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Natural and recreational opportunities abound at Killens Pond
State Park, centrally located in the heart of Kent County. The park's
centerpiece is the 66-acre millpond which features boating and fishing. The all
new Killens Pond Water Park offers resort entertainment in a serene,
natural setting. Only about an 1½ hour drive from either the northern or
southern boundary, Killens Pond makes a perfect home base for exploring the
First State. Open year-round, the park's campground and cozy cabins are popular
retreats no matter what the season.
The millpond was established in the late 1700's. Prior to the
pond's creation, the Murderkill River and surrounding hardwood forest were sites
of several Native American homes and hunting camps. According to legend, the
river's unusual name refers to a local tribe's massacre of a Dutch trading party
at the mouth of the river in 1648. Now a peaceful oasis, Killens Pond became a
state park in 1965.
Fishing and Boating
The pond is home to largemouth bass, catfish, carp, perch,
crappie, bluegills, and pickerel, all of which await the patient angler.
Exploring by boat is easy, thanks to a convenient boat launching ramp. Canoes,
rowboats, surfbikes, kayaks, and pedal boats can be rented during the summer.
The Murderkill River Canoe Trail provides a challenge for the more adventurous
paddler.
Swimming
The new Killens Pond Water Park is not just a
pool—it's an entirely new water experience! Gently sloping from ground level,
the innovatively designed main pool's zero-depth entrance makes getting in and
out easy. It also features three lap lanes along with exciting interactive water
features such as the Floating Lily Pad Fun Walk. For maximum water excitement,
two 27-foot high, 205-foot long twisting and turning water slides end in a
specially designed splash pool. At the tot pool and tot lot, bubblers, ground
water jets, small slides, and a pool-side waterplay system give smaller visitors
lots of fun ways to enjoy a warm summer's day. After working up an appetite,
hungry swimmers can enjoy a variety of menu items at the new food concession.
The Swim Shop is the place for all your sunning and swimming needs.
Recreational Activities
More recreational activities can be found throughout the
woodlands and grassy fields surrounding the pond. Hiking trails and a
cross-country running course wind through several types of habitat featuring
native plants and animals. A number of game courts and ball fields satisfy the
athlete, and an 18-hole disc golf course challenges players to test their skill
with a flying disk. The Life Course Trail offers a healthy challenge; and the
Ice Storm Trail gives hikers a chance to observe the forest's recovery from the
devastating ice storms that struck the area in 1994. The 3.2-mile Pondside Trail
is carpeted with pine needles and sand and winds along the banks of the park's
66-acre mill pond.
Playground equipment and picnic areas are the perfect place for
pleasant lunch or dinner break and four pavilions can be reserved for larger
group events. A bike path from Route 13 to the main entrance provides a
leisurely passage into and out of the park. There is also a new extension that
leads to the water park and sports complex areas.
A number of recreational programs are conducted during the
summer. Autumn hayrides are available by reservation after Labor Day through
mid-November, providing a memorable view of the vivid fall foliage.
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