
On March 28th, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm DNREC will share the latest news on the Bancroft Bridge.
Please click here for more details and meeting information.
Enjoy a leisure 0.7-mile-long hike through mature woodlands in the middle of the city. Look for native pawpaw trees and take in the sights and sounds of nature.
The cliffs, made of blue rock gneiss, offer a glimpse into the park’s quarrying past. These rocks were once used to help build the city of Wilmington!
Step back in time at the Blue Ball Barn. Learn about the rich history of the area while touring The Delaware Folk Art Collection.
 Hike or bike through the natural and cultural history of Wilmington! Stop at historic overlooks to learn about the textile mills that once thrived throughout the region.
Kids of all abilities can go for a swing, or play in the sand at Delaware's first "boundless playground." You can also read a new story on the Storybook Trail.
Climb Delaware’s only natural rock climbing wall! Our staff offer top-rope climbing programs — with some basic tips and equipment, rock climbing can be a unique way to experience the park.
Around Delaware’s beautiful Blue Rock cliff, formerly quarried and now home to the state’s only natural rock-climbing wall, natural resources like mature woodlands and the Brandywine River meet a rich industrial and cultural history at Alapocas Run State Park. The Blue Ball Barn, now a popular event space named for the Blue Ball Tavern that once served travelers in the area, was built in the 1900s as a dairy barn that supported A.I. DuPont’s Nemours estate. It now houses the Delaware Folk Art Collection and tells the park’s history in story form. Pawpaw trees, North America’s largest native fruit-bearing tree, grows in the forest understory. Delaware’s only venomous snake, the non-aggressive Northern Copperhead, occurs here. A Storybook Trail winds around the Can-do Playground, designed to be accessible to every child. Alapocas Run is also home to the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail, a National Recreation Trail.
The land that became Alapocas Run State Park was donated to the city of Wilmington in the early 1900s by local industrialist William Bancroft. It eventually came to include the Blue Ball Barn, built in 1914 by Bancroft's neighbor, Alfred I. DuPont, who named the barn after an inn and meeting house that was once located near the property. Alapocas Run became a state park in 2002.
This extraordinary barn, progressive in its environmental design, is the current home of the Delaware Folk Art Collection. Renovations have created a multifunctional conference, special event and gallery space for events, weddings and conferences, featuring meeting rooms, a large banquet room and a secluded courtyard. The Blue Ball Barn was the first public building in Delaware to become a LEED-certified building, meaning it meets stringent environmentally-friendly building design standards.
Learn more about the Blue Ball Barn, including how to host your event here.
November 3-28
"Oil painting, chiefly from observation, enables me to quickly capture a transient moment while immersing myself in what I believe is a meditation on both awe-inspiring and humble subjects. Through painting, I hope to share this experience of quiet contemplation with others." - Jane Campbell.
Jane Campbell’s work has been exhibited in numerous regional exhibitions and is part of private collections throughout the U.S. She is the former Director of Admissions at the Delaware College of Art and Design as well as Director of Continuing Education.
After historic floods from the remnants of Hurricane Ida during the last week of August in 2021, the Bancroft Bridge was struct with high flood water and heavy debris causing severe damage. The Division closed the bridge and performed structural analysis to determine the impact of the damage. The Division has a written report and recorded a presentation of the findings and alternative solutions evaluated to fix or replace the bridge.
View the video presentation from the March 28, 2023 meeting.
View the video presentation from the October 27, 2022 meeting.
View the video presentation from the February 10, 2022 meeting.
Available are also the follwoing presentations:
The collection currently contains over 120 works from Delaware artists, reflecting the diverse cultural backgrounds that make up the First State. Visitors are able to tour the exhibits in person at the Barn or take a virtual tour. The Blue Ball Barn is a Frommer’s recommended attraction.
The 27,000 square foot Can-Do Playground, is the first Boundless Playground™ in Delaware. Designed to be accessible to every child, regardless of physical, mental and sensory abilities, the playground was made possible with the help of six Wilmington-area Rotary Clubs. For more information about boundless playgrounds, visit the Can-Do Playground website.
Is your club, league, or group looking for a well-maintained area for games or other activities? Three versatile fields in the East Park section of Alapocas Run State Park offer a variety of opportunities for organized sports.
Fields 1 and 2: Soccer, lacrosse, field hockey, flag football, Ultimate Frisbee®, kickball
Field 3: Field hockey, flag football, Ultimate Frisbee®, rugby, youth soccer, youth lacrosse
The athletic field permit application available under Maps + Downloads on this page contains field reservation information and rates.
Alapocas Run State Park offers top-rope climbing and rappelling. In top roping, the rope is run from the climber through an anchor at the top of the climb, then back down to attach to the belayer. The belayer is able to stop a falling climber immediately, which makes top-rope climbing one of the safest forms of climbing. Rappelling is a controlled descent on a rope from an anchor on the top of a rock or cliff face. Like top-rope climbing, rappelling requires a mechanical device that can lock the rope, preventing an uncontrolled descent. The park offers climbing programs and camps.
More info can be found on our Rock Climbing page
A climbing permit is required to use the park’s rock wall; the application is available on this page under Maps + Downloads.
Friday, December 8, 2023
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Friday, December 15, 2023
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Friday, December 22, 2023
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Friday, December 29, 2023
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Friday, January 5, 2024
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
6:30 PM
Today we think of beer as a luxury item, but this was not always true! Even though the basic concepts are the same, 18th Century brewing and modern brewing are quite different. In the 18th Century they did not have the benefit of modern instruments. Instead, they had to brew using their five basic senses -- What does it feel like, how does it look, smell, taste, and sound? It’s an art. Michael Carver, The Regimental Brewmeister will bring an 18th Century brewery to the Blue Ball Barn and show how these simple tools were use in 18th Century America to brew amazing beers. He will explain the process, the ingredients, the differences from modern beer and brewing, as well as why beer was so critical to life in colonial America. Samples of 18th century beer will be provided during this program for those 21 years of age or older. Please call to pre-register at 302-577-1164.
Friday, January 12, 2024
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
6:00 PM
Learn basic quilling techniques with Kelly Martin, owner of Paper Hibiscus, while creating a Valentine's day themed card to keep or give to someone special. $15 per person.
Friday, January 19, 2024
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Saturday, January 20, 2024
10:00 AM
Snow or Mud? Either way, we will explore the winter woods of Alapocas Run State Park. This hike will be on a combination of paved and unpaved paths with some hills. Pre-registration is required by noon, January 26th & February 16. Call 302 577-1164. Free.
Sunday, January 21, 2024
9:00 AM
This class will discuss the history of the chair and the various types of traditional seat weaving: rushing, shaker tape, splinting, paper splinting, hand caning, pressed caning and French Continental caning. Students will construct a sampler of traditional hand caning. Attendance in this class is REQUIRED in order to qualify for Advanced ladderback seating (rushing, splinting etc.) that will be offered later in the year. Pre-registration required. $50 per person.
Friday, January 26, 2024
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
8:00 AM
Alapocas Run isn't the only Delaware State Park with works of art in its collection. The Blue Ball Barn will host a selection of pieces from Auburn Valley State Park in Yorklyn, Delaware. Auburn Valley is home to the Auburn Heights mansion, the home of three generations of the Marshall family, and their collection of antique furniture and art. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs December 1st through January 31st during business hours.
Thursday, February 1, 2024
8:00 AM
'The BLACK & WHTE REDactEd Coloring Book' This experience consists of a variety of pieces collected as a result of an active and retro active examination of experiences. The works are inclusive of a black and white series of paintings, prints, and photographs. This collection is a visual representation of the otherwise unseen. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs February `1st through February 29th during business hours.
Thursday, February 8, 2024
8:00 AM
'The BLACK & WHTE REDactEd Coloring Book' This experience consists of a variety of pieces collected as a result of an active and retro active examination of experiences. The works are inclusive of a black and white series of paintings, prints, and photographs. This collection is a visual representation of the otherwise unseen. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs February `1st through February 29th during business hours.
Sunday, February 11, 2024
9:00 AM
Apple baskets are old in origin and got it's name because it has a 'bump' inside on the bottom that allows the produce to sit without being squished and allows air circulation. Students will learn continuous weaving, how to make the 'bump' as well as attaching a swing handle.
Thursday, February 15, 2024
8:00 AM
'The BLACK & WHTE REDactEd Coloring Book' This experience consists of a variety of pieces collected as a result of an active and retro active examination of experiences. The works are inclusive of a black and white series of paintings, prints, and photographs. This collection is a visual representation of the otherwise unseen. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs February `1st through February 29th during business hours.
Saturday, February 17, 2024
10:00 AM
Snow or Mud? Either way, we will explore the winter woods of Alapocas Run State Park. This hike will be on a combination of paved and unpaved paths with some hills. Pre-registration is required by noon, January 26th & February 16. Call 302 577-1164. Free.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
6:30 PM
Do you want to bring more butterflies, birds, and bees into your garden? Join Leah Brooks of Mt. Cuba Center to find out which plants will give you the most bang for your buck. Bring a list of your favorites to the nursery this spring and create the ultimate pollinator-friendly garden. Light refreshments will be served. Please call to pre-register at 302-577-1164. Free.
Thursday, February 22, 2024
8:00 AM
'The BLACK & WHTE REDactEd Coloring Book' This experience consists of a variety of pieces collected as a result of an active and retro active examination of experiences. The works are inclusive of a black and white series of paintings, prints, and photographs. This collection is a visual representation of the otherwise unseen. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs February `1st through February 29th during business hours.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
1:00 PM
Bring your love of nature and color to this workshop exploring mixed media methods combining traditional watercolor paints, calligraphy inks, and collage with artist Stephanie Przybylek. Learn how to work with these materials to create bold, expressive artworks and create your own designs on paper to turn into collage elements. All materials included and no experience necessary. Just arrive with your enthusiasm and willingness to experiment! $15 per person.
Thursday, February 29, 2024
8:00 AM
'The BLACK & WHTE REDactEd Coloring Book' This experience consists of a variety of pieces collected as a result of an active and retro active examination of experiences. The works are inclusive of a black and white series of paintings, prints, and photographs. This collection is a visual representation of the otherwise unseen. Free, no need to register. Exhibition runs February `1st through February 29th during business hours.