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Community parks · New Castle County

Brandywine Springs Park

New Castle County · 3300 Faulkland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808

Open in Google Maps to Brandywine Springs Park (opens Google Maps)

Photographs

A wet paved path curving away through mature hardwoods, a big trunk close on the left, mown grass to the right and wooded ground rising beyond.The paved path near the parking lot, curving off under old trees after the rain.2026-08-10
A shallow rocky stream running through wooded parkland after rain, a dirt footpath and mown clearing along the left bank, leafy trees crowding both sides.The stream that runs through the park, low and clear over its stones after a wet morning.2026-08-10
A still pond under a gray sky, the far treeline and clouds mirrored on the surface, a half-sunk log floating in the middle with a small turtle on it.The pond by the old dam, holding the whole gray sky. A turtle had the half-sunk log to itself.2026-08-10
A large blue-and-tan metal play structure with two roofed towers, a curved bridge, slides and climbers, set on wood-chip mulch under a big shade tree, swings off to the left and open lawn beyond.The playground, in the shade of one big tree and set on wood chips, with the swings just off to the left.2026-08-10
A rocky stream dropping over a low ledge into a clear pool, moss-green boulders on both banks and a wooden bench up on the far side.Where the stream drops over the rocks below the little cascade, a bench up on the bank.2026-08-10
A crushed-stone path curving through dense green summer woods, tall trunks and thick understory close on both sides.One of the unpaved paths, crushed stone winding back through the summer woods.2026-08-10
A small memorial bench facing an open playing field, a brass plaque on the backrest, mown grass behind and a ball-field backstop in the distance.A small memorial bench at the edge of the ball fields, in memory of Anthony Durbano and Fred Mitsdarfer, Sr.2026-08-10
A framed New Castle County interpretive sign showing a labeled map of the 1911 Brandywine Springs amusement park, with the roller coaster, carousel, dance hall on the lake, trolley line and dozens of other attractions drawn over the present-day roads and creeks.The park’s own historic-site map, on the sign by the parking lot — where every ride, the trolley line and the old mill once stood.New Castle County interpretive sign · map by Mark R. Lawlor (1991), redrawn by Richard D. Reader with Mark R. Lawlor (2020) · 2026-08-10
Swipe for the rest.

Restrooms

Portable units — season not confirmed

Portable toilets on site, not permanent restrooms. Seen in person; whether they stay through winter I did not check.

Confirmed 10 Aug 2026 · Site maintainer, in person

The site of a 19th-century resort and later an amusement park, now woodland and playing fields with interpretive markers where the rides used to be. Volunteers run archaeology days.

What's there

Facilities

11/13 confirmed
Playground
Yes
Drinking water
No
Shade
Yes
Pavilion
Yes
Grills
Yes
Trails
Yes
Paved path
Yes
Courts / fields
Yes
Fishing
Not confirmed
Disc golf
Not confirmed
Skate park
No
Dog park
No

Hours and contact

Hours
Dawn to dusk
Phone
302-395-5606New Castle County's parks permit office. The county publishes no separate number for this park, so this reaches the people who run it rather than the gate.

Other community parks in New Castle County

Where it is

Brandywine Springs Park, 3300 Faulkland Rd, Wilmington, DE 19808Directions →

Field notes

What I saw on the day. Not checked with anyone, and it can go out of date faster than the facts above.

  • Field note · 10 August 2026 · Site maintainer

    Two interpretive signs by the parking lot lay out what the woods and playing fields used to be. Brandywine Springs started in the early 1800s as a luxurious hotel and mineral-spring spa, and from the 1890s into the 1920s it ran as a Victorian amusement park — two roller coasters, an 1890s Dentzel carousel, a dance hall out on the lake, a roller-skating rink and a moving-picture theatre, reached by trolley and by the B&O railroad. Almost none of it stands now, but more than thirty foundations, bridges and benches remain, and the signs mark where each ride was. The Friends of Brandywine Springs (fobsde.org), a volunteer group, built those signs, cleared the trails and put two footbridges across Hyde Run, and they still run monthly archaeological digs with the Archaeological Society of Delaware. Dug-up artifacts are shown at the Red Clay Valley Visitors Center at Greenbank Station, and you can take a self-guided tour straight from the sign.

  • Field note · 10 August 2026 · Site maintainer

    I looked for a drinking fountain or a spigot and couldn’t find one on this visit, so bring your own water, especially on a hot day.

  • Field note · 10 August 2026 · Site maintainer

    To reserve one of the picnic pavilions or a ball field, the park sign lists the New Castle County Permits Section at 302-395-5625. That’s a different line from the parks office number on this page, and I haven’t called it to confirm.

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