Bill Text: DE HR28 | 2015-2016 | 148th General Assembly | Draft
Bill Title: Recognizing The 65th Anniversary Of The Delaware State Parks And Their Achievement In Receiving The 2015 National Gold Medal Award.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-05-03 - Passed in House by Voice Vote [HR28 Detail]
Download: Delaware-2015-HR28-Draft.html
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SPONSOR: |
Rep. Dukes; on behalf of all Representatives |
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 28 |
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RECOGNIZING THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DELAWARE STATE PARKS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENT IN RECEIVING THE 2015 NATIONAL GOLD MEDAL AWARD. |
WHEREAS, the Delaware State Parks are celebrating their 65th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, the Delaware State Parks system has a rich history dating back to 1937 when the 106th General Assembly created the State Parks Commission and charged it to "preserve and protect the scenic, historic, scientific, prehistoric, and wildlife resources of the state, and to make them available for public use and enjoyment"; and
WHEREAS, the Delaware State Parks are a key component of the state's tourism economy, provide critical wildlife habitat, offer a wide array of affordable recreational opportunities for Delawareans, and tell the story of Delaware's rich heritage; and
WHEREAS, Delaware State Parks sees over 6.1 million visitors annually at historic sites like Fort Delaware, zip lining on Go Ape at Lums Pond, swimming at the Killens Pond Water Park, cycling at White Clay, paddling at Trap Pond, birdwatching at Brandywine Creek, rock climbing at Alapocas, peddling a rail car at Auburn Heights, summer concerts at Bellevue State Parks, hiking at Trap Pond, camping at Delaware Seashore, clamming at Holts Landing, standup paddle boarding at Fenwick Island State Park, learning about conservation at the Brandywine Zoo and surf fishing at Cape Henlopen; and
WHEREAS, dedicated volunteers are critical to the success of Delaware State Parks.Last year Delaware State Parks set records for volunteerism with 4,314 volunteer's provided 137,379 hours which is equal to 70.5 fulltime employees.Our parks receive tremendous support from their statewide Friends organizations; the Trap Pond Partners, Delaware Seashore Preservation Foundation, Friends of Holts Landing State Park, Fort Miles Historical Association, Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, Friends of Killens Pond, The Friends of Old Dover, Friends of Lums Pond, Friends of White Clay Creek State Park, Delaware Zoological Society, Friends of Bellevue State Park, Friends of Brandywine Creek State Park, Friends of Auburn Height and Friends of Wilmington State Parks, and the Port Penn Area Historical Society; and
WHEREAS, the Delaware State Parks received the 2015/2016 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA); Delaware State Parks is one of only 8 state park systems to receive this award and the only small state to win the honor of being voted America's Best; and
WHEREAS, the Gold Medal Award program honors communities in the United States that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and agency recognition; and
WHEREAS, state parks are judged on their ability to address the needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials; and
WHEREAS, in winning this prestigious award, Delaware State Parks are recognized for their great achievements and dedication to excellence; and
WHEREAS, the Delaware State Parks would not be able to achieve this level of excellence, recognized nationally, without their dedicated Friends groups and volunteers.
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 148th General Assembly of the State of Delaware that we hereby recognize the Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary, the great achievement in being awarded the 2015/2016 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, as well as the Friends groups and volunteers who made this achievement possible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Delaware House of Representative encourages all Delawareans to visit a Delaware State Park on the day of June 5, 2016 in celebration of the Delaware State Parks 65th anniversary as park entrance fees will be waived; and in further celebration, during the entire 2016 season, a child can visit Fort Delaware State Park, for free (with a paying adult).
SYNOPSIS
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This Resolution recognizes the Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary and the achievement of being awarded the 2015/2016 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. |
