Delaware's Bayshore Byway Planning & Management

CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

This section is primarily meant for participants assisting Delaware Greenways in developing the Corridor Management Plan for Delaware's Bayshore Byway. All visitors are welcome however, and we would love to hear any comments you may have about Route Nine and any experiences you may have had in your travels up and down. Contact us at greenways@delawaregreenways.org.

Summary:

CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

Developing the concept of the Byway was strongly governed by the vision of key stakeholders for the area. The coastal towns wanted to enhance their economic viability by very selectively developing tourist attractions that are in alignment with their history and their future vision for the area. Many of the large landowners wanted to keep the area "as is", maintaining the existing roadside and community character. The State and Federal agencies responsible for managing the public lands wanted to enhance public access and use of natural areas in ways that are compatible with protecting sensitive habitats and wildlife.  All members of the Planning Advisory Team strongly supported keeping (and enhancing) the Byway experience as "the road less traveled".

In working with the various stakeholders the Discovery Zone concept was developed. Discovery Zones direct enhancements and activity to areas capable and desirous of supporting eco-tourism activity while maintaining the byway character. For the visitor, Route 9 serves two purposes. First, it is the Byway spine, providing access and directing activity into ten Discovery Zones.  Second, it offers a quiet journey back to a less developed time with many natural and historic scenic vistas from its pastoral roadside. Discovery Zones are small towns and natural areas of concentrated attractions and potential new enhancements. The Discovery Zones are listed below with their major venues.

1.  New Castle:  Includes the City of New Castle, the New Castle Historic District and Historic Penn Farm
2.  Delaware City:  Includes Delaware City, Fort Delaware and Pea Patch Island, Fort DuPont and the C & D Canal
3.  Port Penn/Augustine:  Includes Augustine Wildlife Area and the Village of Port Penn
4.  Odessa:  Includes the Town of Odessa and the Odessa Historic District
5.  Cedar Swamp/Blackbird Creek:  Includes the Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area and Blackbird Creek Reserve
6.  Woodland Beach:  Includes Woodland Beach Wildlife Area and the Village of Woodland Beach
7.  Bombay Hook:  Includes the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
8.  Leipsic:  Includes the Town of Leipsic and the Leipsic River
9.  Little Creek:  Includes the Little Creek Wildlife Area, Town of Little Creek, Port Mahon and Pickering Beach
10.  St. Jones Neck:  Includes St. Jones Reserve, John Dickinson Plantation, Ted Harvey Wildlife Area and the Village of Kitts Hummock

The CMP consists of five chapters designed to highlight why the Byway stands apart and how to maintain and enhance its uniqueness.

In Chapter 2, titled, "Describing the Byway Corridor", the Byway story unfolds.  It recounts how nature shaped this region and the history of those who lived and worked here. It also describes the significance of the legacy and the foresight of Delaware’s leaders and the people who make this area so special who gave us the gift of the Delaware Bayshore and the Byway that connects it.

The Byway and its spurs cover a length of 57 miles.  While there are many common features of the Byway and the Bayshore, each of the communities and natural areas has a different personality with unique features, stories and individual considerations.  Chapter 3, titled, "Introducing Delaware's Bayshore Initative and the Byway's Discovery Zones", introduces both the State's Bayshore Initiative and the concept of the Discovery Zones. It also tells the story of each Discovery Zone and the aspirations each of the Discovery Zones are pursuing and seek to pursue independent of and along with the Byway.

The agencies of state and county government have responsibilities for elements of the byway corridor and have tools that influence the Byway region and contribute to the way it is today.  By identifying these tools and how they can be used to preserve the Byway and the Bayshore, the Byway Management Entity can better implement its recommendations partly in coordination with these key stakeholders.  Chapter 4, titled "Examining the Corridor Context", outlines these tools and summarizes the conditions of the Byway.

Chapter 5, titled "Preserving and Enhancing the Byway", considers the vision, mission, goals and challenges outlined in the previous chapters and develops strategies and recommendations to address each.   From the recommendations and strategies, a priority action list assigns implementation responsibilities along with a timeline.