Dune crossings in Bethany Beach reopened

Credit to: Coastal Point, Susan Canfora

Bethany Beach Mayor Ron Calef got his Christmas wish granted early this year — four dune crossovers created by DNREC, all finished and providing access to the beach by Thanksgiving Day.

“I got an e-mail from DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson, and he said we pulled off a Thanksgiving miracle,” Calef told the Coastal Point this week, adding that, when he visited the beach after the work was finished, “It was just jammed with people.”

“DNREC was here at 6 a.m. Monday morning a week ago, on Nov. 24, and they got four of our crossovers open — two of them at Garfield Parkway and at each end, at Parkwood and at the north end at Second Street. They had them open by Wednesday, and they worked great,” he said, adding that the work was paid for by DNREC.

Work to repair dunes damaged during storms in mid-October and at the end of October has not yet been done, but Calef said he was pleased the four crossovers were finished in time for the Town’s busy holiday celebration this weekend.

“I think Christmas in Bethany Beach — the whole Christmas period — is spectacular, and it will be as exciting as ever,” Calef said.

“The tree-lighting is Saturday. We have Santa coming to town. We are having pony rides, but they won’t be on the beach because of the condition of the beach this year. Trolley rides start this weekend, and tractor-drawn hay-wagon rides. The following weekend is Christmas at the Cottages, with alpacas at the Nature Center, and Mrs. Dinker will be at the museum with carolers on the 13^th,” Calef said.

Bethany Beach Events Director Julie Malewski said the pony rides this year will “take place at the playground across from Town Hall, but these are by registration only.”

On Saturday, a “Ginger Man Sighting” is planned for 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Nature Center, party with Santa and face painting at Town Hall from 1 to 3 p.m., and trolley, train and tractor rides downtown from 1 to 4 p.m.

The tree will be lit on the boardwalk at 5 p.m. Saturday.