Milford chronicle., 1960-08-19
New Records Are Set
At State Beach Sites

The recreation areas operated by
the State Highway Department,
along the water front, south OF
Dewey Beach, are establishing new
records this year for the number
Of persons who are enjoying these
facilities.
At the present time, during week
days, an average Of 1900 persons
are to be found in the tenting area,
maintained at the ocean front along
Key Box Road, while several thou
sand other persons can be obseTseu
at the specially prepared Daerlns
areas. along Rehoboth Bay az paw
age Ditch. and along the ocean, just
south of Indian River Inlet
During week-ends overhowing
oanacitv crowds are assembled at
ali of these places and many others
arc turned away because of the ac-
commodations all being occupied.
Last year more than 10000 per-
sons were accommodated at the
tenting area along Key Box Road
and present indications are that
this number will be about doubled
this year, with the additional per-
sons using the facilities at Savage
Ditch and south of the Inlet, ex-
pected to equal that number.
Due to weather conditions exist
ing during the month of May, the
use of these facilities got off to a
slow start but by the time the end
of June arrived, everything was be-
ing filled to capacity during the
week-ends.
The Fourth of July holiday saw
all of the facilities extended be-
yond their capacity. Occupants Of
the tenting area overflowed into ad-
jacent areas and some tenters used
the area surrounding the facilities
at Savage Ditch and the Indian
River Inlet recreation area.
officials in charge of the project
for the State Highway Department
have decided not to permit this
condition to be in operation. again
because of the inability to have
these extended tenting areas prop
erly supervised.
AS has been their custom the
State Highway Department had a
number of improvements made at
the Key Box Road tenting area
during the past winter. The number
of tenting areas was increased from
312 to 436.
Each tenting area is capable of
providing for a tent suitable for
use OF up to eight persons. A NOM
inal renting fee is charged for the
use of these spaces. The drinking
water capacity was increased and
the toilet facilities and garbage dis
posal units were increased.
At the Savage Ditch area, where
formerly a hugo pavilion for family
4 use was erected, the paved parking
area was increased in size to pro-
vide for more than 500 cars.
The recreation area south of the
Indian River Inlet is new this year.
A huge pavilion has been erected on
the area and paved parking area
to provide for more than 700 cars
was constructed. This area is now
filled to capacity almost daily.
The Savage Ditch recreation
area, located on Rehoboth Bay, pro-
vides excellent bathing facilities for
children because the water depth
is not great for several hundred
feet from shore and as a result it
has become a popular family outing
area.
The recreation area south of In
dian River Inlet provides for ocean
bathing along a nice beach area. 1t
is used by many persons desiring a
days outing at the water front.
Life guards are provided in pairs
at the bathing areas in operation
along the ocean at Key Box Road,
Towers Road, and the Indian Riv-
er Inlet recreation area.
The State Highway Department,
which department has control over
the public lands in Delaware, makes
a study Of the operations and ac-
tivities at these recreation areas
each summer with a view towards
making needed changes and i'm
provements for the next season.
All proceeds from the tenting area
rentals, above the needed oper-
ating expenses, is used for i'm
proving the recreation areas.
Records reveal that persons from
many points make use of the rec
reational facilities provided by the
state at these waterfront installa-
tions.
n