Trap Pond officially became Delaware’s first state park in 1951, and its biggest draw at that time, arguably, was swimming.
In the era of segregation, there were two swimming areas at the park. White people swam in front of where the Baldcypress Nature Center is now, while Black people swam on the other side, at Jason Beach.
Jason Beach was a special gathering place for Black residents in the ’50s and ’60s, and likely earlier, as well. It was used for church services, baptisms, picnics and other social events. A historical marker was placed there earlier this year.
In the 1960s and ’70s, the Red Cross brought hundreds of children to Trap Pond for free swimming lessons each summer.
Bacteria levels at Trap Pond were concerning, though, as early as the 1980s. When the pond was closed to swimmers for a few days in 1989 due to bacteria levels, a spokesperson for the park said “several hundred” people were swimming there most summer weekends.
