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Native Plant SIG: Delaware Botanic Gardens & Trap Pond State Park
Friday, August 04, 2023, 9:45 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
Category: Annual Events & Programs
Native Plant Special Interest Group: 
Delaware Botanic Gardens & Trap Pond State Park 

 

Delaware Botanic Gardens (DBG) at Pepper Creek (https://www.delawaregardens.org/)

Founded in 2012, DBG is a testament to what a group of energetic and garden-loving Sussex County citizens have been able to do. They saw an unmet local need for a public garden that would provide both education and recreation and made it happen. DBG is unique in that it is a volunteer-led nonprofit public garden. 

In 2015 Piet Oudolf agreed to design the two-acre Meadow Garden at Delaware Botanic Gardens, which was built in three phases in 2017-2018. The Meadow Garden should be at its peak for our visit. The remaining 35 acres include upland holly woods, native plants/shrubs/“Brandywine” Red Maple trees in the Rhyne Garden, coastal wetlands along Pepper Creek with an observation deck, a wetland pond in the Dogfish Head Learning Garden, the Folly Garden reflecting pond, and the fern-filled Knoll Garden. Including our guided tour at 10:00 AM, we will have at least two hours to explore this exciting new garden treasure.

After the Delaware Botanic Gardens tour, we will drive 20 minutes to Trap Pond State Park.

Trap Pond State Park (https://destateparks.com/TrapPond)

Beginning in the late 1700s, Trap Pond was used as an industrial logging pond. Today it is used for recreation and education. Visitors can rent various types of boats to explore the nearly nine miles of canoe and kayak trails – to fish, or just to enjoy the diversity of plant and tree species in and around the pond. On land there are more than 12 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horse-riding. Various types of camping facilities, as well as playgrounds, pavilions, and a picnic area are available.

Of particular interest to plant-lovers, Trap Pond is home to the northern-most naturally occurring stand of bald cypress trees. Bald cypresses (Taxodium distichum) are the eastern equivalent of redwoods – long lived, large conifers. This is a unique ecosystem well worth seeing.

After eating our lunches in the shaded picnic area and visiting the nature center, we will have a pontoon boat tour of the bald cypress swamp.

Open to members and non-members. Maximum number of attendees is 16. Rain or shine. Registration is required. 

Cost is $30 for members ($25 for DBG admission and tour; $5 for TPSP naturalist-led pontoon boat tour), $40 for nonmembers. Attendees are responsible for the per-car parking fee at Trap Pond - $4 for DE vehicles, $8 for out of state.

Click here to register. Registration closes July 31th. 

Wear comfortable walking clothes and shoes, sunhat, sunscreen, and bring water, snacks, and lunch. Restrooms are available both at Delaware Botanic Gardens and at Trap Pond State Park, and parking is plentiful at both locations.  

Weekend lodging: If you want to make a weekend of it, Trap Pond State Park has been voted the prettiest campground in the state of Delaware and has cabins and yurts in addition to campsites. Rehoboth, Cape Henlopen, Lewes, and other Delaware beaches are nearby.  

HPS/MAG COVID-19 PRACTICES AND POLICIES: All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall be subject to all COVID-related requirements imposed by any state, local and/or federal agency. Guests and invitees should apprise themselves of any such requirements prior to attendance. All HPS/MAG In-Person Events shall also be subject to the COVID-related requirements, if any, of the garden host. All attendees must bring a mask for every In-Person Event, in case it is required.

Questions, email: Margaret Moore [email protected]