Camp Akenac unveiling a success

Dingmans Ferry n Two days after Delaware Township’s Beautification Day, which was the township’s first event at newly acquired Camp Akenac recreation area, Delaware supervisors, Ileana Hernandez and Ted Parsell declared the event a success. Hernandez commended the township’s Recreation Committee and the Environmental Advisory Council for their planning and hard work. “For most residents in the community, this was their first access ever to Camp Akenac,” she said, explaining that the camp had been in private hands for decades. Hernandez went on to say that the reaction from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, even from those who had criticized the township’s purchase of the property. “We knew that once the public had an opportunity to see the facility for themselves,” said the long time Delaware supervisor, “they would understand why we moved to acquire the property as quickly as we could.” Parsell agreed with Hernandez that it was important for residents to see what had been acquired. “If we didn’t do this,” he said, “all of this expanse would be open to development. That means more houses, more services needed, more children to educate, and more traffic on roads that can barely handle what we have.” The township Beautification Day is an annual event that brings volunteer individuals and groups together for trash pick up along roadways, as well as other activities that enhance the appearance of township and community properties. This year, the “kick off” for the day was a breakfast provided by the Recreation Committee and other volunteers, such as long time resident, Scott Dipple, who provided fresh eggs for scrambling direct from his backyard henhouse. After the road cleanup, volunteers returned to the camp for a barbecue lunch and an opportunity to explore further the new surroundings. Although the camp is not yet open for general access, the plans are in the works, and the township is working on getting grants. Both Hernandez and Parsell thanked the volunteers who came to the camp and the residents for coming out to support the township’s efforts to keep Delaware clean.