BBLA and Town of Bethany Beach Provide Clarity on Pathway
September 2025
The Bethany Beach Landowners Association (BBLA), working in partnership with the Town of Bethany Beach and the Office of the Mayor, developed the following Q&A to address questions and concerns raised by property owners regarding the concept of a potential pedestrian and bicycle passage through town-owned property, often referred to as the Walcek property. This concept was mentioned in a recent traffic study as one possible way to improve pedestrian safety; however, it is not currently an active project.
To help clarify the facts and ensure accurate information is available to the community, BBLA submitted eight questions to Mayor Calef. His responses are provided here in full. Our aim is to share transparent, reliable information, reduce speculation, and keep residents engaged in the conversations that shape our Town’s future.
1. We sense that there are numerous town residents opposed to a Walcek Property Pathway. Why does the Town continue to pursue it?
Our Town Manager, at the behest of Council, continually looks at numerous improvements within town to improve safety, the environment, and, with Bethany being a coastal town subject to ocean, back bay surge, and heavy rain events, our resilience to flooding events. The Walcek Property has been flagged by our recent traffic study as a possible improvement that would provide a safe passage for pedestrians and bicyclists on the north side of Route 26 as we now have with the Collins/Wellington Street walkway South of Route 26. It has also been discussed that it might be good for our citizens to have some viewing access to this natural wetland piece of property similar to the Nature Center. Few towns have the opportunity to provide such access to its citizens.
2. Is it being designed presently for early implementation? Some believe the town is working on this project in particular “behind closed doors”.
Absolutely not, it is one of numerous town projects being reviewed for feasibility, and it is not at the top of the priority list. This is a 5 to 10 year out project, if then. The town has numerous projects, including improvements to North Atlantic, safety improvements to South Pennsylvania, another Route 1 controlled crossing, and sidewalk improvements at several locations, all of which are before any consideration of a path on the Walcek property. We have flooding resiliency projects which top any list of town projects.
3. Some believe the town is spending public money on projects that are not in the interest of our citizens. Is that true?
Bethany Beach, like most communities, has restrictions on the spending of public funds. If you will note, whenever the town purchases a truck or other piece of equipment, it is approved by Council in an open public meeting. Of course, our Town Manager does have the flexibility to make smaller purchases, but if they are project-oriented and of a larger amount approaching his/her limit of $50,000, they are discussed with Council members prior to implementation.
4. Resilience efforts, including beach replenishment and our proposed back bay surge controlling dam, are of particular concern, and most believe they should be addressed before other efforts. Is that occurring?
Resilience is of the utmost concern in Bethany Beach and is the top priority. Beach and dune replenishment is critical to our town, its residents, and our economy. Our Town Manager and Council are extremely active on the state level with Legislators, DNREC, state administrators, and the USACE. Luckily, with the change of state administration last fall, we have an administration and DNREC Secretary who recognize the importance of flooding resiliency in our coastal towns and its extreme importance to our entire state’s economy and environment. Beach replenishment, thanks to our now-retired US Senator Carper and the Water Resources Act of 2024, is now a 20% state/local contribution, which, given the coastal importance to the entire state, will undoubtedly be shouldered by the state. Our proposed dam project has now been recognized at the state level as critical to our towns’ flood prevention, and they are now working with our Town Manager and engineers.
5. Some believe the proposed Walcek property pathway would have major environmental impact on that preserved wetland area. Is that so?
The reason the town has our expert engineers review any and all projects for feasibility is so issues with a project can be flagged before they are proposed for Town review. They look at constructability, cost, environmental impact, and any other potential issues. This is so these can be publicly reviewed by our Town Manager, Council, and the public in workshops and Council meetings, and they have accurate information from which decisions can be made.
6. How many traffic studies have been done over the past 10 years, and why has the most recent one only recently become available?
There has been one study which was completed in November of 2024 when it was provided to Town Council for their review. At that time the Co-Chairs of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety Committee received copies. They discussed placement on their agenda and forwarded to Committee members in March of 2025 for discussion in April. The report was placed on the Town’s website in April as well. There is another smaller study of the Central/Gibson corridor in the works presently, but not back to the town for review. The BBLA is as well currently conducting a study. These studies have been initiated as a result of the Towns’ and the BBLA’s concern for safety, as we experience extensive regional growth, bringing the associated vehicle and foot traffic into and throughout town.
7. What is the town’s policy and practice on competitive bidding for various projects?
Any purchase or contract over $40,000 is subject to the competitive process in our municipality as it is in most municipalities. Only specialized engineering design projects are allowed to be negotiated in order to ensure proper expertise and attention. These are conducted under careful consideration of the Town Council and Town Management.
8. How does the town factor in and address the environmental impact on any project?
Bethany Beach like any municipality in the state of Delaware is governed by DNREC and the USACE when it comes to designing projects and obtaining permits. This requires an in-depth review and approval of the project, whether it is road work, structures, or an access trail. Town hired engineers provide guidance; design to minimize the impact of any proposed project on the environment; and provide an appropriate approach for DNREC and the USACE approval. There are, of course, public workshops and presentations to bring all aspects of any project out for public comment.
