Jay’s Nest Playground closed until further notice following recent evaluation

The community-built Jay’s Nest Playground is closed until further notice after a recent evaluation deemed several areas unsafe. Presenting to the council, Director of Economic Development Trisha Newcomer said Tri-State Community Partners conducted the evaluation and although some repairs were completed in 2025, many structures are in need of replacement.

The committee began in 2024 to discuss the Jay’s Nest renovations and in 2025 a full presentation with options was presented to council. In the first phase, Newcomer said, “It is best to just do the removal of everything at this point in time, because why spend the funds to ultimately end up having to turn around and remove it. We’d rather put those funds back into the site remediation, getting it ready, and getting equipment out there for children to play on.”

The next phase may take up to one year, but can start simultaneously with the first phase. The committee will conduct a community survey, along with fundraising, which can begin immediately. Additionally, the project will require grant monies, which are currently being investigated. The community feedback will be important as the project progresses.

“I think that’s going to drive this playground, originally it was based on community efforts, and we want to make sure that we get that input as well,” said Newcomer.

Phase three is long-term construction of what the plan comes out to be, and the continued ongoing of community engagement and donor engagement.

Newcomer said although the decision is sad, the safety of the children must come first and both the Soroptomist and Nutter Park may provide some playground features to help fill the gaps. Councilwoman Stephanie Grassett spoke as a member of the committee and said, “We did not take this decision lightly. It was very concerning what we heard. I know my late husband worked on this project. I have a sentimental attachment to it too, but I want my grandchildren safe.”

Newcomer also told the council it would be helpful to request an updated proposal by GMB because of the drainage. Once all information is received, there will be more specifics on costs. The city will be responsible for the demolition, fencing, drainage, infrastructure. The city will also apply for the capital investment and grants, secure construction management, and manage long-term ownership. The Tri-State Community partners will provide project leadership and coordination, community engagement, design, fundraising, marketing, donor stewardship, and grant readiness.

The committee will return to council with updates and plans, but the playground is closed and may not be entered.

Prescription Opioid Settlement funds- Assistant Deputy Chief Tyler Justice brought before council a proposed grant to utilize the funds from the Prescription Opioid Settlement. The monies would create a prevention hub in Nutter Park. The prevention program would include the collaboration of the Sussex County Health Coalition and OUTLOUD Delaware.

OUTLOUD provides youth a voice as they grow through the years with programming and working with families and mentors to help impact lives.

The Sussex County Health Coalition works with families to improve the health and well-being of the youth and families. The program has grown exponentially since its inception in 2006 and now provides seven focus areas to help build a better community.

Together, the three components will bring crime prevention through environment designing for safety, youth programming, education, harm reduction, social determinant, and community engagement to name a few. The community may see improvements such as court resurfacing, additional cameras, more interactions within the community, monthly community sessions, quarterly community events, quarterly community listening sessions, programming related to community response to events with input and what they see as effective, as well as personal pride in the area by deterring negative behavior, more community watches with support. The council approved the grant submission. Vice Mayor Dan Henderson noted to the council that the funding is full circle as the opioid epidemic tore many towns down and told council Seaford can benefit from the settlement money to begin restoration

“I am really grateful to you and the two partners for putting all this together so that we can start to recover,” he said.

Parking area requirements- The council listened to the first reading presented by Building Official Mike Bailey to revise Chapter 15 of the code to include requirements for parking areas being used for people with disabilities. The state adopted an updated code in 2025 that required municipalities and counties to add these sections to their code updating language for ADA, handicap parking spaces, restriping  and repaving in commercial locations. Additionally, the first reading to update the city plumbing code to the 2021 edition of the International Plumbing Code was presented. Finally, the first reading to update the city building code to the 2021 edition of the International Building Code. All three will be brought back to council with any updates for a second reading and vote.

Closing on property- The city, together with Nanticoke Watershed Alliance and the Chesapeake Conservancy, closed on the property located at 121 South Conwell Street. City Manager Charles Anderson told council the property was subdivided, and the city purchased the back half lot adjacent to the Nanticoke River. The land is strategically next to the Oyster House Park. Anderson noted it will ensure that the interceptor sewer project can be done cost effectively. Anderson said the city will be up out of the floodplain. The home located on the property will be used by the Watershed Alliance as their headquarters. Anderson spoke on the importance of the relationship with the alliance, which has assisted the city on several projects.

“This is definitely an example of what a collaborative mindset and a unified vision can do. We’ve talked a long time, even with the Chesapeake Conservancy, about if we could just ever get that property and then Nanticoke Watershed just happened to be looking for an office, and the conversation was started, and we really didn’t think that this was going to happen. And here we are today, it actually has happened,” said Anderson.

Electronic speed monitoring- The council voted to approve the revision to Chapter 8 by adding to the code outlining an electronic speed monitoring system requirements. Deputy Chief Justice presented, at the previous meeting, the process that will occur to install the electronic speed monitoring system. Additionally, it was reviewed that the money generated from the program primarily goes to the state and the city does not benefit from the profits. The city would be the administer of the program and own the cameras. The initial phase are speed studies completed within the year of approval for the cameras, the public receives a 14 day notice, a photo enforced sign will be installed for motorists.

The camera program is DelDOT approved and the vendor is consistent throughout the state. The system will be calibrated by the city with ongoing annual calibrations. Violations begin at 11 miles over the speed limit and are civil penalties, therefore a driver does not receive points on the license. All violations are verified in a two-step process and payments are handled through the camera vendor. The revenue may be used to cover the program expenses and all other profits go to Office of Highway Safety and not to the city.The program goal is safety and to reduce speeding and crashes in Seaford.