Standing in the current Blue Ball Barn, it can be difficult to imagine an agricultural landscape filled with cows. The cow in our exhibit is a reminder of the dairying history of our site and county. Dairy cows along with other farm animals were raised here initially for the Nemours Estate and later by tenant farmers. We invite you to explore the history of our landscape thorough the Milking Parlor exhibits.

Park address: 1914 W. Park Drive, Wilmington, DE 19803

Passport photo: Cow in Milking Parlor

Trail/directions: Located on the first floor of the Blue Ball Barn

GPS coordinates: 39.776674239490646, -75.54543533711612

Auburn Valley State Park has a rich industrial history and a legacy of revitalization. This wayside highlights the preservation of the bridge, and the family it’s named for.

Park address: Mason Dixon Trail, 664, 698 Benge Rd, Hockessin, DE 19707

Passport photo: Marshall Family Bridge wayside

Trail/directions: Located in an alcove on the Red Clay Creek Bridge, a short walk from the parking lot

GPS coordinates: 39.80709335934576, -75.67940230408969

Walking through the disc golf course you’ll find yourself in prime purple martin nesting habitat. Discover how humans play a part in this bird’s migration journey and see their unique birdhouses near this wayside.

Park address: Bellevue State Park – Main Parking Lot, Wilmington, DE 19809

Passport photo: A Travelers’ Home wayside

Trail/directions: From the parking lot, head east along the Oval Track. The wayside will be a short distance from the Purple Martin houses

GPS coordinates: 39.77879, -75.49857

The 24-acre Tulip Tree Woods Nature Preserve is surrounded by a 3-foot high historic stone wall and contains an old-growth forest. This forest has been relatively undisturbed for over 200 years.

Park address: 41 Adams Dam Road, Wilmington, DE 19807, Wilmington, DE 19807

Passport photo: Tulip Tree Woods Entrance

Trail/directions: Park at the nature center parking lot and walk approximately 300 feet towards the nature center to the paved path that leads to the entrance of the Tulip Tree Woods Nature Preserve.

GPS coordinates: 39.807928, -75.578558

Learn about pollinator conservation by looking at the inside of a beehive from early May to mid-September. Take a peek at their pollinator garden to help inspire you to build a space for pollinators in your area.

Park address: 200 N Park Dr, Wilmington, DE 19802

Passport photo: Pollinator Exhibit S

Trail/directions: Located between the North American Porcupine and Red Panda habitats.

GPS coordinates: 39.755342, -75.548963

Find out how this land has changed through time and how it’s managed today to benefit people as well as wildlife.

Park address: 61 Ocean Dr, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

Passport photo: Formed by Nature and Man kiosk interpretive panel

Trail/directions: The kiosk is located next to Gordons Pond Pavilion, at the Gordons Pond State Park Area

GPS coordinates: 38.74219347934667, -75.08170747380147

This maritime forest is a refuge from surrounding development. Discover the wildlife that thrives here, thanks to the conservation of park land.

Park address: Hickman Rd, Ocean View, DE 19970

Passport photo: Oasis in a Sea of Development wayside

Trail/directions: From the parking lot, walk the short distance to the intersection of the Prickly Pear Trail and Fred Hudson Road Trail.

GPS coordinates: 38.56346081133544, -75.07230768083588

American Beach grass patches help stabilize the dunes which protect Delaware’s coastlines. This patch of grass in particular was planted last spring as well as several other patches. The park works on growing more patches of beach grass every spring in an effort to help conserve this coastal habitat.

Park address: Fenwick Island State Park, DE-1, Fenwick Island, DE 19944, Fenwick Island, DE 19944

Passport photo: In front of the roped off beach grass by the dunes.

Trail/directions: Park on the south side of the bath house and follow the dune crossing near the center of the lot to where it meets the beach.

GPS coordinates: 38.46995495250465, -75.04986430770204

Dedicated in 1912 to the soldiers of the Delaware Line – the Delaware State’s contribution to the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War – this monument stands as a clear reminder of the Dover Green’s historical significance. Although The Green’s appearance has changed over time from unadorned colonial market square to a tranquil park-like setting in line with Victorian sensibilities, it has always been a place where history happened. Standing on this storied half-acre, you walk in the footsteps of Revolutionaries fighting for independence, delegates who gathered to ratify a national constitution, abolitionists who battled to end the scourge of chattel slavery, suffragists who crusaded for women’s rights, and activists who struggled and continue to advocate for the powerful ideal of a more perfect Union.

Park address: The Green, Dover, DE 19901

Passport photo: Delaware Line Monument

Trail/directions: In front of 25 The Green, Dover DE 19901

GPS coordinates: 39.156373, -75.523155

The best way to experience Fort Delaware is to talk to the people that inhabit it! Make sure you ask each of our costumed interpreters about life on Pea Patch Island and snap a photo with them in the background.

Park address: 45 Clinton St, Delaware City, DE 19706

Passport photo: Take a photo with one of Fort Delaware’s costumed historical interpreters either with you/your group or in the background of your adventure at the Fort.

Trail/directions: No Trail

GPS coordinates: 39.589340223024664, -75.56723996646433

Completed in 1904, Battery Elder consisted of two 15-pounder rapid-fire guns. It was meant to protect the minefield in the river at relatively close range against potential attackers in the Delaware River. The rooms at the bottom of the stairs were for storage of the projectiles, and the smaller rooms under the stairs were for the implements necessary for the loading process. This battery was active until 1943.

Park address: Fort DuPont State Park, Wilmington Ave, Delaware City, DE 19706

Passport photo: Battery Elder

Trail/directions: Park at the parking lot at the point (the end of the road on Wilmington Avenue/Old Battery Lane) and take the path closest to the river. This path will take you to the back side of Battery Elder.

GPS coordinates: 39.571214, -75.578738

This tower is one of many that were built to keep a vigilant eye over our coast. See the tower’s rooftop views from these ground-level waysides.

Park address: Tower 7: The Observatory, Lewes, DE 19958

Passport photo: Tower 7 rooftop views waysides

Trail/directions: The three waysides sit at the base of Tower 7. A parking lot is directly adjacent to the tower.

GPS coordinates: 38.776348118077095, -75.0927754532669

The Cherry Island Lighthouse Overlook offers excellent views of city skylines, the Delaware River, and local water traffic. This scenic overlook gives you a clear view of the Delaware Memorial Bridge and if you keep an eye out, you can spot the light tower hiding in the skyline.

Park address: 1200 Lighthouse Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809, Wilmington, DE 19809

Passport photo: In front of wayside with bridge in background

Trail/directions: From the main parking lot on lighthouse road, take the Riverview Trail south to the southernmost overlook, where the trail bends away from the river.

GPS coordinates: 39.755279, -75.490551

As you walk down the boardwalk on the Seahawk Trail towards the woods, on either side you find yourself surrounded by incredible plants that make up a key component of this marshy ecosystem – grass! However, this is not any ordinary grass. Rather, you can spot multiple types of marsh grasses sprouting up from the mud and pools of salty water. These grasses include the wispy, green saltmeadow hay, and the tall, smooth cordgrass. All these grasses form an essential aspect of this bountiful marshland.

Park address: 27046 Holts Landing Rd, Dagsboro DE 19939

Passport photo: Marsh Grasses

Trail/directions: Seahawk Trail, by the seated viewing area at the edge of the woods past the Marsh Boardwalk

GPS coordinates: 38.59078587791364, -75.13140423652388

Killens Pond was once a flowing river of resources for the Indigenous inhabitants of the area. Learn how the Lenape and Nanticoke used these waters and about their presence in Delaware today.

Park address: Killens Pond State Park Nature Center, Felton, DE 19943

Passport photo: A Sustaining Resource wayside

Trail/directions: Head southeast along the Pondside Nature Trail from the nature center. The wayside is the second of three located along the pedestrian walkway portion of the trail

GPS coordinates: 38.9820247, -75.5301543

This year’s passport location is the renovated Whale Wallow Loop trail. A .1 mile loop boardwalk and stone trail located behind the nature center in the Lums Pond Nature Preserve. This trail takes you through the forest and includes an overlook of a Delmarva Bay. Delmarva bays are special types of wetlands that are seasonally flooded and provide habitat for a variety of amphibians, insects and birds.

Park address: 1068 Howell School Rd, Area 5 parking lot, Bear, DE 19701

Passport photo: Whale Wallow Loop Trail behind the Nature Center

Trail/directions: Whale Wallow Loop

GPS coordinates: 39.563201, -75.729244

Built in 1834, this house is a symbol of the Cleaver family’s historical importance to the area. It once served as a home, a general store, and Port Penn’s first post office. Although it is currently vacant, this house is available through Delaware State Park’s Resident-Institution Curatorship program. https://destateparks.com/Curator

Park address: 3 Liberty Street, Port Penn, DE 19731 (Port Penn Interpretive Center), Middletown, DE 19709

Passport photo: Cleaver House

Trail/directions: From the parking lot at the Interpretive Center, head east along Market Street to the junction with Congress Street, where you will see the Cleaver House

GPS coordinates: 39.51683171318684, -75.57647457204394

For generations, this area—known as Jason Beach—was a vibrant gathering place for the local Black community Hear and read about the history of Jason Beach at this wayside.

Park address: Cypress Point Disc Golf Course, Road 450, Laurel, DE 19956

Passport photo: Jason Beach wayside

Trail/directions: Head west from the Cypress Point parking lot, towards the pavilions. You’ll pass a couple other waysides before reaching the large Jason Beach wayside, across from the first pavilion

GPS coordinates: 38.52509397697967, -75.47269618309898

Learn about Donald Sharpe’s dedication to preserving the White Clay Creek and Middle Run Valleys for which he is recognized as a Pioneer of Preservation at this wayside.

Park address: 195 Smiths Mill Rd, Newark, DE 19711, Newark, DE 19711

Passport photo: Donald Sharpe Wayside

Trail/directions: Follow the paved path behind the restrooms towards the Bryan’s Field trail

GPS coordinates: 39.7275182, -75.7301904

Prejudices and bigotry plagued black soldiers each and every day, but these men looked beyond their flawed nation and recognized the potential their home had and the importance of fighting for freedom. This memorial is dedicated to African American soldiers who received the Medal of Honor award. The award was created during the Civil War and is presented by the United States government to a member of its armed forces who have distinguished themselves at the risk of their own life above and beyond the call of duty in action against an enemy of the United States.

Park address: Corner of Baynard Blvd and 18th Street., Wilmington DE 19806

Passport photo: African American Medal of Honor Memorial

Trail/directions: Sidewalk at the corner of Baynard Blvd and 18th Street

GPS coordinates: 39.75497315676701, -75.5467385590376