Community Profile

Summary

The Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway is a local treasure. The Byway is comprised of 28 secondary roads within the Red Clay Creek watershed and is the first in the U.S. to be based on the watershed model. This unique model strengthens the communities’ ability to protect the water quality of Red Clay Creek by preserving the land in the watershed. The valley includes spectacular natural areas including Red Clay Ravine, Red Clay Creek, Burrows Run, and Coverdale Woods. These natural areas sustain an abundance of plants and animals and contain some of the richest old growth forest in the Red Clay Creek watershed. The Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway and Wildlife Habitat Community preserves and protects the unique historic, scenic, and natural qualities of the Red Clay watershed, which includes Hockessin, Mt. Cuba Center, Coverdale Farm Preserve, Auburn Heights, Wilmington & Western RR and many homes and businesses. Along the Byway you can explore the forest of the Red Clay Ravine Natural Area, and hike through woodlands, meadows, and marsh at the Delaware Nature Society’s Ashland Nature Center. Learn more about native plants at Mt. Cuba Center and visit Auburn Heights Preserve to see the largest collection of operating steam cars in the world. Steam train enthusiasts can ride on the Historic Red Clay, Inc (Wilmington and Western) railway from Greenbank to Hockessin.