Delaware's Carper Pushes Biden's Plan for a National Park
By Deb Bell, Washington Whispers
It's been a long time since tiny Delaware distinguished itself as it did way back in 1787 when state fathers huddling at Dover's Golden Fleece Tavern became the first to ratify the Constitution. Now, more than two centuries later, Delaware is back as the state of firsts. And not just because Joe Biden is the first vice president from Delaware. The mid-Atlantic coastal state could finally get its first national park, a goal championed by Biden in the 1990s. And he's now in a position to make sure it happens.
Leading Delaware's charge is Democratic Sen. Tom Carper, whose bid to revive the national park effort was buoyed by support from President Bush's interior secretary, Dirk Kempthorne, and now has the backing of President Obama's interior chief, Ken Salazar. "If you thought Dirk Kempthorne was helpful," Carper says Salazar told him, "you've not seen nothing yet."
Delaware doesn't have what most national parks do—vast acreage. But at the suggestion of First State citizens, Interior is looking at a unique model that would connect historical and cultural landmarks in a collection of spoke and hub patterns, like a bike. "A hub with spokes leading to maybe the Golden Fleece Tavern where the Constitution was first debated and ratified in 1787," suggests Carper. "Or the spokes could lead to stops on the Underground Railroad." Legislation is required, but with the support of Biden and Salazar, says Carper, "I like our chances."
Illustration by Ed Wexler for USN&WR
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Tags: Delaware | Joseph R. Biden, Jr. | national parks
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all good things
Carper Biden and a National Park for Delaware
Senator Carper had a study done and they recomended a coastal park. Well that makes all three tof Delaware's counties happy but has no ryhn or reason to it...NPS did exhaustive study and found a place for a Park in Delaware....At the present time the NPS does not have a park that represents the founding of the US from 1650 to signing of the Constution. They have tooo many forts and sea shore parks. Yes it would be spokes and hub park. The hub recomended by NPS is New Castle a treasure yet undicovered by much of America. Carper is still pushing for a Hub in Wilmington where there is no place to eat and where people get shot of a regular basis (sorry about that but it is true)Carper also wants Lewes included granted it was first settlement but there is nothing of it left and after they wre killed no one came to settle again for 30 years.... The NPS held many meetings ( I was at most) and they said repeatedly they do not want to buy land or recreat any thing they are about preserving the real,,, New Casle should be the hub it is real with buildings prior to Williaam Penn's arrival. Secertary Salazar said at a meeting in New Castle the plan is good lets do this and add more later if necissary.
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