Millsboro Parks Committee Work Session - March 23, 2026

The Millsboro Parks Committee held a work session on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 9:00 AM to review and discuss survey responses for the proposed park on Route 24 in Plantation Lakes. The committee reviewed feedback from 385 respondents, deliberated on amenity priorities, and outlined next steps including potential grant funding and further community outreach.

Consent Calendar

• Motion to adopt the agenda passed unanimously via roll call.
• Motion to approve minutes from the previous meeting passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered during the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Survey Analysis: The 385 responses were overwhelmingly from respondents over age 40 (likely 90%). Committee members noted that this skew should be considered when evaluating priorities, as younger demographics were underrepresented. The top request was trails and walking paths, followed by picnic facilities, family recreation, passive use, and community events.
• Tennis Courts vs. Other Amenities: USTA has offered a matching grant covering half the cost of four tennis courts (estimated by a member at $200,000 to $400,000 total). Some members expressed skepticism about tennis as a dying sport and questioned long-term use, while others supported the grant opportunity and noted tennis courts can later be converted to pickleball. The committee agreed to invite USTA representatives to a future budget hearing to present their case and provide data.
• Youth and Athletic Facilities: There was discussion about the lack of facilities for younger residents. The committee considered sending the survey to local middle and high schools to gather input from parents and students. Suggestions included a playground for older children, a multi-purpose field, and possibly basketball courts—though basketball was associated with past community concerns about noise and policing.
• Amphitheater/Pavilion: A pavilion similar to the one at Cuplo Park (cost ~$27,000 after demolition) was seen as a cost-effective way to address several top survey requests, including gathering spaces, picnicking, and community events.
• Alternative Funding and Partnerships: A committee member secured a $75,000 grant from Healthy Communities Delaware (non-matching) that could be used for park engineering or matching other grants. Audubon grants for bird-related signage and Native American themed playground grants were also mentioned. An unspent fund from Lennar (2008) for an emergency service building at the same site was noted; committee members will investigate its current status.
• Location and Design: The park parcel (approximately 10 acres) already has water and sewer taps installed. Four tennis courts would occupy about 0.7-1 acre, leaving room for other amenities. Parking needs were debated, with the suggestion that adjacent association parking could supplement.

Key Outcomes

• The committee will schedule a special field trip to walk the property with town staff and USTA representatives.
• Ashley (staff) will reach out to local schools to distribute the survey, with responses requested by April 17, 2026.
• The committee will invite USTA to present at the upcoming budget hearings (April) to answer questions about demographics, usage data, and long-term viability.
• The committee will continue analyzing survey results and developing a phased plan. No formal vote on specific amenities was taken; decisions will follow further information gathering.
• Meeting adjourned; next meeting to be scheduled after budget hearings.