On the Riverfront

THE CITY

MAYOR SILLS STATUE DEDICATED

Mayor Purzycki joined the dedication ceremony honoring former Mayor James H. Sills Jr., the first African American elected Mayor of Wilmington who served from 1993 until 2001. Former Mayor Sills was joined by friends, family members, elected official, and other well-wishers in Brandywine Park on Saturday, April 30, where a new statue of his likeness was unveiled at the foot of the bridge that also bears his name.

KALMAR NYCKEL CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Mayor Purzycki helps celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Delaware’s tall ship, the Kalmar Nyckel in April. “It was magical,” said the Mayor, recalling watching the ship launch in 1997 as head of the Riverfront Development Corp. The Mayor also proclaimed April 22 as Kalmar Nyckel Tall Ship of Delaware Day in Wilmington. Photos: Jan Ross/Kalmar Nyckel Foundation In 1637, an expedition of the New Sweden Co. led by Peter Minuit and consisting of two ships, including the Kalmar Nyckel, left Gothenburg, Sweden, to establish a colony in the Delaware River Valley. It anchored in March 1638 off “The Rocks” on the Christina River, and, when spring arrived, the colonists built Fort Christina — the first settlement of New Sweden. Three hundred and eighty-five years later the replica Kalmar Nyckel, first launched in Wilmington on September 28, 1997, is the official Tall Ship of Delaware and an ambassador for the City of Wilmington while serving as a floating classroom and inspirational platform offering educational programs that reach more than 30,000 people each year.

HOLOCAUST REMEMBERED

Mayor Purzycki addresses the crowd gathered in Freedom Plaza to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 28.

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK 2022

Public Works Education Day at the Louis L. Redding City/County Building.

Commissioner Kelly Williams with members of the City’s Public Works team kick off the Public Works Week 2022 at the Louis L. Redding City/County Building in Downtown Wilmington.

MAYOR FOR A DAY

Bayard Elementary student Cordai Turner was Mayor for a day as part of Youth in City Government Day, May 5, 2022.

Some 200 people participated this year, including students from six City schools. The annual program, which introduces young people to how City government works, is sponsored by the Dept. of Parks and Recreation.