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Delaware State Parks

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Alapocas Run State Park
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ALAPOCAS RUN STATE PARK
ALAPOCAS RUN STATE PARK
1914 West Park Dr.
Wilmington, Delaware   19803

Phone: 302-577-1164
Email: park email button icon
It's hard to imagine a lush getaway, situated in the heart of Wilmington, near transportation and major roadways. But, once you discover it, you will return to this park again and again.

The innovative Can-Do Playground, the first Boundless Playground? in Delaware gives children of all abilities a place to play together. Trails through fields and forest will take you to the rock-climbing area, nestled in one of the area's most serene spots.

Along the way, you will pass the extraordinary Blue Ball Barn. The once-abandoned dairy barn built by Alfred I. du Pont has been transformed into a showcase that is the permanent home of the Delaware Folk Art collection. The Blue Ball Barn, progressive in its environmental design, is the perfect place to have your meeting, wedding or conference.

Alapocas Run State Park is located just off of I-95, near the intersection of Concord Pike and Foulk Road in Wilmington.
History of the Area
Located in Wilmington, Delaware, the park was established in 2002. It spans over 415 acres of forest and fields. The area's history dates back to Native American tribes who used it for hunting grounds.

In the early 1800s, William Bancroft purchased land around Alapocas Run stream with a vision to preserve open space. He later donated this property which became part of Brandywine Park.

The Blue Ball Barn within its boundaries is an iconic structure built by Alfred I duPont in 1914 as his dairy barn. In recent years it has been transformed into a folk art museum and event venue.

Visitors can enjoy various recreational activities such as hiking trails or rock climbing at 'Alapocas Crag'. Its diverse landscape also provides habitat for many wildlife species.



Trails
- Northern Delaware Greenway Trail: This 2.4-mile trail is a multi-use path that runs through the park, offering views of wooded areas and open fields.

- Alapocas Woods Park Loop: A moderate difficulty level loop trail spanning approximately 1 mile in length; it offers scenic forest settings and wildlife spotting opportunities.

- Blue Ball Barn to Rock Manor Golf Course Path: An easy walking route stretching about half a mile long with paved surfaces suitable for strollers or wheelchairs as well.

- Can-do Playground Trail: At just under half-a-mile long, this asphalt-paved pathway leads you around the universally accessible playground area within the state park grounds.

- Pawpaw Loop Nature Preserve Hike Route : Approximately one-third of a mile hike which provides access to an old-growth pawpaw patch - rare trees native only to North America's eastern forests.

-Park Drive Paved Walkway : Running parallel along Park Drive road inside Alapocas Run State Park boundaries - spans roughly three-quarters of miles providing walkers with pleasant roadside scenery view points .

-Friends School Boundary Line Walking Track : Short quarter-of-a-mile walk following boundary line between Friends school property & public land showcasing diverse local flora/fauna species .

-Rock Climbing Wall Access Footpath : Barely two-tenths (0.20) miles footpath leading from parking lot directly towards rock climbing wall site located near Brandywine River banks .

-Weldin Ruins Historic Site Stroll Waypoint ; Just over tenth(0.10)of-miles stroll taking visitors right up close historic Weldin ruins remains dating back late eighteenth century era structures once standing there before fire destruction event occurred during early twentieth-century period time frame .
Area Attractions
Blue Ball Barn

This extraordinary barn, built in 1914 by Alfred I. duPont, is named after the Blue Ball Tavern, an inn and meeting house, that was once located near the property. The Blue Ball Barn is the centerpiece of the new Alapocas Run State Park, and an example of the preservation and adaptive reuse of an historic structure.

Renovations have created a multifunctional conference and gallery space, featuring meeting rooms, a large banquet room and a secluded courtyard for intimate gatherings. With the Delaware Folk Art Collection as your backdrop, your occasion is certain to be memorable and unique.

Delaware Folk Art Collection

The Delaware Folk Art Collection showcases the work of more than 50 artists. The collection, on permanent exhibit at the Blue Ball Barn, reflects Delaware's local cultures.

LEED Building

The newly-renovated Blue Ball Barn is a LEED-certified building. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design LEED rating system has been widely embraced as the environmentally-friendly building design standard. The Blue Ball Barn is the first public building in Delaware to receive this certification. These green building practices save money and resources and provide healthier environments for employees and visitors.

Can-Do Playground

The 27,000 square foot Can-Do Playground, is the first Boundless Playground in Delaware. Designed to be accessible to every child, regardless of physical, mental and sensory abilities, the playground was made possible with the help of six Wilmington-area Rotary Clubs.

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Directions
Directions from Wilmington, Delaware:

- Start on N King St heading towards E 2nd St.
- Turn left onto W 4th Street.
- Continue straight to stay on W 4th street for about a mile.

From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

- Begin at I -95 S in Chester Township from US -1S
- Follow I -95 S to Concord Pike/US -202N in Fairfax.
- Take exit eight B-A and continue with the directions above.

From Baltimore, Maryland:

- Get started by taking MD -295 North out of downtown Baltimore area.
- Merge into Interstate ninety-five northbound (I -95 N).
- Exit off interstate ninety five using exit number seven A-B-C toward DE Route fifty two /Delaware Avenue/Downtown/Wilmington

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Delaware
9

Delaware State Parks

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