Wy-Hit-Tuk Park Closed

April 9, 2020

Wy-Hit-Tuk Park, located south of Easton, has closed as are all other Northampton County Parks.   The Canal towpath cannot be accessed from this site.

PA/NJ Loop Trail System Closed

April 7, 2020

The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park in New Jersey will close as of 8 p.m. today, April 7.

The consequence of this action is that the PA/NJ Loop Trail system will not be usable. Park visitors will not be able to cross between the Delaware Canal towpath in PA and the D&R Canal towpath in NJ at the following locations:

• Uhlerstown, PA – Frenchtown, NJ
• Lumberville, PA – Bulls Island, NJ
• Centre Bridge, PA – Stockton, NJ
• New Hope, PA – Lambertville, NJ
• Washington Crossing, PA – Washington Crossing, NJ
• Morrisville, PA – Trenton, NJ

The Delaware Canal State Park towpath in PA remains open for passive bicycling and walking.  Currently the towpath is very crowded, so maintaining a distance of at least six feet apart is vital. If the Park is too busy, consider returning at another time  or exploring your backyard or neighborhood.

Please help keep the Delaware Canal State Park safe and clean by following these practices:

• Do not hike or recreate in groups – go with those under the same roof and stay six feet apart.
• Use the bathroom before you visit.
• Bring a bag and carry out your trash.
• Clean up after pets.
• Avoid activities that put you at greater risk of injury, as there is limited staff to assist.

Meanwhile, the Friends are working remotely.  Contact us at friends@fodc.org or call 215-862-2021, though the phone response may take a bit longer.

Enjoy spring and be safe, please. 

Parks Closed Until April 30; Parking Lots and Trails Accessible

March 23, 2020

DCNR Extending Closure of State Park and Forest Facilities Statewide, Open Spaces will Remain Accessible as Part of COVID-19 Mitigation Efforts

 Harrisburg, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced that all facilities at state parks and forests in Pennsylvania will be closed until April 30 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking.

Dunn noted this includes campgrounds, cabins and all overnight accommodations. Anyone with reservations in this time period will be contacted, and full refunds will be made.

“During the past week we’ve seen many people hiking trails and heading to the outdoors as a way to get exercise and relieve stress,” Dunn said. “We remind everyone that it’s OK to go outside, but we should still be practicing social distancing to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“This means we should spread out for outdoor activities – if you visit a public place and the parking lot or trailhead is crowded, try another spot, or head back to your neighborhood to take a walk if that’s possible,” Dunn said.

Closed DCNR facilities include:

• Park and forest offices and visitor centers
• Restrooms
• Campgrounds, cabins and all forms of overnight accommodations
• All reservable facilities
• Public programs, events, and trainings are canceled through April 30

The best advice to slow the spread of the coronavirus is to stay home. If you are looking to be outdoors, stay as close to home as possible including your backyard, neighborhood, or local park or trail unless they are crowded (check first to make sure they are open, as some local parks are closed).

Visitors can help keep state parks and forest lands safe and clean by following these practices:

• Avoid crowded parking lots and trailheads
• Use the bathroom before you visit
• Bring a bag and carry out your trash
• Clean up after pets
• Avoid activities that put you at greater risk of injury, as there is limited staff to assist

To help avoid exposure to COVID-19 and still enjoy the outdoors:

• Don’t hike or recreate in groups – go with those under the same roof, and adhere to social distancing (stay 6 feet apart)

• Take hand sanitizer with you and use it regularly
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow
• If you are sick, stay home

Pennsylvania has 121 state parks, and 20 forest districts.

Information about state parks and forests is available on the DCNR website. Updates also are being provided on DCNR’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Parks Closed Until March 31; Towpath and Parking Lots Accessible

March 17, 2020

Pennsylvania State Parks Facilities will be closed for 14 days effective Tuesday, March 17 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. As part of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, all buildings at the parks, including park offices and restrooms, will be closed, and all events and public educational programs will be canceled. The public will still be able to access trails, lakes, rivers, forests, roads, and parking areas for passive and dispersed recreation, such as hiking. All overnight and day use rental facilities will be closed. While these park facilities are closed, state park rangers and park managers will continue to work to ensure security and that public safety is protected.

 

Delaware Canal State Park Closed Between March 15 and March 29

March 14, 2020

From the Delaware Canal State Park Manager:

Delaware Canal State Park will be closed for 14 days effective Sunday, March 15th to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. ( The towpath trail may be used.)    As part of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, all of the parking lots and buildings at the parks, including park offices and restrooms, will be closed, and all events and public educational programs will be canceled.  While this park is closed, state park rangers and park managers will continue to work to ensure security and that public safety is protected.  The towpath trail may be used during this time.

From the Friends of the Delaware Canal:

As part of the Park, the Locktender’s House in New Hope will also be closed.   We will be working remotely, so don’t hesitate to e-mail friends@fodc.org.  You may also call 215-862-2021, but a response could take a bit longer.    Both the Friends’ Lunch and Walk scheduled for March 28th and Canal Clean-Up Day scheduled for April 4th have been canceled.