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Henlopen Acres keeps dune fencing, seeds and ambassadors to protect Block W
Summary
The Henlopen Acres board reported ongoing dune-fencing maintenance at $8.75 per linear foot, a failed spring seeding test and a plan to reseed in October or plant plugs next year; three solar cameras and Beach Ambassadors were credited with ending prior trespassing problems.
At the June 14, 2025 annual meeting, the Henlopen Acres Property Owners Corporation confirmed that dune-fencing maintenance and beach-operations measures will continue to protect Block W from erosion and misuse.
The board said the fencing project will continue with maintenance of the existing perimeter fence and the dune-top fence that captures sand. There are no plans to install new fencing. By sharing mobilization costs with the Henlopen Acres Beach Club, the price of maintenance is reported at $8.75 per linear foot, a 17% reduction from several years prior. Four-inch cedar posts replaced the previous posts and openings were added on the beach side to allow easier cleanup and deer crossings.
Nathalie McGregor described a spring trial of dune grass seeding on a sample plot that struggled to establish despite watering and a rainy spring. McGregor said the correct method is to trench 8–10 inches, add potting soil, and then seed. She will reseed a second sample plot in October; if that fails the board will investigate buying and planting plugs next year.
Board members credited three solar-powered motion-activated cameras and the continuous presence of Beach Ambassadors with discouraging underage nighttime drinking and other trespassing problems that occurred in prior seasons. Beach Ambassadors also performed a post-season cleanup in former encampment sites, collecting 130 gallons of trash, and perform monthly dune walkthroughs during the off-season.
Beach Ambassadors monitor beach passes to distinguish owners from renters and remind renters to bring the correct pass. The ambassadors also handle complaints about umbrella placement; Johan Poulsen and George Dotzel met with Lynam and reached an agreement to space umbrellas to equalize access and to refer future umbrella disputes to the vendor. The board reiterated that a dog waste station is installed at the entrance to the beach path and ambassadors will remind dog owners to pick up waste.
The board said fence maintenance will continue as an operational priority and will coordinate with Henlopen Acres Beach Club to minimize cost.
