FENWICK ISLAND, Del. — A new public nature preserve has officially opened in Fenwick Island, offering a peaceful retreat along the town’s ocean side.
The Faucett Okie Family Nature Preserve, located at the corner of Bayard Street and Coastal Highway, is now open seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
The preserve was made possible through a land donation from Austin “Pete” Okie, a 94-year-old lifelong Sussex County resident and well-known conservationist. The two undeveloped parcels were gifted to the town under a conservation deed to ensure their protection in perpetuity.
Walking paths give residents and visitors a place to relax and connect with nature.
The site features a bamboo forest, cedar and pine trees, and serves as a natural habitat for birds and other wildlife. Walking paths give residents and visitors a place to relax and connect with nature.
“It’s just quiet, nice and protected back here,” said Gordon Todderud, a longtime local resident. “It’s a little cooler on a hot day.” Todderud added he was surprised by the size of the wooded area so close to the highway. “I would never imagine that there was this much undeveloped land,” he said.
Visitors are welcome to stroll along the mulch-lined path, explore the plant life, and enjoy a peaceful break from the beach crowds. “Oh wow, it goes on for quite a ways,” said Sunil Lalla, a vacationer who was impressed by the scale and serenity of the preserve. “This is lovely for the folks that live here and for the tourists.”
The preserve was brought to life by the collaborative work of the town’s Green Infrastructure Working Group, Residential Concerns Committee, Environmental Committee, and a team of dedicated volunteers.
The Town of Fenwick Island says the trail will be maintained, and officials are already discussing potential additions to enhance the preserve in the future.