Friends of the Delaware Canal
145 South Main Street
New Hope, PA 18938
Phone: 215.862.2021
Michael Ginder, Executive Director

New Hope, PA, July 26, 2021 – The Friends of the Delaware Canal (FODC) today announced that Michael D. Ginder has been appointed executive director of the organization. Susan Taylor has retired after 30 years in that role.
Brett Webber, president of the FODC, said, “The Friends of the Delaware Canal is excited about Michael’s appointment. We look forward to working with him and building on Susan’s many accomplishments.”
“The Canal is such a vital part of our region’s history, and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to join the Friends as the next executive director,” said Ginder. “It will be exciting to work with the passionate individuals who are stewards of the canal, expanding our membership base, and encouraging area residents and visitors to spend time along the Canal.”
Ginder, a New Hope resident, was previously director of Business and Employment Services for the Arc Mercer. He has also served as executive director of the Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in Medford, NJ, where he was responsible for the strategic planning, financial well-being and fundraising for the organization.
FODC works in partnership with the State of Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Bureau of State Parks and Delaware Canal State Park to undertake restoration projects that rescue significant Canal structures. FODC has restored five of the six historically authentic camelback bridges and is collaborating with the state to ensure an accurate restoration of Spahr’s Bridge in Upper Black Eddy, where work has already begun.
In 2022, FODC will mark the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1982 with plans underway to celebrate in communities along the entire length of the Canal. The Canal, which runs nearly 60 miles from Easton to Bristol, PA, is watched over by volunteer FODC canal tenders who inspect the towpaths, pick up trash, clear branches and report problems throughout the year.
The FODC mission is to sustain a unique link to the country’s national heritage, protect beautiful and diverse natural areas, provide recreational and educational opportunities and enable the Canal to serve as a community and economic asset.
MEDIA: You may download the entire press release and photo here.
Towpath Closure on June 8The level of the Canal has been dropped from Easton to Erwinna because a very large hole developed in the Canal in Raubsville. The repair of the hole with flowable fill is scheduled for the week of June 7.
Rewatering ProgressLast week the Delaware Canal State Park staff opened the bypass gate at Easton to create a maintenance level of water in the northern end of the Canal. There is currently water as far south as Lodi Hill Road at the Tinicum Township/Upper Black Eddy line. Tomorrow the Park staff plans to allow the water to start flowing southward to the waste gate at the Golden Pheasant Inn. The water will be released at this location until the Tinicum Aqueduct lining is repaired and several sinkholes are filled.
Stairs at Centre Bridge-Stockton Bridge To Close May 3On Monday, May 3, the staircase connecting the Centre Bridge-Stockton Bridge’s pedestrian walkway and Pennsylvania’s Delaware Canal towpath will be closed for 24 hours, starting 7 a.m. The closure will allow for epoxy coating work at the base of the staircase. Raindate: Tuesday, May 4.
Repairs to the canal prism are in the final stage just north of Woody’s Camelback Bridge just north of Mile Marker 54 in Raubsville. The towpath will be closed while work is underway.
Culvert Repair Work at Raubsville is Complete
The subcanal culvert located just north of Locks 22/23 in Raubsville has been repaired and the canal prism and towpath restored.
The towpath north of the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area will reopen this week because the repair of the subcanal culvert just north of the locks is finished.
Friends of the Delaware Canal
145 South Main Street
New Hope, PA 18938
Phone: 215.862.2021
Michael Ginder, Executive Director
Helping on Canal Clean-up Day is just one way you can get involved and help to restore, preserve and improve the Delaware Canal. Big or small, the perfect job for you awaits – all you need to do is get involved! FIND OUT MORE