New Castle County Parks Follow Up to Brookland Terrace Community

 

Good morning,

It was great to connect with the community at last month's meeting. I'm reaching out to check in with the Brookland Terrace community and Councilman Sheldon's office with updates and follow ups from the June 22, 2026 community meeting and to gain any new feedback from the community on concerns or issues:

As discussed at the meeting:

1. Park Trash Removal: A inquiry was made by the community regarding the frequency of trash removal in the park. That was communicated with Parks, and we have not heard additional concerns to my knowledge. I'm following up to see if the issue has been resolved.
2. Non Authorized Motorized Vehicle Usage in the Park: At the meeting , the non-emergency Public Safety number was provided to enforce authority over the use of illegal motorized vehicles. Any follow up from the community on that issue?
3. Clean up of the sawn trees:  Parks is finalizing the procurement of a contractor to stockpile trees. A start date of  work will be provided as soon as the purchase order for the contractor is secured.
   
   
4. WQUIP Project:
1. Some questions and concerns were raised about the design of the water quality improvement project using in stream concrete structures, and work on private property without obtaining easements, and limiting park accesses and trails. A walk through was held by Public Works with the community in October 2024, which I am informed these issues were discussed, and I have included the summary from the that walk through in this correspondence that answers many of the questions that were asked in the recent June 2026 community meeting and summarizes the design changes that were made after the communities input on that walkthrough. That document can also be found on website at https://www.newcastlede.gov/2738/Woodland-Run-Stream-Restoration and has been revised to address the three questions that were put forward in the July 2027 meeting. Those answers are:
1. Question: Will concrete grade structures be used in the stream as part of the restoration?
   Response: Concrete grade control structures are not being used in the stream. Concrete will be used
   for the two new bridges, new stormwater structures, and curb/sidewalk repairs.
2. Question: Are retaining walls being used as part of the project?
   Response: Retaining walls are not proposed as part of the project.
3. Question: Are easements through private properties being proposed?
   Response: The project will be accessed and constructed using DelDOT right-of-way, New Castle County
   owned property, and existing utility easements. Easements that permanently impact private properties
   are not proposed.
2. A request for a concept plan to be placed on the Public Works project website was discussed. Those concept plans are currently on the website and can be found at https://www.newcastlede.gov/2738/Woodland-Run-Stream-Restoration
3. PW Engineering is moving forward with the FEMA application requirements. As discussed in the last community meeting we believe this application will take approximately 9-12 months to complete.  
4. The Department has not yet received a Freedom of Information Act request for the design plans. Please contact Ms. Joy Wedge at Joy.Wedge@newcastlede.gov for assistance or the filing of that FOIA request. 
5. At the meeting, a question raised that after the WQUIP project is complete, Brookland Terrace and/or the surrounding communities would be given ownership of Woodland Park and all maintenance responsibilities. I'm confirming that Public Works has no knowledge or intent to deed the park ownership or park maintenance to the communities. 

Hope everyone is having a great summer. I will respond with updates as they become available but at a minimum reach out again next month.

If anyone has questions, please let me know.

Eric Laramore, P.E.

Engineering Division Manager

NCC Department of Public Works

302-395-5741 (Office)

302-353-0989 (Cell)

Eric.Laramore@newcastlede.gov