Friends of the Delaware Canal Names New Executive DirectorMichael D. Ginder, new executive director of Friends of the Delaware Canal, stands along the canal in front of the Friends’ headquarters in New Hope, PA. PHOTO CREDIT: Jim Horton Photography
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.
FRYS RUN AQUEDUCT TO MUELLERS GENERAL STORE (MILE 52.1 TO MILE 51.3 ): ON TUESDAY 6/8 The towpath will be CLOSED between Frys Run Aqueduct and Mueller’s General Store due to a required canal repair. Trail users should turn around at the closure and NOT attempt to get by it, as heavy equipment will be blocking the towpath during the repair. Repair is anticipated to be completed within one day.
The 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.
Last 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.
On 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.
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.
The berm bank is restored at the site of the subcanal culvert collapse.
owpath Closure Tomorrow. 
, 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.
