New partnership aims to preserve significant land sites in Lewes, seeks community support
LEWES, Del.- “Everybody’s seeing all the development that’s going on in Sussex County and there’s a lot of concern about it,” Costanzi said.
The Greater Lewes Foundation and Sussex County Land Trust kicked off their campaign for the Open Space Alliance initiative Saturday. The project looks to preserve almost 120 acres of land in Lewes. We looked at about 8 parcels and were able to come to terms with two different parcels. Today’s campaign is unveiling those parcels and seeking public input and support,” Open Space Alliance Committee Chairman Jim Ford said.
“These are properties that are owned by families, and they have indicated that they really did not want these properties to be developed,” Campaign Manager Pam Costanzi said.
The campaign looks to acquire the 30-acre Fourth Street Forest and the 89-acre Ard na Gréine property located between Savannah Road and New Road just outside Lewes.
Both sites would become passive recreational areas. Both Ford and Costanzi tell us preserving this land could have several benefits. “We would have some water management so that you don’t have development that causes increased storm water management needs,” Ford said.
“They provide flyways for birds as well as the wildlife. Plus, there’s trees and plants that clean our air and our water,” Costanzi said.
The project has an estimated price tag of over $18 million. Campaign Manager Pam Costanzi says they anticipate support from several community partners but that alone won’t get this plan across the finish line.
That’s why she tells us their strategy is focused on community engagement. “Without the individual gifts, we won’t get the foundations gifts. We won’t get the state funding or all the local funding that’s available if those other sources don’t feel like individuals in our community really care,” Costanzi said.
Since both sites would become preserves, The Greater Lewes Foundation says maintenance costs would remain low.
The group also tells us they also plan to partner with town officials and local legislators. They also plan to host several other community meetings in the near future.
There’s currently a purchase deadline of December 31st, 2024. To find out more information, contact Pam Costanzi at 302-644-0107.
It’s also important to note that Senator Carper was also present at the Saturday’s meeting as the Greater Lewes Foundation presented him with the Community Service Award.
