Delaware
Fort Delaware Debuts Fort Fest for 75th Anniversary – State of Delaware News
Celebration Included Historic Marker Dedication and 5K Run
A historic marker was dedicated by the Delaware Public Archives at Fort Delaware for its role in protecting the coast from the Civil War to World War II. Photo by DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation.
As part of the 75th Anniversary of Delaware State Parks, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control launched Fort Fest at the Fort Delaware State Park on April 25-26. The weekend included the unveiling of a historic marker and an inaugural 5K run around Pea Patch Island.
A state historic marker was unveiled on April 25 at Battery Park in Delaware City. It highlighted Fort Delaware’s role in protecting the ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington since the mid-1800s. The fort also housed more than 33,000 Confederate soldiers and political prisoners during the Civil War. About 2,400 Confederate soldiers died there, with many buried at Finn’s Point National Cemetery in New Jersey.
Through advocacy efforts led by the Fort Delaware Society, the fort became the second state park in Delaware in 1951. It is located on Pea Patch Island, which can only be accessed by boat, and offers programs highlighting its rich past throughout the spring, summer and fall. It also includes the Pea Patch Island Nature Preserve, which features a heronry, an important migratory bird habitat along its marshy shore, which draws thousands of people annually to see unique species.
During this year’s opening weekend, Fort Delaware will debut Charge the Fort on April 26, a 5k run across the island managed by Race Roster. This unique event was limited to 150 participants. The race will begin and end at the fort and traverse both ends of the island. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers, masters divisions, walkers and the top three finishers in each age group. Participants had to be 13 and older and minors had to be accompanied by a participating adult to take part in the race. No spectators will be allowed on the island on race day due to capacity issues.
Reenactor groups will also be present at Battery Park in Delaware City on race day.
Fort Delaware is one of several former military installations in the Delaware State Parks system that demonstrates the importance of the First State in defending the nation. Those parks include Fort DuPont in Delaware City and Fort Miles in Lewes.
For more information about Fort Delaware, visit the destateparks.com/park/fort-delaware/ webpage. For more information on the Charge the Island 5K race, visit the Race Roster website.
About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.
Celebrating A Milestone Year
Delaware State Parks is celebrating 75 years of outdoor adventures and lasting memories. What began in 1951 with three parks has grown into a system that now includes 17 state parks, 22 nature preserves, the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina — together protecting more than 27,000 acres. In 2026, the division will honor the people, parks and partners who built this legacy and invite visitors to join in inspiring exploration, discovery and a deeper connection to the outdoors for generations to come.
Media contact: Beth Kuhles-Heiney, elizabeth.kuhlesheiney@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov
Delaware
All lanes open after I-69 closure in Delaware County
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — All lanes closed on I-69 in the southbound direction in Delaware County on Friday morning.
Authorities with the Indiana State Police were dispatched to the 240.5 mile marker on a report of a crash involving a semi at approximately 8:08 a.m.
All lanes are now open.
Delaware
After devastating fire at historic Delaware church, a summer festival carries on
Delaware
From blueprint to breakthrough: Tackling affordable housing in Wilmington
Pennrose and JPMorganChase help neighborhoods – and residents – thrive.
Finding an affordable place to live continues to be a challenge for many as widespread housing shortages persist across the U.S. Rising home prices and high interest rates have made homeownership inaccessible for a large portion of the population. Meanwhile, as rental demand increases, the number of renters facing affordability challenges is also on the rise.
The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that cost burdens for renters reached another record high in 2023. Similarly, the JPMorganChase Institute reports that renter affordability is declining and forcing people to devote more of their take-home pay to housing costs. There is a growing need for affordable housing across the U.S., and that rings true here in Wilmington.
To close that gap, it’s essential that all Wilmington residents share in its growth with housing options that accommodate a range of needs and budgets. For the Pennrose real estate firm, this meant delivering a concrete solution to the local community, resulting in housing for individuals and families who otherwise might not have been able to live in the area.
Reinvesting in Wilmington’s Riverside
In Wilmington, the Riverside redevelopment initiative is focused on neighborhood stability at a scale that can be felt across generations – bringing housing, education and community resources together so families can remain rooted and move forward. Imani Village, developed by Pennrose in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority and nonprofit community organization REACH Riverside and constructed with support from JPMorganChase, is part of this broader effort, which is expected to create more than 600 high-quality, mixed-income homes while also enhancing and expanding EastSide Charter School and Kingswood Community Center to help establish a “cradle to college/career readiness education pipeline.”
By tying new housing to strengthened local institutions, the redevelopment aims to reduce the pressure that forces families to relocate and instead keep children closer to school, neighbors closer to one another and residents connected to the services that help them thrive. In practical terms, Imani Village represents not just additional homes, but a commitment to building a neighborhood where opportunity is easier to access and easier to keep.
“We’re proud of the far-reaching impact this project will have. It reflects Pennrose’s mission to uplift our communities and expand the supply of high-quality, affordable homes,” said Brett Macleod, Community Development Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Every additional housing unit matters – and increasing the number that are affordable is critical.”
A broader commitment to Wilmington’s future
While Imani Village is foundational, the vibrancy of a community depends on much more. In Delaware, the firm provides banking services to 215,000 customers and works across sectors to expand economic opportunity. Over the last five years, JPMorganChase has invested more than $25 million in local nonprofit organizations, supported 25,000 small business clients and delivered financial health education to thousands of residents to broaden access to banking, financial health resources, homeownership and other wealth-building tools.
“As we work with local stakeholders to expand housing options, JPMorganChase’s goal is to create inclusive economic opportunity for all,” said Don Mell, Location Management, Americas East Region Lead and member of the Delaware & Philadelphia Market Leadership Team at JPMorganChase. “When our communities thrive, we all thrive.”
Learn more about affordable housing and community development at jpmorgan.com/commercial-real-estate.
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