Contact: Britt Murray, Chief of Construction, phone: (302) 739-9231
or Melinda Carl, Public Affairs Office, phone: (302) 739-9902

Section of Closed Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier Reopens; Three New Small Areas on East Side Temporarily Closed for Repairs

An approximately 100-foot section seaward of the closed portion of the fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park will reopen on Friday based on initial engineering assessment of the structure. According to Britt Murray, Chief of Construction for State Parks, concurrent with this expanded public access, three small areas on the east side of the pier within the section currently open will be temporarily barricaded to conduct immediate repairs to the support piling below the pier.

Cape Henlopen Park Manager Paul Faircloth says, “close to two-thirds of the pier, or about 1200 feet out from the shore, will remain open for fishing. The Bait and Tackle shop located at the pier is open and continues to provide services to the public on the normal schedule.”

The fishing tournament scheduled for this weekend at the pier will proceed as planned.

Part of the pier originally constructed around World War II was closed Aug. 3 after a visual inspection revealed deterioration in some of the wooden pilings supporting the T-shaped seaward end of the pier. The pier was revamped with new decking and railings about 10 years ago.

Engineering analysis of the pier is ongoing. No vehicles, including sewage pumpers, will be permitted on any portion of the pier until further notice.

For more information, please call (302) 739-9220.
 

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