DNREC’s Yearly Closing Of The Point In Cape Henlopen

DNREC to close The Point in Cape Henlopen State Park

LEWES, Del. –The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park, including a stretch of ocean beach and dunes, and a half-mile along the bay shoreline, will close Sunday, March 1, for the benefit of threatened and endangered beachnesters and migratory shorebirds, including red knot, piping plovers, oystercatchers, least terns, and other species.

American Oystercatchers hunting for sand fleas

The Point’s nesting habitat on the ocean side will reopen Sept. 1. The bayside beach will remain closed until Oct. 1 for use by shorebirds migrating south for the winter.  

The point shot from above by Ron MacArthur

DNREC’s Divisions of Parks & Recreation, Fish & Wildlife, and Watershed Stewardship have worked together since 1990 to implement a management plan to halt the decline of beachnester and migratory shorebird populations. The Point has been closed annually since 1993. 

Sailing, horse and carriage, beach combing and surf fishing … all on one beach the point

For more information, contact Cape Henlopen State Park at 302-645-8983 or stop by the Park Office.

The point in Cape Henlopen State Park as seen from the International Space Station … photo courtesy of NASA