Rehoboth Beach’s Grove Park Canal Access Project Receives $300,000 Grant

Aug 14, 2018

After seven years in the making, The Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Improvement Association (LRCIA) is pleased to announce that a project for a future public dock proximal to Grove Park and the Rehoboth Beach Museum is still on course and has recently received a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant in the amount of $300,000 from the Delaware Department of Transportation.  This project will enable safe, public water access to the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. 

In November 2011, a feasibility report conducted by Delaware-based Landscape Architectural Services, LLC and RK&K concluded that a Rehoboth Beach Dock could be built to satisfy all government and public codes and verified the following: 

  • The development plan could provide access to the canal via a pier and dock that accommodates two 30’ pontoon boats and kayak/canoe launch.
  • The terminus design is ADA compliant.
  • The terminus design ties into the existing Rehoboth Beach Museum site and complements its existing architecture.
  • The terminus will create a western “gateway” to the city of Rehoboth Beach and better connect it to Lewes and Dewey Beach among other towns along Southern Delaware’s intercoastal waterway.

In its July 20th Commissioner Meeting, the City of Rehoboth Beach committed $20,000 towards project permitting moving forward.  Mayor Paul Kuhns says, “I am so pleased, that this project is finally getting off the ground.  It fits right in with the Rehoboth Beach Comprehensive Development Plan and will enhance the Gateway into Rehoboth Beach giving new life to the west end of the City.” The overall project has an estimated price tag of $850,000.  In addition to grants provided by the State of Delaware and municipal support, the LRCIA is looking to fundraise from area residents and businesses to keep this project on the schedule leading to construction as early as the fall of 2019.

LRCIA President Pat Coluzzi also weighed in by saying, “This project provides a wonderful opportunity as an alternative from getting to Rehoboth Beach from Lewes and vice versa, not to mention removing cars from the road.  Many visitors and residents will get to experience a beautiful and tranquil part of our area which has not been readily accessible in the past.”

The LRCIA is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization with no paid staff. It is composed of a board of directors active in promoting the communities of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.   Its mission is to improve the appearance and functionality of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal corridor in order to better serve residents and visitors to the Cape Region of Delaware.

For more information on the LRCIA, contact Mark Carter at 302-684-1000, ext.225 or Scott Thomas at 302-856-1818. 

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