Sussex County buys 165 acres of farmland, forest near Dagsboro

October 1, 2024 1

GEORGETOWN – Sussex County officials announced the $2.65 million purchase of the 165-acre ‘Layfield property’ located off Del. Route 20, just northwest of Dagsboro on Tuesday. The property was purchased from Riverview Associates III LLC, who reduced the price by over half a million dollars.

The purchase is the latest in a series of County acquisitions in recent years aimed at preserving the landscape to ensure Sussex maintains its rural character amid development pressure.

“This is a meaningful investment in Sussex County’s future by protecting a piece of its natural and agricultural past,” County Councilman Doug Hudson, whose district includes the parcel, said. “Constituents repeatedly tell us how much they want to see green and open spaces protected. This purchase certainly helps to satisfy that public priority now, but more importantly, it will ensure we leave something for our children and grandchildren.”

County officials said there are no long-term plans as of yet for the parcel, though the County will work with the Sussex County Land Trust, which will manage the property, to develop a future master plan. In the interim, the property – most of it currently in agricultural production – will remain farmland, though some wooded areas may be augmented in the years ahead with a partial reforestation effort, County Administrator Todd F. Lawson said.

Funding for the acquisition comes through the County’s portion of realty transfer tax revenue.