After nearly 10 years of and $10 million, construction has been completed on upgrades to the north and south sections of the Delaware Seashore State Park at the Indian River Inlet.A brand new campground on the north side is the final major piece finished, with 80 full hookup RV camp sites, new bathhouses, playgrounds and other amenities.
Work on the south side - delayed by 2013’s winter weather - is also done. It now has 145 RV hookups, 6 full service hookups, 41 tent sites and 94 campsites, along with more new bathhouses and more.
Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ray Bivens said the new infrastructure will accommodate thousands of tourists this summer, but it’s the park’s connectedness that is its greatest improvement.
“People on the south side can walk across the bridge, come through the promenade on the north side, and they can through the marina, have dinner or lunch at Hammerheads, and even go all the way out to Burton’s Island and Nature Preserve," said Bivens.
"You can do it by bike, it’s a great loop," he added, "especially in the evening with the bridge all lit and shining and blue.”
And by day, that connected web of easily-accessed walkways will direct tourists from campgrounds to beaches under the shadow of the Indian River Inlet Bridge.
The upgrades were necessary to replace infrastructure removed during the construction of the new bridge that crosses the mouth of the river, a much agreed upon upgrade over its predecessor.
Bivens said the changes to the park will definitely be a boost to the state’s $2.2 billion per year tourism industry - the fourth largest industry statewide.
“It’s the largest campground we have in our state park system, and it’s going to be the most popular campground, I believe, because it’s got full hook-ups on that north side, it’s a great design. It’s great to see the whole project done.”
Tourism officials are hoping for a repeat of last year’s strong summer season, fueled by people anxious to get out looked after a harsh winter.