One of the most popular parks in Delaware could be offering visitors something new – costing over $4 million.
Fourteen new cabins have been proposed at Lums Pond State Park just north of the Summit Bridge at 1068 Howell School Road, Bear. While called cabins, the structures will be similar to small houses, with two or three bedrooms, a kitchen and one or two bathrooms, but they will be built on pilings.
Now at the park, visitors have to bring their own tents or recreational vehicles to camp with the exception of one rental yurt, a round structure with canvas walls with a double bed and single bed bunked together and a double bed-sized futon. The park had two yurts, but one was damaged during a storm.
Cabins are a win-win for visitors and the state because people have requested them, and cabin rentals help fund park operations, said Shauna McVey, community relations coordinator for the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation.
“There is interest in additional cabins statewide based on Delaware State Parks user surveys, especially at Lums Pond as there were no existing full-service cabins at the park and there is no other public campground in New Castle County,” said McVey. “Popularity for camping statewide has grown over the last few years, especially at Lums Pond with the addition of full-hook up campsites, a new bathroom and a camp store several years ago.”
Other state parks that offer cabins or cottages are Killens Pond, Trap Pond, Cape Henlopen and Indian River Marina.
The 12 cottages at the state’s Indian River Marina brought in about $700,000 in rental fees last year. While those lodgings are near the beaches, the occupancy rate at Lums Pond cabins are still expected to be 70% to 80% based on usage of similar cabins at other state parks and the number of visitors.
More parks to see:Delaware Seashore State Park guide: 5 things to do, admission, eats and more
Lums Pond was Delaware’s fifth most popular state park in the 2022 fiscal year, with nearly 570,000 visits. Among the regular events in the area that often attract campers are University of Delaware home football games. The park also hosts remote-control model airplane and aircraft gatherings and fishing tournaments that draw campers.
Project schedule and costs
The cabins will be built in phases. The number in the first phase will depend on the bids received.
The project is in the final review process with New Castle County.
Construction could start this fall with the first cabins ready by summer 2025.
Along with installation of utilities and the cabins, the project includes road work, construction of parking areas and rerouting trails.
The state has allocated $4 million for the project, and the division of parks and recreation is researching Land and Water Conservation Funds with up to a 50% match for an additional $4 million, but the final costs won’t be known until the bids are received.
What can you do at Lums Pond State Park?
Fishing
Lums Pond is the largest fresh water pond in Delaware. Fish include bluegill, crappie, perch, pickerel and largemouth bass. Striped bass are stocked periodically. Fishing permits are required for Delaware residents ages 16 to 64 inclusive, and for non-residents 16 and older.
More fishing news:Freshwater trout fishing season to start in New Castle County
Boating
You can bring your boat and launch it at the boat ramp or two piers. For boat rules and size restrictions, see the boating section of the park’s website.
Rentals are available but the renter must be at least 18:
- canoes, $9/hour or $45/day
- pedal boats, $7/half-hour or $11/hour
- kayaks, single, $10/hour or $50/day; tandem, $12/hour or $60/day
- rowboats, $8/hour or $40/day
- paddle boards, $16/hour or $80/day.
Rental hours:
- In May before Memorial Day weekend and in September after Labor Day, hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, hours Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., but from mid-August to Labor Day on Saturday and Sunday the closing time is 7:30 p.m.
- Closed October through April.
Hiking, biking and horseback riding
For hiking, biking and horseback riding, the Little Jersey Trail is an 8.1 mile loop on a packed earth surface, but isn’t handicapped accessible. Starting points include near the Nature Center, the Buck Jersey Road parking lot and the boat launch parking lot off Red Lion Road.
For hiking and biking only, the Swamp Forest Trail is a 6.8-mile loop that’s handicapped accessible with a combination of packed earth, crushed stone, boardwalks and bridges. Starting points include near the Nature Center, Buck Jersey Road parking lot and the boat launch parking lot off Red Lion Road.
For hiking only, the Sensory Loop is one-tenth of a mile, handicapped accessible boardwalk trail, starting near the Nature Center.
Zipline adventures
The Go Ape Zipline and Adventure Park is operated by a private company in the park. For a fee, visitors can see the park from the treetops. Courses include rope ladders, treetops crossings, a Tarzan swing and ziplines over the pond. For information and reservations, see the Go Ape website.
Camping
The newly-renovated campground offers sites for a fee for recreational vehicles with three-point hookups for water, electric and sewer as well as campsites without hookups. Bring your own tents. For reservations, rules and fees, see the camping section of the parks website.
A yurt, a round structure with canvas walls, can be rented with a double bed and single bed bunked together, a double bed-sized futon, outdoor seating area and deck.
Nature center
The nature center features information about the park’s plants and wildlife, live reptiles in tanks and a 500-gallon freshwater aquarium exhibit with fish that are native to the pond.
Picnics
Picnic tables, pavilions and barbecue grills are available in each of the park’s five main areas. Each area includes restrooms and has either a pavilion to rent, picnic areas that are available for reservations, picnic areas that are available on a first-come, first-served basis, or a combination.
Alcohol is permitted in cans or bottles. Keg beer is not allowed.
Sports courts and facilities
Disc golf – For the 18-hole course, bring your Frisbee or other flying disc. The “holes” are metal wire baskets on poles with vertical chains that stop the disc and hopefully allow it to fall into the basket to complete the hole. It’s free.
Football, soccer, softball, and cricket fields – Available to rent at the park office for a $50 fee.
Tennis courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts and horseshoe pits – Open for free, first-come, first-served. Equipment for horseshoes, volleyball, and softball may be rented for $25 during the summer season.
The renter must be at least 18 years of age and present a valid driver’s license.
Summer day camps
Summer day camps for children fill up fast. A variety of programs are offered such as “Fish, Fish, Fish,” “Outdoor Survivors” and “Wildlife Ranger Adventures.”
Special events
The park hosts guided tours and special events such as “Lums Pond Trail Days” Sunday, March 26 at 10 a.m. and “Dip-Netting Discovery” Sunday, April 2 at 11 a.m. The programs are free with park admission but may require registration in advance.
Remote-control model airplane and aircraft events are held periodically, as are fishing tournaments. Some are private and some are open to the public.
Can I bring my pet?
Pets are allowed but must be on leashes, except in the dog park.
Admission fees, hours and contact information
Entrance fee: $4 for in-state vehicles, $8 for out-of-state vehicles, March 1 to Nov. 30. Free from Dec. 1 to the end of February.
Annual passes, good at all state parks: $35 for in-state vehicles, $70 for out-of-state vehicles; discount price for in-state residents age 62 and over, $18, and out-of-state residents age 62 and over, $35; low-income families receiving assistance, $10; military personnel, Delaware residents, $17.50; military non-resident but stationed in Delaware, $35; honorably discharged resident who served in southwest Asia during Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom, free.
Lifetime pass: in-state residents 65 and over, $65.
Park address: 1068 Howell School Road, Bear
Website: https://destateparks.com/pondsrivers/LumsPond
Phone number: 302-368-6989.
Operating hours: Open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset.
Park office hours: April through October, daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; November through March, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nature Center hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 12-4 p.m.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate and development stories. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.
