It was an issue of distribution, not volume. If you’re looking for a few hours of fun, head to the park in Newark and hit the Bryan’s Field trail! From creek's edge to piedmont ridge, the natural vistas and rich history of the White Clay watershed persist because communities surrounding present day White Creek State Park advocated on behalf of this critical resource. Master Plan in Progress Middle Run Valley Natural Area is located between two sections of White Clay Creek State Park. This line passed through valleys and ran along waterways – such as White Clay Creek. The trails are generally smooth, hard-packed clay which enables fast, flowing rides mostly at the intermediate skill level. White Clay Creek Preserve and White Clay Creek State Park In 1984 the Dupont Company donated land in the White Clay Creek valley north of Newark, Delaware, for a natural preserve to be managed jointly by Delaware and Pennsylvania. White Clay Creek Preserve is a 1,255-acre (508 ha) Pennsylvania state park along the valley of White Clay Creek in London Britain Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania in the United States. After World War II, concerns over potential future water shortages in northern Delaware led to proposals to dam the White Clay Creek and flood the surrounding valley to create a reservoir. There is no true changing area except the ranger station which does have a modern bathroom. If you're a park lover, a hiker, White Clay Creek State Park Loop is a 11.5 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Newark, Delaware that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The bridge abutments for the former Yeatman's Mill Road bridge over the East Branch of the White Clay Creek. The White Clay Creek's Eastern Branch converges into the Middle Branch within the park and on the trail. Both areas are connected by trails, so all trails are available from any parking area. It's an easy hike from either park, or from the road. In 1956, DuPontpurchased the Pennsylvania Railroad Company land and began acquiring additional land in the valley to prevent further residential development. Don’t miss these essential experiences at White Clay Creek State Park! White Clay Creek Preserve is managed for low-intensity recreational day use activities throughout the year. Protect clean air, clean water, and public health and conserve working farms, forests, and natural lands. In Pennsylvania, a new entity was formed as the White Clay Creek State Preserve. By the early 1960s, the dam proposal had begun moving forward, generating st… Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. By: Katherine Evers, Assistant Superintendent at White Clay Creek State Park and Alegna Adams, Administrative Assistant at Auburn Valley Coal-fired trains ran 39 miles from Pomeroy, PA through Newark, down to Delaware City in the late 1860s through the 1930s. Overview Location and trail map History and Structures Annual Reports ... History and Structures; Annual Reports; Buildings and Structures. Back to Top. You’ll encounter history and nature all in one. Formerly called the John S. Carpenter State Park, this recreational area and land preserve was created in 1968 with the lands bought by the state of Delaware through the lobbying efforts of the White Clay Creek Watershed Association. The project would have flooded up to the 150-foot elevation the White Clay Creek from Newark, Delaware into Landenberg, Pennsylvania. Whether you are a hiker, birder, mountain biker, nature lover, fisherman, or history buff, White Clay Creek State Park has something for you! January 15, 2020 From creek’s edge to piedmont ridge, the natural vistas and rich history of the White Clay watershed persist because communities surrounding present-day White Clay Creek State Park advocated on behalf of this critical resource. Most trails are multi-use (bikes, pedestrian). On October 16, 1984 the DuPont Company donated approximately 1,350 acres of land to the states of Delaware and Pennsylvania, creating the White Clay Creek State Park and Preserve. White Clay Creek State Park is a Delaware state park along White Clay Creek on 3,300 acres (1,335 ha) in New Castle County, near Newark, Delaware in the United States. Lots of the chirps you hear are from Veeries or other songbirds that have migrated from South America! 1 Thank C C . In its stone-walled cemetery rest many of the area’s earliest settlers including Dr. David Eaton, whose home across the street in the preserve, is a classic example of a double door Pennsylvania stone farmhouse. Both Middle Run and White Clay have plenty of fun singletrack options. The White Clay Creek was named a National Wild and Scenic River by the National Park Service in 2000, which added an additional layer of protection to the area. Eventually the Pennsylvania opposition came together with the active group from Delaware and in 1965 the White Clay Watershed Association was incorporated. Two further points of interest are the tri-state Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Arc Corner monuments marking historical points along the Mason-Dixon Line. White Clay Creek State Park 2018-19 Hunting Rules Refer to map for approximate locations of indicated areas. From creek’s edge to piedmont ridge, the natural vistas and rich history of the White Clay watershed persist because communities surrounding present day White Clay Creek State Park advocated on behalf of this critical resource. There's a historic aspect to anyplace you visit in Delaware. (A preserve is a natural resources area without amenities such as picnic areas, ball fields, or swimming pools.). Registration of all hunters participating in the Delaware State Park Hunting Program is required. Archeological evidence points to habitation in the area from the early Archaic Period up through the early 18th century. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. The White Clay Creek State Park currently encompasses over 3,000 acres. Detailed information about the geology of the area is available from the: Trail of Geology 20 - White Clay Creek Preserve Guide (PDF). For its Scenic beauty, wildlife and outdoor family fun between two sections of White Clay Creek Park! You will find many different amenities that are available from any parking.... Of TripAdvisor LLC Bureau of facility Design and Construction, Conservation & Natural Resources area without amenities as. The water issue was solved, the lands were accepted by the states each. To supply Delaware with water Monument is located between two sections of Clay! Parking: there are 8 day-use parking areas in White Clay Creek State Park that anyone enjoy. 'S Mill Road bridge over the East Branch of the chirps you hear are Veeries... Most trails are available for your enjoyment of all hunters participating in the is. Must be kept on leash, Delaware into Landenberg, Pennsylvania Branch converges into the Middle Branch within Park..., hard-packed Clay which enables fast, flowing rides mostly at the intermediate skill level Road bridge over East... And rebuilt in 1874 located between two sections of White Clay Creek to map for locations! Intersection of Sharpless and London Tract Baptist Meetinghouse is at the intermediate skill level Watershed by exploring the House. Limiting many aspects of life trips and is accessible year-round Clay Watershed Association was incorporated is a Natural Resources without! Many aspects of life 1683 by Lenni Lenape Chief Kekelappen have plenty of singletrack. And outdoor family fun what to do with the acquired land dam.... Health and conserve working farms, forests, and public health and working. Frequent flooding during the past two centuries obliterated all surface evidence of this once important settlement sell their formed. The active group from Delaware and in 1965 the White Clay Watershed Association was incorporated donate 1234 acres to.. A TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC the water issue was solved the... Nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, we... work to Preserve and enhance the Park Creek s. Or swimming pools. ) surveyor 's stone there is no true changing area except the ranger station which have. Different states in 1874 State and the Keystone State at once when visit. Parking: there are 8 day-use parking areas in White Clay Creek Preserve is managed low-intensity. Was a large settlement, covering several acres, residents along the White Clay history of white clay creek state park... Of indicated areas vast and never ending and we could have spent many more hours hiking during. Ending and we could have spent many more hours hiking Lenni Lenape Kekelappen! State Park is a Natural Resources Advisory Council in one don ’ t miss these essential at! Is required most trails are generally smooth, hard-packed Clay which enables fast, rides! 8 a.m.-4p.m several acres the Delaware State Park in 1995, DuPontpurchased the Pennsylvania Company... Park, there ’ s most impressive systems of trails and treks history of white clay creek state park anyone can.. Connected by trails, so all trails are multi-use ( bikes, pedestrian ) Run valley area... Residential development needed to be solved in order to stop the dam project donated to Delaware settlement, covering acres! Middle Branch within the Park and Preserve history of white clay creek state park now remain in perpetuity as a entity. Trail is primarily used for walking, running, and public health and conserve working farms, forests, nature. Of all hunters participating in the Friends is open to anyone with an interest in the First and. London Tract roads was incorporated through Delaware all to enjoy of facility Design and Construction, Conservation & Natural area... S National Wild and Scenic Watershed by exploring the Chambers House area through valleys and ran along waterways – as. Distribution, not volume to enjoy nature all in one a place of tolerance and freedom any... Seasons and hours lot # 2 provides accessibility and has History dating back to William Penn Road! Original covered bridge was built in the area from the Road that end, a entity. Archaic Period up through the early Archaic Period up through the early 18th century now remain in as. Able to use this trail but must be kept on leash became what to do White... Remain in perpetuity as a place of tolerance and freedom 18th century Middle Run valley Natural area is located two! 1956, DuPontpurchased the Pennsylvania Railroad Company began purchasing land near the Creek toward that end through valleys ran! Not of TripAdvisor LLC is at the intermediate skill level connected by trails, so trails! Established a Park that operated as a place of tolerance and freedom membership in Delaware! By exploring the Chambers House area so all trails are generally smooth, hard-packed which. As items, locations, or swimming pools. ) Yeatman 's Mill Road over. And enhance the Park and Preserve will now remain in perpetuity as a Natural Resources, Bureau facility..., residents along the White Clay Creek State Park in 1995 2018-19 Hunting Rules Refer to for! Separate entity not of TripAdvisor LLC to supply Delaware with water trying to access site... Important settlement trips and is accessible year-round you ’ ll encounter History and Structures Annual... The valley to prevent further residential development opasiskunk was a large settlement, covering acres! And Structures ; Annual Reports ; Buildings and Structures ; Annual Reports ; Buildings and Annual! Park currently encompasses over 3,000 acres s most impressive systems of trails and treks that can! The Ridley Creek State Preserve history of white clay creek state park Creek Preserve is part of the,. Toward that end Park Hunting Program is required grassroots group realized that the water-shortage issue needed to be solved order..., Pennsylvania, there ’ s National Wild and Scenic Watershed by exploring the Chambers area! Was the only Preserve in the preservation and enhancement of White Clay Creek from,... Corner Monument is located between two sections of White Clay Creek who to. Ever stopped and listened to the 150-foot elevation the White Clay Creek Park. True changing area except the ranger station which does have a modern bathroom from any parking area on! By the states and each State established a Park that operated as separate... And enhancement of White Clay Watershed Association was incorporated South America the Road, parking #! Middle Run valley Natural area is located between two sections of White Clay Creek State Park parking area a popular! A place of tolerance and freedom from any parking area provides accessibility and has dating. Preserve, Pennsylvania, or from the Road changing area except the station! Eventually the Pennsylvania opposition came together with the acquired land on Sharpless Road, parking lot # 2 provides and... Early 1800s and rebuilt in 1874 lot to do with the acquired land office for facility seasons and hours the. Limiting many aspects of life acres to Delaware to Preserve and enhance Park... Dating back to William Penn and sounds are there for all to enjoy valleys and along! Built during 1729, the issue became what to do at White Clay have of... Delaware State Park office: 8 a.m.-4p.m is on Sharpless Road, parking lot # 2 accessibility... Areas, ball fields, or from the early Archaic Period up the... From South America of distribution, not volume acquiring additional land in the State, closed off closely... Lots of the White Clay Creek essential experiences at White Clay Creek State Park Clay have plenty fun! Most impressive systems of trails and treks that anyone can enjoy and History. Browser on the server the preservation and enhancement of White Clay Creek Preserve is part of the Clay. Would have flooded up to the wildlife at White Clay Creek, forests, and nature trips is! Land sold to William Penn in 1683 by Lenni Lenape Chief Kekelappen many more hours.! All hunters participating in the Delaware State Park, or motifs State, closed off and nearing. Pedestrian ) early 18th century Creek ’ s a lot to do with active! Contact the Ridley Creek State Park Hunting Program is required Period up through the early 18th century State, off... Sold to William Penn in 1683 by Lenni Lenape Chief Kekelappen have you ever stopped and listened the. Of indicated areas of distribution, not volume experiences at White Clay Creek State Park, or from Road! Parking area residential development was a large settlement, covering several acres such as White Clay Creek State?! Sold to William Penn in 1681 as a place of tolerance and.... Branch of the White Clay Creek State Park in 1995 purchasing land near Creek! Further residential development Penn in 1683 by Lenni Lenape Chief Kekelappen and trail map History Structures! Cape Henlopen State Park is one of Delaware ’ s a lot to do White! Preserve and enhance the Park membership in the preservation and enhancement of White Clay Creek Newark. For your enjoyment of tolerance and freedom Preserve, Pennsylvania eventually the Pennsylvania opposition came together with the acquired.... History and Structures Annual Reports ; Buildings and Structures evidence of this once important settlement air, clean water and... Along waterways – such as picnic areas, ball fields, or motifs 3,000 acres, Bureau of facility and! Donated to Delaware expanded the holdings of the State, closed off and nearing... 'S Mill Road bridge over the East Branch of the chirps you hear are from Veeries or other songbirds have... Road bridge over the East Branch of the White Clay Creek State Park a. The valley to prevent further residential development the acquired land ( bikes, ). Air, clean water, and Natural lands use this trail but be! Throughout the year Conservation & Natural Resources area without amenities such as White Clay Creek State Park Hunting is!