LOVING LIFE AT Fort Dupont
A Special Place to Call Home
Overview
Fort DuPont is a unique mixed-use community. Initially it was a planned military landscape of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries due to its strategic location on the Delaware River. It was operated as a military base until 1947. After being decommissioned the property was sold to the State of Delaware in 1947. The property was then used for many purposes including the operation of the Governor Bacon Health Center, the Fort DuPont State Park and the 153rd Military Police Company, which is a unit of the Delaware Army National Guard.
The State ultimately determined that the Complex had much more potential as a sustainable, mixed-use community that could produce revenue, jobs, housing choices, and recreational amenities while also preserving its historic character and the surrounding environment.
To accomplish this transformation, the Fort DuPont Redevelopment and Preservation Corporation, (“FDRPC”) was established in 2014 and created for the purposes set forth in Title 7, Chapter 47, Subsection II of the Delaware Code (the “FDRPC Act”). Ownership of Fort DuPont, including all buildings, infrastructure and 400+ acres was transferred to the FDRPC in 2016.
To ensure that the Complex is reused and redeveloped in a manner consistent with the intended goals of the Master Plan, FDRPC will retain ownership of the historic buildings, infrastructure and common elements. This is different from most HOAs and Condo Associations where ownership of common elements are eventually transferred to the Community Association. The Fort DuPont complex will continue to be developed and managed by the FDRPC, which includes maintenance, repair and upkeep of all common areas in the complex including, but not limited to, streets, sidewalks, lawn, landscaping, certain trails and pathways and infrastructure. The FDRPC shall also have the continuing duty, obligation and power to maintain and operate all Subdivision Amenities and Common Areas and to develop, administer and enforce the covenants and restrictions contained in the Declaration.
For more information on the history of Fort DuPont click here.
GOVERNING DOCUMENTS
Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Agreements, Restrictions and Licenses dated 07/08/2020
Fort DuPont Design and Historical Preservation Committee Rules and Procedures
Guidelines and Standards
Request Form
COMMUNITY NEWS
Parking
Just a friendly reminder that overnight parking on streets is not permitted in residential areas. It’s important for emergency vehicles to have clear, easy access in the event of an emergency. Please keep streets clear of motorized vehicles, watercraft, trailers, carts and other obstacles that could potentially impede access. Overnight parking on Wingate is permitted in designated areas for residents living in the duplexes on Officers Row.
Please note there is no overnight boat or RV parking permitted in the Boat Ramp parking lot. This is enforced by Delaware City Police.
Events
Events and other important dates can be found on the Fort DuPont website calendar.

Trash/Recycling
Delaware City Ordinance requires trash and recycle bins to be placed curbside no more than 15 hours before or after scheduled pickups.
Additionally, the Fort DuPont Declaration requires that trash receptacles are to be kept in the garage when they are not curbside for pickup per the Declaration.
Special Pickups can be arranged by contacting Green For Life, formerly Waste Industries, at 302-378-5400. Examples are mattresses, furniture, carpet, appliances and bulky items that don’t fit in trash bins.
Storage Units and Trash Receptacles
At the May 20, 2020 meeting of the Design and Historical Preservation Committee, the subject of storage sheds and trash receptacles was discussed. Section 5.1(G) of the Declaration states that no “out buildings” are permitted. Further, Schedule 3 of the Declaration states that trash receptacles are to be kept in garages. Recognizing the hardship this creates for some property owners, especially those living in town homes with limited storage space, the DHPC agreed to the following:
Property owners are permitted the use of 1 outside Storage Unit, which shall:
- Be no greater than 72” in width, 48” in depth and 52” in height;
- Be constructed of either durable resin or wood;
- Match as best as possible the color of the siding or brick on the wall where the Storage Unit is being placed, and
- Be screened on both sides through the use of fencing as depicted in the diagrams below and appropriately landscaped.
Storage Units are intended for the storage of the trash receptacles. Should a property owner elect to use the Storage Units for items other than trash receptacles, then the trash receptacles are required to be stored inside the garage.
Property owners are required to submit details on the storage unit, (i.e. dimensions, color, material and images) for approval prior to installation. All approvals shall be given in writing only, and property owners may not rely on any oral approval or conversation.



Flagpoles
At the May 20, 2020 meeting of the Design and Historical Preservation Committee, the subject of flagpoles was discussed. It was agreed that property owners are entitled to erect flag poles with the following conditions:
- The flagpole does not exceed 25’ in height or 4” in diameter;
- Is constructed out of aluminum;
- If painted, the flagpole must be repainted as needed;
- Lighting, if installed, is to be upcast lighting directed at the top of the flagpole and shielded from casting light toward adjacent buildings; and
- Only American, State and Military flags can be displayed.
Property owners are required to submit details on the flagpole for approval prior to installation. All
approvals shall be given in writing only, and property owners may not rely on any oral approval or conversation.
Trails and Batteries
We encourage everyone to enjoy and explore the natural surroundings of the Fort safely and respectfully. Fort DuPont has many interesting buildings, batteries and bunkers, which naturally generate questions and raise curiosity. For safety reasons many of these buildings and spaces are not open to the public and we ask your cooperation by respecting signs and barriers intended to keep residents and visitors safe. Our goal is to restore as many of our historic buildings and spaces as possible, a daunting task to be sure, but we are dedicated to that end and ask your cooperation in protecting these important structures.
The park area is closed from dusk to dawn.
Motorized vehicles of any kind are not permitted on the trails in the park area or grassy areas unless specifically permitted for events. The exception is FDRPC, DNREC, Fish & Wildlife and emergency vehicles.
Keeping in Touch
It is important for our office to maintain accurate, up-to-date resident contact information for communication and emergency purposes. Please send an email to Terry Buchanan ([email protected]) with the following: Street address, PO Box #, contact phone numbers, names of household members.
WHO TO CONTACT
For Information on our community, contact:
Terry Buchanan, Communications Director
302.838.7374
Also, see our Contact Directory.