Fork Branch Nature Preserve & East Dover Hundred in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Anne McClements Woods
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2025
1. The Anne McClements Woods Marker
Inscription.
The Anne McClements Woods. .
Preservation Amidst Development. The Anne McClements Woods Tract of the Fork Branch Nature Preserve is the largest forest stand within Dover city limits, containing 259.32 acres. The preserve is home to more than 200 acres of mature forest with many trees older than 140 years. Forested wetlands abound in this Nature Preserve and account for approximately 98 acres, or 43% of the land in the Nature Preserve., Half of the property was owned by Dr. James McClements and his late wife Anne, for whom the area is named. The other half was in a trust for their children and grandchildren. The land was scheduled for development, yet in 2003, Dr. McClements agreed to donate the property to the state of Delaware in Anne's memory. Funding came from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Open Space Program., Besides being responsible for much of the development of land along Kenton Road, Dr. McClements is also credited for delivering 7,500 infants during his 35-year obstetrical career in Dover. According to a family member, "There's a whole generation who was either delivered by Dr. McClements or knew someone who was." By saving this property from development, environmentally important forest and wetlands, stands of nature beech trees and other native species have been preserved for this and future generations., "Things Have A Way Of Working Out"
"My family and I have explored these woods for almost 40 years and it is truly a beautiful area. There are majestic groves of beeches, impenetrable upland wet pockets and steep banks leading down to the floodplain of Maidstone Branch, all covered with many unusual species of plants. The floodplain has beavers and aquatic birds and plants, and the upland woods are home to many other birds and a large deer population. We are happy that it will be preserved in its natural state." Dr. James McClements
Preservation Amidst Development
The Anne McClements Woods Tract of the Fork Branch Nature Preserve is the largest forest stand within Dover city limits, containing 259.32 acres. The preserve is home to more than 200 acres of mature forest with many trees older than 140 years. Forested wetlands abound in this Nature Preserve and account for approximately 98 acres, or 43% of the land in the Nature Preserve.
Half of the property was owned by Dr. James McClements and his late wife Anne, for whom the area is named. The other half was in a trust for their children and grandchildren. The land was scheduled for development, yet in 2003, Dr. McClements agreed to donate the property to the state of Delaware in Anne's memory. Funding came from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Open Space Program.
Besides being responsible for much of the development of land along Kenton Road, Dr. McClements is also credited for delivering 7,500 infants during his 35-year obstetrical career in Dover. According to a family member, "There's a whole generation who was either delivered by Dr. McClements or knew someone who was." By saving this property from development, environmentally important forest and wetlands, stands of nature beech trees and other native species have been preserved for
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this and future generations.
"Things Have A Way Of Working Out"
"My family and I have explored these woods for almost 40 years and it is truly a beautiful area. There are majestic groves of beeches, impenetrable upland wet pockets and steep banks leading down to the floodplain of Maidstone Branch, all covered with many unusual species of plants. The floodplain has beavers and aquatic birds and plants, and the upland woods are home to many other birds and a large deer population. We are happy that it will be preserved in its natural state." Dr. James McClements
Erected by Delaware States Parks; Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environtmental Control.
Location. 39° 10.676′ N, 75° 34.898′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. It is in Fork Branch Nature Preserve & East Dover Hundred. It can be reached from Kenton Road (County Road 104) north of Baltray Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2373 Kenton Rd, Dover DE 19904, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic and on the Delmarva Peninsula. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers.
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 24, 2025
Credits. This page was last revised on May 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
