Fenwick Island State Park

Fenwick Island State Park
Delaware State Park
Looking south at Fenwick Island State Park beach
Named for: Thomas Fenwick
Country	United States
State	Delaware
County	Sussex
Location
- coordinates	38°28′45″N 75°03′45″W / 38.47917°N 75.06250°W / 38.47917; -75.06250Coordinates: 38°28′45″N 75°03′45″W / 38.47917°N 75.06250°W / 38.47917; -75.06250
- elevation	0 ft (0.0 m)
Area	344 acres (139 ha)
Founded	1966
Managed by	Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
Location of Fenwick Island State Park in Delaware
Website : Fenwick Island State Park

Fenwick Island State Park is a 344-acre (139 ha) Delaware state park between Ocean City, Maryland and South Bethany, Delaware in Sussex County, Delaware, US. Originally part of Delaware Seashore State Park, it was established in 1966 and renamed in 1981. The park is located on Fenwick Island, a narrow strip of land between the Atlantic Ocean and Little Assawoman Bay. It is largely undeveloped in comparison to the beach communities that surround it. Fenwick Island State Park is open for year-round recreation from 8:00 am until sunset.

Fenwick Island is named for Thomas Fenwick a planter to migrated to the Thirteen Colonies from York, England. He was granted rights to the land by Lord Baltimore, the second Proprietary Governor of the Province of Maryland, in 1682. Fenwick never actually lived on Fenwick Island, but he did rise to a position of importance in Sussex County government. He served as a Justice of the Peace, Sheriff and register of wills until his death in 1708. Some legends contend that Fenwick swam ashore at Fenwick Island after being thrown overboard by pirates. Most historians do not believe that this happened. It is, however, likely that Fenwick's future son-in-law did swim ashore. William Fassett swam ashore after being cast off by a group of pirates. He would go on to marry Fenwick's daughter, Mary and claim the land of Fenwick Island for himself.