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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.

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.

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

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

Bike Barn Ambassadors help park visitors select bikes, adjust seat heights, provide route recommendations, and more. If you’re interested in becoming a member of our volunteer cadre, please contact us using the form on the web page. Bike Barn Volunteers Become a Bike Barn Volunteer! We couldn’t operate the free Borrow-a-Bike program without the terrific support of our Bike Barn Ambassador team. Bike Barn Ambassadors help park visitors select bikes, adjust seat heights, provide route recommendations, and more. If you’re interested in becoming a member of our volunteer cadre, please contact us using the form below. Please note: You must be a member of the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP) to volunteer with us. First Name Last Name Email Subject Message Send Thanks for your inquiry!

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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 Multiple Dates August Trails Day: PLEASE NOTE EARLIER START TIME Sat, Aug 08 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more August Members' Social Thu, Aug 13 Main Beach Pavilion, near the Hawk Watch More info Buy Tickets Delaware Coastal Cleanup Sat, Sep 19 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more Chocolate Tasting Sat, Sep 19 Officers Club More info Buy Tickets Multiple Dates October Trails Day Sat, Oct 10 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 Multiple Dates July Trails Day: NOTE EARLIER START TIME Sat, Jul 11 Cape Henlopen State Park More info Learn more FOCHSP Monthly Board Meeting Wed, Jul 08 Biden Environmental Center More info Details FOCHSP Monthly Board Meeting Wed, Jun 10 Biden Environmental Center More info Learn more National Trails Day Sat, Jun 06 Hawk Watch Pavilion More info Learn more FOCHSP Speaker Series - Ospreys, The Iconic Birds of the Inland Bays Fri, May 22 Biden Environmental Training Center More info Details 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

year at a glance calendar 2026 Calendar of Events May 15 - July 31 - 2nd Annual Capturing the Cape, a Digital Photography Contest Wednesday, July 8 - Board Meeting Saturday, September 19 - Delaware Coastal Cleanup Saturday, September 19 - Chocolate Tasting Saturday, November 14 - Holiday Boutique and Book Fair Tuesday, December 1 - Giving Tuesday FOCHSP Trails Days Free Borrow-a-Bike Program Monthly Board Meetings Prior Events Wednesday, April 22 - Earth Day Annual Community Cleanup Saturday, April 18 - Wine, Cheese & Beer Tasting Saturday, March 21 - Flea Market Saturday, February 21, Annual Meeting Saturday, June 6 - National Trails Day Wednesday, June 10 - Board Meeting Questions? Call us at 302-858-6127

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP), in partnership with the Coastal Camera Club, Nations Photo Lab, and Cape Henlopen State Park, sponsored "Capturing Cape Henlopen"—a digital photography contest. Capturing the Cape Photo Contest Winners To honor the beauty of our treasured natural space and inspire creative expression, the Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (FOCHSP), in partnership with the Coastal Camera Club, Nations Photo Lab, and Cape Henlopen State Park, sponsored "Capturing Cape Henlopen"—a digital photography contest inviting visitors to showcase the park’s splendor through their lens. Congratulations to the winners and everyone who submitted a photograph! Category: Park Wildlife First Place: John Hoyt, Cedar Waxwing Second Place: Linda Benzon, Neighborly Third Place: Samantha Scullen, Boisterous Bird Category: Scenic and Landscape First Place: Jim Cotter, Silent Sentinels Second Place: Rich White, Herring Point Sunrise Third Place: Marian Dowling, Overlooking the Point Category: Flora and Fauna First Place: Beth Baker, Summer Sundews Second Place: Victoria Smith, Monarch Caterpillar in Biden Center Monarch Garden Third Place: Clarissa Pogoda, In Bloom Click to enlarge. John Hoyt, Cedar Waxwing Jim Cotter, Silent Sentinels Beth Baker, Summer Sundews Linda Benzon, Neighborly Rich White, Herring Point Sunrise Victoria Smith, Monarch Caterpillar in the Biden Center Monarch Garden Samatha Scullen, Boisterous Bird Marian Dowling, Overlooking the Point Clarissa Pogoda, In Bloom

Donate a bike! Donate a Bike Have a Bike You no Longer Need? Clean out your garage and support the Park at the same time! Donated bikes are sold through our Bikes for Sale program, with proceeds supporting the free Borrow-a-Bike program. FOCHSP welcomes donations of bikes for adults and children in rideable condition—minimal rust, good tires and tubes, and working brakes and shifters (no adult trikes or tandem bikes please). Bring your donation to the Bike Barn next to the Nature Center Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (weather permitting, call 302-645-6852 to confirm hours). Donations delivered after hours can be left in the rack on the right-hand side of the Barn; our volunteers will secure them the next day. Charitable donation receipts provided on request. Thanks for your support!

Thank you for your contributions to FOCHSP! Your donations played a vital role in creating the playground, enhancing the disc golf course, installing the Osprey and Nature Center cameras, and developing the Nature Center and Monarch gardens, among other projects. Every donation is tax-deductible and truly appreciated, helping us continue our mission to support the park. Donations Thank you for your contributions to FOCHSP! Your donations played a vital role in creating the playground, enhancing the disc golf course, installing the Osprey and Nature Center cameras, and developing the Nature Center and Monarch gardens, among other projects. Every donation is tax-deductible and truly appreciated, helping us continue our mission to support the park. Support Our Cause First name Last name Email Purpose: Bike Barn Fishing Tournament Thatcher Education Fund Youth Educational Support (YES) Other: Please Specify Below Greatest Need Comments Enter the amount you wish to donate: $ Next Be sure to scroll down on the Payment Details screen to enter city and zip code.