Land that forms part of Lewes history since 1631 has evolved from a bustling shipyard to a community haven 

In Lewes – a Delaware city renowned for its long history – few locations chronicle a more active and colorful past than its 2.9-acre Canalfront Park.

Here is where the boundary stone marked the furthest extension of the original Lewes settlement that started in 1631. Decades later a thriving shipbuilding industry supplied a young America with fleets of schooners, brigantines and shallops built from nearby forests.

River pilots, whose profession dates to the region’s Native Americans, first kept their crafts here, to help guide large ships up the Delaware. Later, scores of wooden shacks served as rough homes for seasonal fishermen.

In time, this became the site for the Lewes Boatyard, where many of the region’s workboats were brought for repair and re-fitting. After the boatyard had closed down, in 1997, a concept was brought forward to develop the property for retail and residential use.

A small group of local citizens came up with an alternative idea – to use the land for a waterfront park. 

Renovation of the Park

The first step involved raising $3.5 million to acquire the boatyard property, followed by two campaigns to build the park on that site and then to expand it onto the former boat launch parking lot.

Over the next 10 years, more than 1,600 citizens, businesses and friends of Lewes gave generously to the Park campaigns. Their donations represented 40 percent of the total $5.4 million raised for park construction.
Other primary supporters included the State of Delaware, DNREC, DelDOT, the City of Lewes, the federal Save America’s Treasures project, and the Longwood and Welfare Foundations.

Dedication of the Park took place on August 15, 2009. The final construction component was a children’s playground, made possible with grants from the Schell Family Foundation and volunteer construction by scores of local volunteers. Subsequent to that, the Lightship Overfalls completed its landscaping, bringing that site seamlessly into the overall Park design.

The Park represents what can happen when a community unites for a common cause. If you haven't visited the Park, come out and learn more about its amazing history.

PARK HISTORY


  • The site of the Canalfront Park has been at the heart of Lewes, Delaware since the year 1631.This is where the earliest Dutch settlers created their homes and built and launched their ships.
  • By 1677, an active shipbuilding industry dominated the site.
  • During the War of 1812, a cannon battle was waged across the canal with British invaders.
  • River pilots began to build large, tall homes along the canal in the 19th century. From the roofs, they could see ships that came to anchor in Delaware Bay.
  • Congress approved funding for the construction of a canal six feet deep and 50 feet wide to run from the mouth of the Lewes Creek to the Broadkill River and join with a second route from Rehoboth Beach.
  • In 1956, the Lewes menhaden catch was still the highest in the nation. However, DDT contaminants from upriver and over-harvesting led to a decline in the local fish population that would last for 20 years. Fishermen from Lewes began to go offshore.
  • In 1974, Dick Thompson purchased a row of wooden houses along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and created the Lewes Boatyard and Marina for pilot boats that ferried the Delaware Bay pilots to large ships offshore.
  • Dale Parsons bought the business in the mid-1980s. He operated the boatyard and tackle shop until 1993.
  • In 1999, developers proposed a large retail and residential complex at the site. Alarmed citizens and the Greater Lewes Foundation took action and planted the seeds for what would become the Canalfront Park.


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HISTORICAL TIDBITS