June 23rd, 2009
If you’ve ever wished that you could have seen the Canal in the days when mules still pulled coal-filled boats along the waterway, your opportunity has returned. By popular demand, the two vintage 1930’s Delaware Canal films that were presented at the Friends of the Delaware Canal’s September 2008 meeting are going to be shown again.
As he promised, Lance Metz, historian at the National Canal Museum, preserved the movies by converting the old and very delicate 16 mm film to digital media. The enlightening and entertaining films are now ready to show again.
DATE: Sunday, June 28
TIME: 4 p.m.
PLACE: Phillips’ Mill, 2619 River Road, New Hope. The parking lot is accessed by turning off River Road just north of the Mill.
Since the September show was so popular, reservations are required for this program. A donation of $5 per person is requested. Half of the proceeds will be donated to the National Canal Museum Archives to help defray the cost of the film conversion.
To make your reservations, please contact friends@fodc.org.
For more info about the films and presentation, click here.
Posted in Events, Friends of the Delaware Canal
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June 22nd, 2009
Despite the previous week’s rainy weather, over 30 people attended the Landmark Towns of Bucks County and Friends of the Delaware Canal Town to Towpath Bike Hike on Saturday, June 6th. DCNR Park Ranger Ian Kindle kicked things off with an informative lesson for participants in proper trail etiquette and safety techniques.
Bikers were led by a volunteer guide, courtesy of Firehouse Cycles, beginning in Yardley’s Buttonwood Park, through the historic Borough of Yardley, along the Delaware Canal towpath to Washington Crossing State Park.
Several area businesses participated in the Bike Hike by providing refreshments, complimentary massages for participants and coupons for lunch and dinner.
Posted in Events, Friends of the Delaware Canal, In the News, Landmark Towns
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June 18th, 2009
The trail gods were looking out for the D&L last Friday, as a large group of volunteers, community members, politicians, and press gathered at the Weissport trailhead to dedicate the newest link in the 165-mile D&L Trail. The weatherman predicted a day of thunderstorms but bright blue skies greeted the crowd of fifty people. Begun in August 2008 and completed this month, the project transformed the heavily-used but somewhat neglected trailhead into a welcoming facility with hand-laid stone canal banks, native trees and grasses, a heavy-timber pavilion, and abundant parking spaces, all leading to 2.7 miles of regraded and resurfaced trail.
After a host of speakers thanked partners and congratulated the D&L on the project’s completion, Representative Keith McCall, current Speaker of the House and long-time friend of the D&L, provided the keynote address. McCall reminded the crowd that the Corridor’s many small, post-industrial towns are “gems” just waiting to be reshined as meccas of outdoor recreation, heritage tourism, and increasingly rare small town life. He also provided a sobering warning that construction is always the easy part. The more daunting and long-term task is a persistent commitment to maintenance. Luckily, Weissport has the Lehigh Canal and Recreation Commission (LCRC), the D&L Trail Tenders, and a growing contingent of volunteers that are willing to accept the challenge.
During the dedication, two long-time advocates of the Weissport canal were also honored. A flowering dogwood and granite plaque were dedicated in memory of Wilbur “Cap” Bauchspies, a former Lehighton mayor, councilman, and long-time LCRC volunteer. The new pavilion was named for the late Dr. William Feldbaumer, a generous financial backer of the LCRC for many years. Family and friends of both men were on hand to celebrate the fruition of their visions.
After the official ribbon cutting, walking and biking tours explored the new section of trail. Pocono Whitewater graciously donated a truck load of bikes for the afternoon. Everyone was impressed with the new trail surface and the unparalleled scenery of the upper section. One can only look forward to the day that the Weissport section is connected to downtown Jim Thorpe.
The list of funding agencies and volunteers that made the Weissport trail project and dedication possible is too long to mention here. Suffice it to say that partnerships between state and local agencies, municipalities, community members, and volunteers are the only reason such an accomplishment is possible.
Posted in Construction Updates, Events, In the News
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June 18th, 2009
Photographers take note! You have been invited to participate in a photo contest. The winning photographs will be displayed at our annual dinner in November and will be included in our first Reflections of the D&L calendar. The calendars will be distributed to individuals and to public libraries. The grand prize winner will receive two invitations to our annual dinner, will have their work showcased on our website, and will be used as the front cover and a page in the calendar.
Your photo should fall into one of four categories:
- For the Fun of It - Photographs that reflect people engaging with their heritage area.
- Canal Culture - What makes your canal town unique?
- Historic Architecture and Engineering Marvels - Images that reflect the Corridor’s engineering, canal structures, industrial innovation, or distinctive architecture.
- The Nature of Transportation - The landscapes, wildlife, and plants along the Corridor’s canals, railroads, and trails.
To enter, please mail a packet including a print of each photo, a CD containing the photo(s), and a completed entry form to:
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
Attn: Rayne Schnabel
2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd.
Easton, PA 18042
For complete contest rules, click here. For an official entry form, click here. For a model release form, click here.
Posted in In the News
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June 15th, 2009
Lehigh Carbon Community College’s radio station (WXLV), with funding from a D&L challenge grant, produced a series of short, 5-8 minute vignettes about sites throughout the Corridor, including the Switchback Railroad, No.9 Coal Mine, and some of our other projects. Since their original airing, numerous listeners have requested copies of the programs. We are pleased to announce that they are now available online for download on WXLV’s podcast page.
Thanks to LCCC for making the programs available to the public!
Posted in FYI
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June 14th, 2009
The newest edition of the Delaware River Water Trail Guide (June 2009) just arrived in our office. This large, fold-out map shows all 200 miles of the water trail, from Hancock, NY to Falls at Trenton, NJ. Paddlers, anglers, and river users of all types will find the guide helpful in planning their next Delaware River excursion. Cultural and historical side trips are highlighted for each section of river. Leave-No-Trace principles and water hazards are also outlined.Whether you’re new to the water trail or a long time friend, this guide will come in handy. Best of all, it’s free!
Pick up the map from the D&L offices at 2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd., Easton, PA 18042. Or, download a copy from the Delaware River Greenway Partnership’s website.
Posted in FYI
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June 6th, 2009
I can’t believe I forgot to post photos from our National Trails Day celebration on Sand Island! We had visitors from the City of Bethlehem, National Park Service, DCNR, local outdoor groups, and Trail Tenders. Smokey the Bear even made an appearance, posing for pictures and spreading the word about preventing forest fires.
Participants learned about Trail Tender efforts to create a native plant model site, as they walked along the trail. Some participated in a round-trip kayak and bike trip between Allentown and Bethlehem, sponsored by the Wildlands Conservancy. Two new interpretive signs were also unveiled during the event. Authored and designed by the D&L’s own Dennis Scholl, the signs explain the historical and environmental significance of Sand Island.
Further east on the towpath, near Charlie Brown’s Clearing, a tree and plaque were dedicated in loving memory of Derry Bernath. Members of Derry’s family were on hand for the ceremony.
If you broke a sweat walking or biking that day, imagine doing it while wearing a fur coat. A special thanks to Shannan McAward for braving the heat to play Smokey.
Posted in FYI
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June 3rd, 2009
The recently published Eastern Pennsylvania Birding & Wildlife Guide is now available for free! This colorful book provides all the information you need to seek out, identify, and enjoy eastern Pennsylvania’s unique fauna. The result of a unique partnership between the Schuylkill River Heritage Area, the Lehigh Gap Nature Center, the D&L, and others, the guide highlights not only unique birding sites but also the wide range of recreational opportunities available at nearly 90 public facilities across two heritage areas. Although birders will love the countless photos, hikers, bikers, and walkers will also find this guide an essential source for locating fresh ground for exploration.
The book is available free for pickup at the D&L offices (2750 Hugh Moore Park Rd. in Easton) or the following locations:
- Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve
- Lehigh Gap Nature Center
- Acopian Center for Ornithology, Muhlenberg College
- Nescopeck State Park Hauser Nature Center
- Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center
- Beltzville State Park
- Wildlands Conservancy
If you would like to receive the book by mail, please send a $10 check (payable to Lehigh Gap Nature Center) to:
Dan Kunkle
Lehigh Gap Nature Center
P.O. Box 198
Slatington, PA 18080
610-760-8889
If you have any questions, please call the D&L at 610-923-3548.
Enjoy the book, and happy birding!
Posted in FYI, In the News
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June 3rd, 2009
Our friends up north were recently featured in the Hazleton Standard Speaker:
“Jim Schneider dismounted after bicycling more than two miles along the Hazleton rail trail earlier this month to explore a power line right-of-way. About 125 feet ahead, he saw a bear looking into the woods…”
Read the rest of the article here.
Posted in In the News
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June 1st, 2009
D&L Outreach Coordinator Dennis Scholl has worked with the Trail Tenders for two years to turn a stretch of river bank on Sand Island into a model native plant “garden.” Read more and see pictures in today’s Morning Call.
Posted in In the News, Trail Tenders
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