[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6110473,"mediaKeyId","2757757-a305109e870979aa1261ab152a4f9a17","parentId",2757757,"title","Board hears pickleball lighting proposal; staff cites vendor quotes and adds budget request to CIP","audioSeconds",387,"startMs",2210000,"endMs",2597000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757757-a305109e870979aa1261ab152a4f9a17&start=2210&end=2597","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757757-a305109e870979aa1261ab152a4f9a17/thumbnail_2210000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6110473/Delaware/Board-hears-pickleball-lighting-proposal-staff-cites-vendor-quotes-and-adds-budget-request-to-CIP","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110473-0cdf047cd1891d457f4f056c24b57cf6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014248&Signature=Qvnizh4mrrYCI0vKxBciSzl~XBXReuWHEuAevorHz8k7kR3FzB5s2l4VEO-fkN12dx3LSbqz5RvJsiw3R~SqYHRiUGScZCB-enYawTZBhsgh4Sw8LKpalieWyYg5C~RtKUv8EtOtMga9B7f-oezjhGgkpVQ-nM2g9zar-NDd7hgrWCicgin3Gqj1an8~hPzquSnV24cMuaoE9HGYChYLv8Sfb2fupxdJ2fQFaUygOx3ncMDQhzaoNMyiisHH90uEHltkUNQsghG6qvh9uyseGOrOvisHdP2JzPWvdAy~Kqf8Ufj-EeWQPvYuneeI0rg7WpmTxNe9WCV52eEYVtxFxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Milford ","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Staff told the advisory board that players have made multiple requests for lighting at the city’s pickleball courts and that the city is pursuing vendor quotes and budgeting for the work.

“Musco Sports Lighting is just a vendor, and with any project like this we would have to put it out for bid,” staff said, adding they had an initial ballpark figure of about $200,000. Later in the discussion staff provided more specific vendor estimates, saying “the pickleball courts is roughly about $300,000 and the basketball courts is about a hundred thousand dollars.” Staff emphasized that inclusion in the capital-improvement plan is only a request and that council must approve any funding: “Just because I've put it in doesn't mean the council will approve it.”

Board members raised typical concerns about late-night activity near adjacent apartments and noise. Staff said they had not received formal complaints from neighbors since the courts opened but suggested restricted hours would likely be considered; one board member suggested not going past 9:30–10 p.m. Staff noted modern LED systems and app/timer controls allow precise direction and scheduling of light, which can reduce off-site glare.

Staff said they would obtain additional quotes, include the proposal in the capital budget process (budgets run July 1–June 30), and consider whether to light basketball courts in a subsequent year if funding is limited, to keep allocation equitable between user groups.

Clarifying details: staff reported an initial informal estimate of about $200,000 from vendor discussion; later vendor/quote figures provided in the meeting were ~$300,000 for pickleball courts and ~$100,000 for basketball courts; hours and final specifications were not yet determined; staff will submit formal bids and seek council approval through the CIP process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Milford Parks & Recreation Advisory Board - March 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Staff reported community interest in adding lights to pickleball courts and presented vendor information and cost estimates; staff will seek quotes and included the item in the capital-improvement budget though council approval is not guaranteed.","taxTitle","Milford, Sussex County, Delaware","taxId",79595,"location","Delaware","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110478,"City staff flags major Riverwalk bulkhead damage; short-term safety work underway",227,1969000,2196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757757-a305109e870979aa1261ab152a4f9a17&start=1969&end=2196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757757-a305109e870979aa1261ab152a4f9a17/thumbnail_1969000.jpg","/articles/6110478/Delaware/City-staff-flags-major-Riverwalk-bulkhead-damage-short-term-safety-work-underway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110478-cd3b8cbcfe25bbfaa0a1a3cbbc6f52a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014248&Signature=Agxqak-lhofcm5csM~cf8JjyKE9AgzXpbgfLgOKx8cr8g4FUkxDlDFVtI7sIWF6jD9M-IrVopF7R4R8z3f0PMUBlBNUkj55N1PGbrmlUCBAKI38YbNbLvpKw-tcky9BVcLEsbWOgEyiOR~by4XZ0ve74DaBkMX7QK2RTOlty8aaxo4yAHqMV96dt0MA2pHrUEsPK-3H3H0vnFI4crmJ3r1Wq3JJSmd7pPrHUNsjlDVOVLCWiSLzz1aR~IQll1I7T-JIFHEz4ZTXODQZzsQAvr6A0~pBTU7jZT-PXYZMh~UvxLnrjelpbEEpgEU4A6fT8n3yG8yeFLrNDyBn~DB0x2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff reported a significant structural failure along the Riverwalk bulkhead after winter storms and a heavy rain event exposed longstanding tidal undermining, and the affected section is cordoned off while temporary stabilizing work proceeds.

Staff described the damage to the advisory board and said public works crews have been removing broken concrete and undermined fill while engineers evaluate short- and longer-term repair options. “You can see the massive cracking along the bulkhead,” staff said, and added that the river’s tidal range—about six feet daily—has contributed to long-term undermining.

GPI Engineering, the firm the city engaged for related riverfront work, inspected the site and provided a proposal the council authorized last week to begin immediate work. Staff said the engineers will propose a short-term fix and longer-term options, then return with cost and design alternatives; a survey crew is scheduled to start next week. Staff described common remedies such as driving vertical steel and backfilling with concrete but said they are seeking alternatives that are less visually intrusive (riprap boulders, terraced access, or living-shoreline elements) where feasible.

The city has cordoned off the area with a six-foot chain-link fence and warned the public the repair is neither simple nor inexpensive; staff said earlier estimates and discussion put the work in the “around half a million dollars” range, though final costs depend on the chosen solution and engineering findings. Staff asked the board for feedback on aesthetic and access choices before engineers finalize options.

Clarifying details: the city described daily tidal variation of about six feet, active removal of concrete by public works under engineer direction, a six-foot chain-link safety barrier in place, GPI Engineering leading the evaluation, a survey crew starting next week, and preliminary cost estimates discussed at about $500,000 (estimate subject to change after engineering and permitting).","Winter storms and heavy rain exposed extensive undermining and cracking of the Riverwalk bulkhead; city closed the area, engaged GPI Engineering, and expects multi-option repair proposals with an estimated cost in the hundreds of thousands.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110483,"Advisory board recommends Deep Branch Park plan after Sussex County preliminary approval",662,1165000,1827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2757757-a305109e870979aa1261ab152a4f9a17&start=1165&end=1827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2757757-a305109e870979aa1261ab152a4f9a17/thumbnail_1165000.jpg","/articles/6110483/Delaware/Advisory-board-recommends-Deep-Branch-Park-plan-after-Sussex-County-preliminary-approval","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110483-758506d4a50d715e9ed14fb185a37b77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771014248&Signature=XvmgmqsD7Jb4FMboc2JyKtvSad7cNDpW8nrhVBuGQUGTPT2jmR6Khau-39aSfM2dzHS5admrn6qvjWmhz2UBaz6zdQfL4RqYZ-~jp6fEzHIu~kIkEAj2o7beznXdPt9ILNhi49f4NNcjxcymSiPFQQCvHvFAdDgIersRJtZ3mF28yehZRQm0qlR~XTFPpzjJNRhT-XJm8wKQknK3jrYhBw-3fcFWwOjMfqy6XdIaMfXdXsUS2K3NsMSa0fYrhpd~IvN3v1onFQ8VaUTkIpwG9h~51xbVPd~oC7G~G-DI6bu6kBsXUuE6VN4p7gzuJXbXsEpAH2xmHkVEbvtSe3f7KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted to recommend that the Deep Branch Park preliminary plan be presented to Milford City Council for approval and authorization to solicit bids, after designers said Sussex County granted preliminary approval at tonight’s county meeting.

Becker Morgan Group designer Jonathan Richard told the advisory board the city purchased the site in November 2021 and that the parcel is about 19.4 acres and currently zoned AR-1 in Sussex County. “We were green lighted to go forward, you know, with Sussex County on this,” Richard said, noting a public open house on Sept. 12, 2024 gathered community feedback used to refine the concept.

The plan shown to the board includes roughly seven acres of open lawn, a picnic pavilion, a multi-age playground area, walking and biking trails intended to connect to South Rehoboth Avenue, courts (options include pickleball and basketball), and a two-fixture public restroom. Richard said the team will connect sewer to an existing pump station north of the site and that off-site improvements may be required to reach that pump station. He said geotechnical borings are contracted to determine whether the proposed pond will function as an infiltration pond.

Design lead Austin Duplanti of Becker Morgan Group described the pavilion as an open-sided structure that would tie into the Riverwalk and existing sidewalks. Richard said the concept was refined after the public asked for more buffering between the park and neighboring homes and for limited nighttime lighting: “this is going to be more than likely a dusk to dawn type of park, so we're not proposing any type of lights out there,” he said, adding that Sussex County has a night-light ordinance the project will follow.

Next steps listed by designers include submitting plans to DelDOT (Delaware Department of Transportation), Sussex Conservation District and the State Fire Marshal, and returning to Sussex County for final approval once those agency reviews are complete. Richard said the project team submitted the county preliminary plan on Jan. 22, 2025, and received the county’s approval the evening of the advisory board meeting.

A board member moved and a second was made to present the plan to council for approval and to authorize solicitation of bids; no opposition was voiced and the motion passed. The board discussion recorded no additional conditions to the motion. The designers and staff said they will return with refined drawings and cost information as the agency reviews proceed.

Clarifying details: the city purchased the site in November 2021; designers described about 19.4 acres total and roughly seven acres of open space; the public open house took place Sept. 12, 2024; the preliminary site-plan submission date was Jan. 22, 2025; the plan calls for two public restroom fixtures and requires a sewer connection to a nearby pump station; Sussex County preliminary approval was received the night of the meeting.","Designers presented a 19.4-acre plan for Deep Branch Park; Sussex County granted preliminary site-plan approval and the board voted to recommend the plan be presented to city council for final approval and solicitation of bids.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board hears pickleball lighting proposal; staff cites vendor quotes and adds budget request to CIP

City staff flags major Riverwalk bulkhead damage; short-term safety work underway

Advisory board recommends Deep Branch Park plan after Sussex County preliminary approval