Safety

 
A sign showing park rules and regulations.
First State NHP Rules & Regulations Sign.

NPS

 

IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 911.

Protect Yourself, Protect the Park!

The safety of our visitors is very important to First State National Historical Park and our partners. Here are a few safety tips for your visit:

  • Pace Yourself
    Be prepared for exercise. Visiting all or some of the park units on the same day is quite a bit of walking and driving. Obtain a map of the sites and plan appropriately.

  • Dress Appropriately for the Season
    Summer months can be extremely hot and humid, with occasional severe thunderstorms. Fall and spring are pleasant with cool temperatures and brisk winds. Winter weather occasionally forces the closure of some park roads and buildings depending on severity. Sensible seasonal dress is recommended for your visit and depending on your planned activities, should include accessories such as sunscreen, hiking boots, and extra water. When exploring the park, make certain you have adequate water and a fully charged cell phone to use in case of an emergency.

  • Footwear
    Should be comfortable with treaded soles to prevent slippage.

  • Slips, Trips and Falls
    Some park areas can be slippery when wet, stay on the pathway and trails as you explore the units.

  • Hiking Safety
    If you will be hiking, please read our Hiking Safety page.

  • Park Wildlife
    Respect animals at a distance: never feed or approach them. Keep your distance from animals, even if they approach you. Use your zoom to take a photo of the animal instead of approaching them. Dispose of your trash in appropriate receptacles and avoid leaving lids open as animals will crawl inside and get trapped. If there is no container available then you are responsible for taking your trash with you. This includes pet waste!

  • Traffic Safety
    Traveling through First State NHP by car provides a wonderful opportunity to slow down and enjoy the park's incredible scenery. When traveling on roads through the park you can protect yourself, other visitors, and park wildlife by observing the following simple rules:
    • Obey posted speed limits;
    • Only park in designated parking lots;
    • Avoid parking on the shoulder of the roadways;
    • Stay alive! Don't drink and drive.
  • Lost Children
    First, call 911. Then contact a park staff member as soon as possible. If you are at the Brandywine Valley Unit you may need to call the park's ranger station 302-478-2769 to get a hold of a Park Ranger.

  • Avoid Ticks!
    Be mindful while walking through tall grass and brush in the park due to avoid ticks, some of which carry diseases such as Lyme Disease, which can be transmitted to humans after contact with an infected deer tick. Visitors who prefer to walk in such areas should be aware of this danger, use proper insect repellent, and be certain to examine their clothing and skin for ticks. For your safety we recommend that visitors stay on walking trails and paths. Visit our Tick Safety page for more information.

  • Swimming
    If you choose to swim in the Brandywine Creek, you do so at your own risk. Lifeguards are not present. Always supervise children closely. The Brandywine Creek can contain organisms that may cause illness, including skin rash. The risk of contracting these infections in First State NHP is not known to be higher than any other natural body of water.

To minimize the risk of illness from swimming and soaking in the Brandywine Creek:

  • Avoid swallowing creek water.
  • Avoid submerging your head or activities that cause water to enter your nose. If you submerge your head, wear nose plugs or hold your nose shut.

  • Do not swim if you have diarrhea. You can spread germs in the water and make other people sick.

Help Us Protect these Special Places

Visitors to First State National Historical Park are the park's most important guardians. Imagine how well-protected the park could be, if everyone helped watch over its special plants, animals, and historical and cultural resources! During your visit to First State NHP, be aware that there are people who unknowingly harm park resources. Please contact the park if you see anyone accidentally damaging park resources.

Water Ways:

Many areas along the Brandywine Creek show signs of human trampling and littering. The soil is bare, heavily eroded, and engulfed in bottle caps. You can help this effort by entering and exiting the river at designated beach area, and avoiding creating your own path to the water. Packing out what you pack in will also help keep the river free from trash and prevent animals from swallowing harmful plastic or aluminum.

Wildlife:

We know that the animals throughout the park may look cute, and they may even beg for food. However, you must not give into their begging. Most animals, including birds, ducks, and squirrels may have complications digesting human food. In addition, this action can cause these animals to become dependent on humans and lead to them forgetting how to hunt or scavenge for food on their own.

Natural Resources:

The park is full of interesting plants and geological features, however it is important that these features stay where they are as they provide necessary resources for other living organisms throughout the park. For example, a rock in the stream may seem as though it holds no significance. However, if you were to look closely you would see that single rock helps shape how the water moves across it. in addition, there may be tiny macroinvertebrates that are using that rock as a shelter from predators.

Cultural Resources:

The park may have many cultural resorces that have been yet to be discovered. It is very important that these resources stay where they are so the park can study them and gain a better understanding of its history. If you accidentally find, or move something that you think may be historically significant please note the location and contact the park immediately: 302-478-2769

Last updated: September 22, 2023

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

New Castle Court House Museum
Attn: First State NHP
211 Delaware Street

New Castle, DE 19720

Phone:

302-478-2769
If you need to speak to a park ranger call our ranger station at (302-478-2769) and someone will return your call as soon as possible. For a more immediate response, please email the park at firststate@nps.gov.

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