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Sussex County Land Trust gives council annual update, outlines new park projects and a $8.5 million purchase
Summary
At the June 17 Sussex County Council meeting, Sussex County Land Trust Chairman Bridal Lardner presented the group's annual report, previewing several park projects, new acquisitions and recent fundraising including a $1 million gift and a pending $8.5 million purchase.
Bridal Lardner, chairman of the Sussex County Land Trust, presented the group's annual update to the Sussex County Council on June 17, 2025, detailing recent acquisitions, park projects and fundraising efforts.
The Land Trust has preserved properties countywide and said it has raised over $4,000,000 toward conservation efforts and holds stewardship responsibility for roughly 6,000 acres in partnership with other entities; it manages about 300 acres directly, Lardner said. He told council the trust has a 12-member board (charter allows up to 15) and a full‑time executive director, Sarah Bloom.
Lardner described several projects expected to move forward in the next one to three years: phase 3 improvements at Hudson Park, including parking and restrooms tied to a planned inclusive playground; development of Nanticoke Crossing with a kayak launch designed by GMB; and entrance and internal work at Hopkins Preserve, with public access anticipated in early 2026. He said Forest at Broadkill is a recent county acquisition of roughly 280 acres near Shiloh Point Road and Cool Spring Road that the trust will master‑plan; Lardner said that park could open in about two to three years.
On larger acquisitions, Lardner identified a property called Arnott Negron (near New Road in the Lewis area) of about 90 acres with a purchase price cited as $8,500,000; he said the Longwood Foundation recently donated $1,000,000 as an endowment seed for that property and that the trust is awaiting NRCS appraisal verification before settlement. He also said the trust raised funds through events and grants and that the organization was the beneficiary of the Goldfish Dash fundraiser, which raised more than $100,000 in a recent year.
Lardner said the trust has sought state OPRT (Open Space) grant funding and asked council to consider using council‑set matching funds for Hudson Park phase 3. He described working relationships with federal and state partners, and noted that one property required Navy review because it lies in a military flight path and received Navy approval as part of its master plan.
No council action was taken on the presentation. County Administrator Chip Lawson introduced the Land Trust representatives and council members asked no substantive questions during the presentation.
