The Woodland Walk

The Woodland Walk was designed by Marian Coffin as a shaded, naturalistic contrast to Gibraltar’s formal gardens. After decades of limited maintenance, the area became heavily overgrown with English ivy, in places forming mats more than a foot thick and climbing high into the trees. Over time, many trees were lost, with heavy ivy growth contributing to their decline. As a result, an area that should have a substantial tree canopy is now surprisingly open and sunny.

Restoration began in 2024 with extensive ivy removal, reopening the historic path, protecting remaining trees, and reintroducing native vegetation. Grants from the Hardy Plant Society and Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry program have supported hundreds of native perennials and new native trees.

The current planting takes advantage of the temporary sunlight with a meadow-like mix of native plants. At the same time, numerous trees are being added to rebuild the canopy. As those trees mature, the landscape will change through natural succession: sun-loving plants will gradually diminish and a shadier woodland understory will take their place. This approach allows the Woodland Walk to provide valuable habitat now while moving toward Coffin’s original vision of a shaded woodland passage.

Photo: A turf path that is no longer viable is shown, and the ever-present Spanish bluebells glow. To the right, the current stone wall is visible, and to the left the line of Bald Cypress trees.  

The Woodland Walk was designed by Marian Coffin as a shaded, naturalistic contrast to Gibraltar’s formal gardens. After decades of limited maintenance, the area became heavily overgrown with English ivy, in places forming mats more than a foot thick and climbing high into the trees. Over time, many trees were lost, with heavy ivy growth contributing to their decline. As a result, an area that should have a substantial tree canopy is now surprisingly open and sunny.

Restoration began in 2024 with extensive ivy removal, reopening the historic path, protecting remaining trees, and reintroducing native vegetation. Grants from the Hardy Plant Society and Delaware’s Urban and Community Forestry program have supported hundreds of native perennials and new native trees.

The current planting takes advantage of the temporary sunlight with a meadow-like mix of native plants. At the same time, numerous trees are being added to rebuild the canopy. As those trees mature, the landscape will change through natural succession: sun-loving plants will gradually diminish and a shadier woodland understory will take their place. This approach allows the Woodland Walk to provide valuable habitat now while moving toward Coffin’s original vision of a shaded woodland passage.

Photo: A turf path that is no longer viable is shown, and the ever-present Spanish bluebells glow. To the right, the current stone wall is visible, and to the left the line of Bald Cypress trees.