Summer is right around the corner, and Coastal Delaware is getting ready in more ways than one.
Along with the return of beach days, events, and visitors, there are also several updates rolling out across the area.
From how you park to how you get around, here’s what’s changing this season and what to keep on your radar:
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Delaware State Parks Update Fees and Payment Options
On March 1st, Delaware State Parks officially entered the fee for entry season, which runs through November 30th.
So if you’ve been heading to the parks recently or planning to soon, daily entrance fees are now back in effect across all 17 parks.
This year also comes with a slight fee increase. Inland parks are now $5 for Delaware residents and $10 for out-of-state visitors.
For coastal parks like Cape Henlopen, Fenwick Island, and Delaware Seashore, daily fees are $10 for residents and $20 for non-residents.
If you’re planning to go more than a handful of times this season, the annual pass is still the best value by far.
It’s $50 for residents and $100 for non-residents and typically pays for itself in about 10 visits or less depending on which annual pass you are able to purchase & qualify for .
There are also some convenience upgrades rolling out. Select locations are starting to offer mobile payment options through QR codes, which should help make entry quicker, especially as we get closer to peak summer traffic.
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DART Proposes Changes to Beach Bus Routes and Service
With Beach Bus season approaching, DART has proposed several changes that could impact how people get around Coastal Delaware this summer.
If approved, these updates are expected to go into effect around May 18th, when the beach bus season is set to begin.
One of the biggest proposed changes is to Route 201, which connects the Lewes Transit Center, outlets, and Rehoboth Beach.
The plan would reduce frequency slightly, shifting buses from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes. Late-night Sunday service after 2am would also be eliminated.
DART is also proposing to discontinue Route 204, which serves the Big Oaks Campground area, due to low ridership with the service.
At the same time, they’re looking to expand service elsewhere, including adding a new Route 207 that would run between Massey’s Landing and the Rehoboth Beach Park & Ride, creating a new west-to-east connection in Sussex County to provide for more potential riders.
Another update includes Route 305, which connects Wilmington to the beach area. The plans would be to add an extra Saturday round trip and extend service to the Rehoboth Park & Ride.
Overall, these changes are aimed at improving reliability, connections, and on-time performance, with some adjustments based directly on rider feedback.
Lewes-Georgetown Trail Progressing On Design of Pedestrian Crossing Project With Federal Funding
A long-discussed pedestrian bridge over Route 9 in Cool Spring is now moving into the next phase, with funding officially secured as part of a larger federal package for Delaware projects.
The funding will go toward the design of the bridge, which is tied to the final phase of the Lewes-Georgetown Trail.
This last stretch will run about six miles, connecting Georgetown to Milton, and is currently projected for completion in late 2026.
Once finished, the full trail will span 17 miles, making it the longest continuous trail in Delaware.
The addition of a pedestrian bridge would significantly improve safety and accessibility in the area, especially given how busy Route 9 can get.
For now, the project is still in the design stage with DELDOT, but it’s a meaningful step forward for anyone who uses the trail regularly.
Dewey Beach Updates Parking Rates for the Season
Dewey Beach has approved several parking updates ahead of the summer season, with a mix of small increases and timing changes to be aware of.
The weekly parking rate is increasing from $100 to $120 for any eight consecutive days.
Daily rates will stay at $30, while the weekend rate for Friday through Sunday will increase slightly from $55 to $60.
One noticeable change this year is the start time for parking meters. Instead of beginning at 10am, meters will now start at 9am, with the hourly rate remaining at $4.
Metered parking hours will run from 9am to 5pm on Mondays, excluding federal holidays, and from 9am to midnight Tuesday through Sunday.
These changes will go into effect starting May 15th, when paid parking season begins in Dewey Beach and runs through September 15th.
Lewes Officials Discuss Potential Parking Rule Changes
Parking continues to be a major topic in Lewes, and even as of mid-March, city officials are still actively working through possible solutions ahead of the busy season.
The Lewes Parking Working Group has been meeting regularly to explore ways to better manage demand, especially during peak summer months when parking becomes significantly more limited.
One of the main ideas being discussed is a residential parking permit program.
Officials are studying how nearby towns like Rehoboth Beach and Bethany Beach handle similar challenges and whether those models could work in Lewes.
There’s also ongoing discussion around expanding three-hour parking limits across more areas of the city, although details on where that would apply are still being worked out.
Not all members agree on the best approach, with some even suggesting larger-scale solutions like parking garages.
For now, everything remains in the discussion phase, and any recommendations would still need approval from the mayor and city council before moving forward.
The group is expected to continue these conversations in upcoming meetings, with the next one scheduled for March 20th.
Our media team plans to provide more updates in a coming blog on how the March 20th meeting turned out.
Parking Fees Could Increase in Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach is also in the middle of parking-related discussions, but unlike Dewey, no final decisions have been made just yet.
Town officials are currently considering a potential increase to resident and business parking permit fees.
According to Mayor Ron Calef, parking revenue plays a big role in funding several things in Bethany, including around 45 free summer shows at the bandstand and the Bethany Beach Trolley.
The trolley itself is a major local asset, with about 45,000 riders last year, and it remains the only municipally owned and operated transit system in Delaware.
Parking revenue also helps support the town’s workforce, including both year-round staff and a large number of seasonal employees, many of whom are lifeguards.
As of now, there are no plans to increase hourly meter rates this year, which will remain at $4 per hour.
Visitor parking permits are expected to start at $40 per day, and parking fees will go into effect beginning May 15th.
A final decision on permit increases was expected sometime in March, but as of now, nothing has been officially approved, so this is still something to keep an eye on as the season approaches.
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Rehoboth Beach Installs Boardwalk Bollards Ahead of Peak Season
Rehoboth Beach is making visible changes along the boardwalk ahead of summer, with a new bollard project already underway in one of the area’s busiest public spaces.
Construction crews are installing 35 concrete bollards in front of the boardwalk near the Bandstand, along with 32 additional barriers on Rehoboth Avenue near the public restrooms.
According to city documents, the overall project is expected to cost about $1.1 million, with roughly $420,000 tied specifically to the bollards.
Swing gates are also being added on both sides of the restroom area as part of the broader safety plan.
City plans show the work is expected to be finished by May 15th, with officials aiming to have everything in place before the peak summer season begins.
As construction moves forward, fenced off sections of the boardwalk have already started to change the look of the area, and reactions have been mixed.
Some visitors say they understand the goal of improving safety but are still unsure about how the barriers will affect the boardwalk’s feel and appearance.
Others have said the swing gates seem more practical during crowded events like concerts near the Bandstand, when temporary access control may make more sense.
At the same time, some local business owners have pushed back on the project, saying they were not properly consulted before it was approved.
A petition signed by 16 businesses also raised concerns that the barriers could affect access to shops and restaurants along Rehoboth Avenue.
Even with that criticism, the city is continuing with the project as planned, making this one of the more noticeable physical changes visitors may see in Rehoboth Beach this summer.
Things move quickly this time of year in Coastal Delaware, and we’re here to keep you in the loop! Follow along with the blog for more updates, local insights, and everything happening around our beach towns this season!
Have any questions about our blog(s), the Coastal Delaware real estate market, or local life in our beautiful beach towns? Do you think there is something we should write about? Did you see an event coming up that we should know about? Shoot us an email at [email protected] or give us a call at (302) 212-0074. We would love to hear from you!
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