - Ospreys, The Iconic Birds of the Inland Bays Fri, May 22 Biden Environmental Training Center More info Details Multiple Dates May Trails Day Sat, May 09 Gordon's Pond Parking Lot More info Learn more Earth Day Annual Cleanup Wed, Apr 22 Johnnie Walker Beach More info Details Wine, Cheese, and Beer Tasting Sat, Apr 18 Cape Henlopen State Park Officers Club, Queens Rd, Lewes, DE 19958 More info Details FOCHSP Annual Meeting Sat, Feb 21 Biden Environmental Center More info Details

Enjoy the beauty of the park with the FOCHSP's two live-feed bird cameras! Experience nature in real time and stay connected with the vibrant environment around you. Bird Cams Enjoy the beauty of the park with the FOCHSP's two live-feed bird cameras! Experience nature in real time and stay connected with the vibrant environment around you. Happy viewing! Osprey Cam A new tower and nesting platform were installed in the park during the spring of 2023. In March 2025, Tri-State Tree Service, and Jodi McLaughlin, Delaware Master Naturalist, and Friends, cleaned and upgraded the Osprey Cam with a new protective cover. For more information about Osprey behavior and migration, visit the Cornell Lab . Nature Center Cam Enjoy a few minutes watching the variety of birds visiting this feeder. You might even see a turkey or a deer or two.

FOCHSP has funded numerous projects and upgrades such as revitalizing the Disc Golf Course, enhancing the playground, improving road surfaces, and much more. Completed Projects The FOCHSP has funded numerous projects and upgrades such as revitalizing the Disc Golf Course, enhancing the playground, improving road surfaces, and much more. These investments aim to create a better experience for everyone in the park, ensuring our recreational spaces are enjoyable and accessible. We are committed to continuous improvement and look forward to more developments in the future. Thank you for your ongoing support! CHSP Disc Golf Course Upgrade The Cape Henlopen Disc Golf course has undergone a major transformation thanks to an effort between Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, dedicated state park staff, and passionate local disc golfers. The upgrades include brand-new white tee pads, improved signage, and updated disc golf baskets, enhancing the overall experience for players. As one of the oldest disc golf courses in world, this revitalization ensures that it remains a great destination for enthusiasts of all ages. Come and enjoy the newly improved course and experience the thrill of disc golf in a beautiful location! Want to learn more about disc golf? Check out this information sheet as well as the course map . CHSP Playground The FOCHSP has dedicated proceeds from its fundraising efforts over several years toward this important project. With generous assistance from foundations and the Community Transportation Fund, groundbreaking for the playground took place in October 2011 and was ultimately completed and dedicated in August 2012. The FOCHSP has recently funded a new Ladybug Spring Rider and a Noodle Climber, adding even more excitement to our play area! Park Beach Wagon In 2022, FOCHSP proudly funded the acquisition of a new 18-foot beach wagon, equipped with seatbelts and a wheelchair lift. This addition enhances accessibility and provides an enjoyable and enriching experience. Experience the beauty of the park on the new all-abilities beach wagon . Keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins and other wildlife that may join you on this unforgettable adventure. Additional FOCHSP Park Projects FOCHSP is dedicated to enhancing Cape Henlopen State Park through vital funding for repairs and improvements. Recent projects include repairing the surface of Transmitter Road, installing a drinking fountain at the playground, purchasing cameras for the fishing pier, and providing beach mobility mats for greater accessibility. Additionally, we sponsor the purchase of pumpkins to enrich the Fall Fantasy Trail experience. Together, we're making our parks more enjoyable for everyone!

The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (CHHW) invites bird enthusiasts and nature lovers to visit us from September 1 to November 30 each year. Experience the beauty of migratory birds as they soar through the skies above Cape Henlopen. Hawk Watch The Cape Henlopen Hawk Watch (CHHW) invites bird enthusiasts and nature lovers to visit us from September 1 to November 30 each year. Experience the beauty of migratory birds as they soar through the skies above Cape Henlopen. Operation CHHW is organized under the Hawk Migration Association of North America . Volunteers, many of them members of the Sussex Bird Club , count and report the number of migrating raptors that pass by Cape Henlopen State Park. A professional raptor counter is also present most days. Detailed information about our recent counts may be found here . Raptor information . Friends members support the Hawk Watch by volunteering their time. We are always looking for more people to come learn, enjoy, and help. No experience is necessary. The Hawk Watch operates under a Fish and Wildlife grant that is contingent, in part, on the Hawk Watch’s ability to solicit volunteer hours.