MILFORD, Del. — A 19-acre plot of land in Milford on S. Rehoboth Blvd could soon be transformed into Deep Branch Park, a community space featuring a half-mile walking and bike path, a multi-age playground, basketball and pickleball courts. The park would also include a picnic pavilion, public restroom and over 7 acres of active open space.
The city purchased the land in 2021, but its proposed development has been complicated by past legal battles. In 2024, the property was involved in the Annette Billings eminent domain case. While Billings' land is no longer included in the park’s boundaries, the plans do include land from her brother that he sold to the city.
Deep Branch Park site plan. (Photo: City of Milford)
Billings remains opposed to the project and hopes the city withdraws its application.
“Once you sell it, you don’t have it anymore,” said Billings. “Money is one thing; it can go. But you don’t get dirt back.”
She also urges city officials to focus on maintaining what they already have rather than developing more.
Milford Parks and Recreation says they hope to receive preliminary planning approval at the Sussex County Planning and Zoning meeting March 19. From there, Milford Parks and Rec says they can pursue other agencies for their approvals.
CoastTV spoke with some people who live near the proposed park who are worried about the increased traffic that would come with the entrance to the park.
Some Milford locals, including Xavier Ennis, believe the park would be beneficial to the community.
“Milford only really has one basketball and pickleball court,” said Ennis. “It’d be good for the area to have more places where people can walk their dogs, play with their friends and enjoy pickleball.”
Milford Mayor Todd Culotta has expressed reservations to CoastTV about the project in its current form and hopes the city council will pull the application.
Culotta says there would be a host of issues managing the park, including public safety and security.
Deep Branch Park is not in city limits, so it would be state police jurisdiction.