Tinicum Aqueduct – Friends of the Delaware Canal

Canal News – Fall 2020

Construction Countdown Done

Rewatering Underway

By the time you receive this newsletter, the repairs to the Tinicum Aqueduct, its walls and banks will be complete. The project, which was anticipated to be finished in July extended into October because of supply delays. The delivery of the pressure-treated, custom lumber for the pedestrian walkway was two months late because of a COVID shutdown at the processing plant, and the lining material for the aqueduct trough was held up at the Canadian border. And those were just the big issues.

The project, necessitated by a major berm bank blowout, evolved into a multi-faceted undertaking to address the aqueduct’s other problems.

• A new concrete wall was constructed to stabilize the berm bank and halt creek-caused erosion.
• The aqueduct pier was repaired and faced with timber to protect the pier and return it to an earlier appearance.
• The mortar joints in the stone abutments were cleaned and redone to halt the extensive leakage.
• The aqueduct, which is a steel trough constructed in the 1950’s, was repaired, repainted, and lined with a rubber epoxy coating to seal the seams between the bottom plating.
• The pedestrian walkway that crosses the aqueduct was entirely replaced.
• The last task was to restore the canal prism and line it with clay.

New walkway on the Tinicum Aqueduct — The new walkway on the Tinicum Aqueduct gets some use.

Up until the completion of the aqueduct project, the canal water supplied by the Lehigh River could only flow to the wastegate located by the Golden Pheasant Inn. Now that the construction is no longer an obstruction, the State Park will endeavor to get the water as far south as possible.

The staff and an outside contractor have been filling sinkholes with flowable fill, removing silt bars that act as partial dams, repairing walls, and removing the many fallen trees as time allows. All with the goal of allowing the Canal to retain and convey as much water as possible.

Rewatering the Canal is a complicated task requiring an understanding of past and present conditions, skill, timing, and more than a little bit of luck.

So, here’s to the water. Far may it flow!

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Always on the Look Out

Hazzard's Bridge — Pete took Josh’s photo while they were both at work on Hazzard’s Bridge

“Hmm, this board isn’t in good shape,” observed Board and Canal Action Team member, Pete Rosswaag, while he was out on one of his bicycle rides near his home in Upper Black Eddy. Right he was.

One of the cap boards on the historic Hazzard’s Camelback Bridge was in need of replacement. Pete and fellow CAT member Josh Gradwohl went into action. They measured, the Friends purchased a new cypress board, Josh picked it up and painted it, and then he and Pete put it in place.

Pete plans to return to do some touch up painting on the rest of the bridge. The Friends’ do watch over the Canal’s Camelbacks.

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Park Manager’s Report

by Devin Buzard

When examining the Delaware Canal through the lens of a National Historic Landmark and contemplating what it truly means to withstand the passage of more than 188 years, it forces time into a new perspective. While I am far from a historian, I have gleaned in the past year that perseverance along with a faith in achieving a better future have shaped the Canal and the surrounding landscape into what we see today.

Mowing the canal path as bikers pass by. — Our work along the Canal continues while many more people use the towpath
this year.

Over the years, nature has battered both the Canal and those who live alongside it, but the perseverance to rebuild and honor the past does not change. As a testament to this statement and despite a year filled with uncertainties, we have seen and will see the completion of three large-scale Canal projects and many other smaller ones that are just as significant.

Two notable projects—both located in Williams Township, Northampton County—were finished in the month of July. Their completion marked the opening of the feeder gate in Easton, and the introduction of Lehigh River water to a 22-mile section of the northern stretch of the Canal.

These two projects were the rebuilding of Fry’s Run Aqueduct and a massive drop gate replacement at Lock 22/23 aka Groundhog Lock. In undertaking these two projects, there was much to learn regarding inspecting the clues of the past construction and applying that knowledge into the new plans, while, at the same time, considering how to provide for the best longevity.

A good example of this would be the simple design of the vertical wickets located on the Lock 22/23 drop gate. Upon observing the wickets of the old gate in operation, one could notice that the water flowing through the wickets typically was directed toward the stone walls of the lock. This ultimately resulted in unwanted scouring and erosion. A new design for the wickets was developed , which retains their historic locations, style and materials, while incorporating an unseen design element that prevents the wickets from turning too far and thus safely diverts the water to the center of the Canal.

As you read this article, it is my hope that the Tinicum Aqueduct repair project will be fully complete. Early in the week of September 28, towpath users could once again cross the aqueduct’s pedestrian bridge and enjoy an uninterrupted trip upon the towpath through Tinicum Township.

As with the two projects mentioned earlier, the completion of the Tinicum Aqueduct will allow for water to once again continue south, and it is the ultimate hope that the water will flow free as far south as nature will allow.

In anticipation of this, the Delaware Canal State Park maintenance staff has been endeavoring to repair known sinkholes and remove gravel bars at the intersections of streams that enter the Canal. These efforts reduce the loss of water and ultimately allow for better control over the f low rates and levels as the water makes its long journey from the Lehigh River in Easton. This flow is meant to continue to the inlet in New Hope near Lock 8, where it is augmented with water from the Delaware River. The combined flows then head south toward Bristol.

In addition to the work being done to provide water, the seasonal mowing has been ongoing. Please continue to be patient as our mowing schedule was greatly interrupted during both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

The mowing issues occurred because of a temporary loss of a critical piece of mowing equipment in 2019, and then once more in 2020 due to staffing restrictions at the onset of the COVID-19 mitigation efforts and equipment breakdowns. Please know that we are working hard to complete this work and return the Canal to a less wild state.

Looking into the future, I no longer see the uncertainty I felt just three short months ago. With the clarity of reviewing what we have accomplished in relation to the past, I can say with conviction that we are moving forward.
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Events that We’re Missing this October

THE 11TH ANNUAL FACES AND PLACES
A Celebration of the Arts and History along the Canal

Oh, the places that we have toured, the people we’ve met, and the celebrations we’ve had.
And will again!

Boarding a bumpy Bucks County Trolley for the first Faces and Places tour.

THE 33RD ANNUAL CANAL WALK

Hiking 58.9 miles along the Delaware Canal towpath
over the course of five successive Saturdays is a Friends’ tradition that has overcome
many obstacles—floods, construction projects, heat waves, and snow. It will return.

The 2009 Canal Walkers at Groundhog Lock.

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An Untraditional Calendar of Events

POP-UP SHORT WALKS

Locations, Dates, and Times are sent via Constant Contact and posted on fodc.org.

We began our series of “Green Phase” short walks on July 17. After doing six walks at different locations along the Canal, we have a good sense of what works in these unusual times.

To avoid crowds on the towpath and in parking areas, we’ve learned to schedule the walks on weekdays in the later hours of the afternoon. We now know how many reservations to take in advance to yield an acceptable number of participants on the day of the walk, and we know not to post the invitations too far in advance because of
constantly changing conditions. Walkers have been very cooperative about wearing masks and social distancing! Susan Taylor and her portable PA system are still working on being happy together.

Walk along towpath in Tinicum — Taking in Tinicum on September 23

We plan to continue the short walk series through autumn and as winter weather allows. In fact, we divided up the 58.9-milelong Canal into 23 different walk sections, so we have plenty of material. The walk lengths vary from 2.2 to 6.2 miles roundtrip, with most averaging 3 miles. As the seasons change, we anticipate that we can add weekend and morning walks to the schedule.

If you would like to take a walk with the Friends, watch for our Constant Contact e-mails and check out Events on the homepage of www.fodc.org. To date, we have not been posting the walks on our Facebook page because the existing demand has been higher than we can accommodate.

The walks fill very quickly, so don’t hesitate to make your reservations. If you don’t receive our Constant Contact messages, sign up please. It’s the fastest way to receive information.

Hope to walk with you soon!

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The Cares Act can help you help the Friends

We need your generosity more than ever this year. A significant part of our organization’s planned 2020 revenue has been lost because COVID restrictions and precautions have led to the cancellation of all of our fundraising events since March.

The Cares Act graphic The federal Cares Act may provide a way for you to increase your contribution to the Friends. The Act allows you to be more generous with funds that you might otherwise pay in taxes. If you use the standard deduction, as most taxpayers did in 2019, you may take a special charitable deduction of $300 per taxpayer ($600 for a married couple) on your 2020 return. If you itemize, you can give and deduct as much as your entire Adjusted Gross Income.

If you are thinking about making a major gift from your IRA someday, this might be the best year to be especially generous. Thanks to the enhanced benefit to those who itemize deductions, you can withdraw as much as you want from your IRA, donate as much as you want, and deduct the donation. Of course, you need to meet the usual rules for penalty-free IRA withdrawals.

Please do not take our word for it. Learn more by searching “2020 charitable contributions.” For large donations, we recommend consulting a tax advisor.

On November 13, 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote: “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

This year prove Ben wrong, just a bit, by letting your contribution to the Friends reduce your taxes.

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NICE SAVE!

On October 31, the long, narrow Delaware Canal State Park will gain some width in Washington Crossing. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will acquire all 118 acres of the David Library of the American Revolution property as well as the adjoining 25-acre Sol and Rose Woods. The spacious riverfront site, through which the Delaware
Canal runs, will remain open space with public accessibility for everyone to enjoy. John Hallas, Director of the Bureau of State Parks noted, “The site is a perfect location for a canal interpretive center as well as an administrative and maintenance center for the Delaware Canal State Park.”

There will surely be much more news about the acquisition, but, for now, here is a story from the property’s past when it was known as Buckstone Farm.

Ezra Stone in publicity photo on Buckstone Farm. The Library’s founder Sol Feinstone acquired Buckstone Farm in 1945. He and his family lived in the stone farmhouse that is the centerpiece of the property. Sol Feinstone’s son, Ezra Stone, already had become famous playing Henry Aldrich on the popular radio show, “The Aldrich Family.” In September of 1945, Stone was discharged from the Army, and he returned to the cast of the radio show. He stayed with it until the fall of 1949, when sponsors decided to make it a television show. Stone’s association with the show ended because he was almost 30 years-old—too old to be believable as the 14-year-old Henry Aldrich.

This photo was taken in the late 1940’s and was included in the archives of the David Library. Its story isn’t definitively known, but it is probable that Ezra Stone invited his cast mates to visit him at his father’s home. They turned it into a working weekend by taking publicity shots with holiday themes. In this shot, House Jameson (Mr. Aldrich), Ezra Stone (Henry Aldrich), and Jackie Kelk (Henry’s friend Homer) are out on the Buckstone Farm grounds hunting for the Thanksgiving turkey. The Canal, out of view, and the lawn leading to the Delaware River are in the background.

The Friends are thankful that the David Library property will be preserved and remain accessible to the public and so pleased to have even more stories to tell about what happened along the Delaware Canal.

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A 9-11 Bench Returns

Putting the replaced 9-11 Bench to use are Friends’ member Barbara Heisler,
representing the Martha Washington Garden Club; and Canal Action Team
members, Josh Gradwohl and Jerry Taylor, who installed the bench on a very
humid day.

One of the teak benches placed along the Delaware Canal in memory of the eighteen Bucks County residents who perished on September 11, 2001 has been replaced thanks to the care and generosity of the members of the Martha Washington Garden Club.

The bench honors William (Billy) Kelly, Jr., a Yardley Borough resident. Its placement along the towpath just north of Woodside Road is near his hometown and close to the landing for the Scudder Falls Bridge walkway, which is to open in 2021. Those who sit on the bench in the summertime can enjoy the native, bright red Cardinal Flowers blooming. This area is one of the few spots along the Canal where they grow in relative abundance.

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We’ll be Ready

“Do the PA/NJ Canal Loops” is a recreational opportunity that the Friends of the Delaware Canal introduced to the public in 2005. Since then, it has become one of the most popular features of both the Delaware Canal in Pennsylvania and the Delaware & Raritan Canal in New Jersey attracting increasing numbers of visitors each year. The five loops connected by six bridges spur more cross river usage from bicyclists and hikers, who are happy to discover new places and not backtrack.

A new Canal Loop will be available next year when the walkway attached to the I-295 Scudder Falls Bridge opens. This sixth loop will provide new, shorter looping routes in the southern end of the Canal. The routes will be:
• Leave the Delaware Canal towpath at Washington Crossing, PA > cross the river bridge at Washington Crossing > enter the D&R Canal towpath at Washington Crossing, NJ > follow the D&R south to Ewing, NJ > cross the Scudder Falls Bridge > rejoin the Delaware Canal towpath in Lower Makefield, PA > then follow the Delaware Canal back to Washington Crossing PA. A 6.7-mile loop.
• Leave the Delaware Canal towpath in Lower Makefield, PA > cross the Scudder Falls Bridge > enter the D&R Canal towpath at Ewing, NJ > follow the D&R south to Trenton, NJ > cross the Calhoun Street Bridge > rejoin the Delaware Canal towpath in Morrisville, PA > then follow the Delaware Canal back to Lower Makefield, PA. A 10.6 mile loop.

When the new Scudder Falls walkway opens, the existing loop trail map and signs will be obsolete. Anticipating that fine day, the Friends developed a plan to create a new map, incorporate that map into fourteen signs that will replace the signs that now stand by the loop crossing points in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and install two new sign bases at the landings at either end of the Scudder Falls pedestrian walkway.

The $4,500 project has been funded by a $3,000 tourism grant from the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau and $1500 contribution from Friends’ members and Washington Crossing residents, Barbara and Gordon Heisler. Our hearty thanks to both for investing in the potential benefits of the sixth loop. The redesign of the map is already underway, and the new sign panels should be fabricated by early 2021. The Friends’ Canal Action Team will be set to do the installations when the appropriate time arrives.
We’re looking forward to the day.

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NEED SOME DIVERSION?

Painted Turtle Along Towpath — The Painted Turtle is waiting for you to put together its pieces. PHOTO: Carole Mebus

Try piecing together our growing collection
of online jigsaw puzzles featuring the beauty
and wildlife of the Delaware Canal. You can
choose the number of pieces, so the extent
of the challenge is up to you. Find the Jigsaw
Puzzle Archive at fodc.org/jigsaw-puzzles.

P.S. For those of you who prefer an old fashioned
puzzle, we hope to have another
one to offer as a fundraiser next year. Would
you like an image of a bald eagle, a great blue
heron, or…?

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PUMP IN WAITING

The centrifugal pump, which will draw water from the Delaware River for the benefit of the Canal when it is water starved, is sitting at the northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park ready to be dropped into the River and hooked up. The service “road” down to the River was installed this summer and has already
come to the notice of local emergency service providers f or use in river rescues.

By August during a typical year, the Delaware River level would have dropped below the New Hope inlet, and the Canal would be without a water supply. This year, the summer was unusually rainy, and the level wasn’t an issue until mid-September. Fortunately, the rain soon returned and improved water flow.

The rainy summer was advantageous in that there are still two small hurdles to jump before the pump can be put into operation. The PA Fish and Boat Commission must approve the pump intake, and the Delaware River Basin Commission must give its final approval.

At this point in the season, it seems that the best decision is to wait until next spring to drop the pump into the River saving on equipment wear and tear and electricity costs. The pump saga continues.

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SHARING THE TOWPATH TRAIL: MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

Our appreciation for all that nature has to offer has soared during these strange times. Here in our backyard, there has been a considerable increase in the number of visitors taking advantage of local, County, and State parks. At the Delaware Canal State Park, visitation has increased by 40% with peaks up to 100%.

We are happy to see so many people taking advantage of the Canal towpath; however, this surge has created some friction among visitors. Navigating the crowds on foot or on a bike
can be challenging, so here are some tips to keep in mind.

Signal your intentions
Whether you are jogging, biking, walking your dog, or riding a horse, it is important to alert others of your intentions. Let your fellow trail users know you are coming and give a clear warning signal before passing on a bike. A friendly greeting or bell is considerate and works well. Indicate “On your left” when passing on the left.

Slow it down
When biking along the towpath, be sure to slow down when passing other trail users or going through the towns and hamlets along the way. A slower pace not only eliminates the risk of alarm or injury, but it encourages a pace ideal for taking in the scenery and wildlife.

Be aware
The towpath is only 12 or so-feetwide, so keep this in mind and avoid wandering onto private property. Be mindful of low bridge clearances and limited lines of sight, and be prepared to walk a bicycle under these structures when necessary. When in a group, use no more than half of the trail so you don’t block the flow of other users. And to help keep the towpath clean, pick-up along the way.

Horse, bikes and dog walkers on the towpath What’s wrong with this picture?
Answer: The dog walker and equestrians are yielding to the bicyclists. Trail use rules say that bicyclists should yield to all types of users. Also, the bicyclists are not wearing helmets, increasing the probability of incurring serious injury in a fall.

The Delaware Canal towpath is a very popular destination now. It has attracted the attention of travel writers and day-trippers alike.
Let’s all do what we can to ensure trail users have a naturally wonderful experience.

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Canal News – Summer 2020

Another Camelback Bridge Project Crossed Off the To-Do List

Work in progress at the Thompson-Neely Camelback Bridge

Extensive repair work on the historic camelback bridge that crosses the Delaware Canal in the northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park has been completed. To preserve one the canal’s most iconic and well-used structures, the Friends raised $78,000 in private contributions to fund the project. Thank you!

The work was completed by camelback bridge restoration expert Randall Myer of R-Shell Exteriors, Lancaster, PA. Myer and his assistant Jane Martin arrived on site in late January. The weather was cooperative, but the pandemic wasn’t. They were drawn off the job by the COVID-19 restrictions, and then returned to the project in May when construction activities were allowed.

After elevating, then stabilizing the bridge on cribbing, the main floor beams, posts, cross bracing, X braces, roof boards, and many deck boards were replaced with appropriate timber. The bridge then received its coatings of signature barn red stain. The final inspection by representatives from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Friends took place on June 3.

The Thompson-Neely Camelback Bridge is one of only six along the 58.9-mile-long canal that still retains its authentic structure. The camelback design was used on the Delaware Canal because it has a slight hump in the middle allowing clear passage of canal boats underneath. Today they are picturesque and useful reminders of the canal’s colorful past.

At the final inspection of the Thompson-Neely Camelback Bridge (from left) – Jane Martin and Randall Myer from R-Shell Exteriors, Bethany Hare, Delaware Canal State Park Assistant Manager; Eugene Gelfand, consulting engineer to DCNR; and Susan Taylor, Friends of the Delaware Canal.

The Friends of the Delaware Canal’s quest to restore and preserve the six remaining camelbacks began in 2002. Since then, five of the six have been restored. Their quest continues.

Friends’ volunteers undertake maintenance projects each year to keep the already restored bridges in good condition. The Upper Black Eddy Ready Response Team (UBERRT) will be restaining Hazzard’s Camelback Bridge this summer, and the Canal Action Team (CAT) will be applying their stain brushes to the Goat Farm Camelback Bridge, as well as cutting back vegetation that tries its best to engulf the bridge approaches.

The sixth bridge, Spahr’s Camelback Bridge in Upper Black Eddy, is a victim of earthquake damage and extensive deterioration. Its restoration is a major undertaking and remains a goal.

We are very grateful to the many generous contributors to this project, who love the camelback bridges and ensure their preservation. With special thanks to the Goodfellow Fund, Judy and Joe Franlin, Barbara and Peter Sperry, and Susan Taylor.

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Park Manager’s Report

by Devin Buzard

As you may have already gleaned from other articles in this issue of Canal News, we are nearing a predictable end to several large-scale construction projects along the northern end of the Canal.

These much needed replacements and repairs necessitated the dewatering of the Canal. The bypass gate that feeds Lehigh River water into the Canal was closed last fall. The waterway is essentially without water, but when it can be found in sporadic stretches, its source is stormwater runoff or local streams that flow directly into the Canal.

While there have been setbacks with recent events and the temporary cessation of some work, I am still optimistic that we will be able to introduce water once again as early as August.

As spring transitions into summer, I am finding it is difficult to predict what the next few months will bring. You will see an increase in boom mowing (long reach) along the banks as summer continues. We recently replaced this critical piece of machinery that was lost to a roll-over accident last year.

And, despite being faced with so much recent uncertainty, I have been inspired to see that the good work of the Friends has not faltered over the past few months. Most notably, I witnessed the fulfillment of a primary mission of the Friends – the restoration of an authentic camelback bridge in the skilled hands of an expert craftsman.

While there could be no large ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Thompson-Neely Camelback Bridge when the project was completed, I know that one would have been well-attended. A repair of this scale only exists with many supporters. I appreciate the Friend’s commitment to preserving our historic structures and proud to know that this bridge will go on to bear the footsteps of future generations.

Out on the towpath, I am sure you have noticed the increase in visitation and may have even personally witnessed a new user, who is still unfamiliar with trail etiquette. While the increase in traffic may at times be frustrating, it is important to remember that this influx of recreational users truly indicates the importance of our public lands that you, as Friends of the Delaware Canal, already know and support. While this trend in visitation may not last forever, it is my hope that the appreciation for places like the Delaware Canal will not fade.

The Friends heartily thank all the Delaware Canal State Park staff for keeping the towpath and waterway open during these extremely challenging times!

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Calendar of Events

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Person walking on the canal path — Always open.

COVID-19 has sucked the certainty out of the Friends’ plans for 2020. You already know more than you’d like about the hazards of gathering in groups and being in enclosed spaces,
so we won’t belabor the reasons why our organization has decided to cancel some of our traditional events and reconfigure others.

The Friends of the Delaware Canal is a Pennsylvania State Parks friends organization. As such, we must and want to comply with the directives
that are issued by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Those directives are based on the Center for Disease Control and Department of Health guidelines.

When you receive this newsletter, the Counties of Bucks and Northampton may be in the Green Phase, “the new normal.” At this point, the Friends’ “new normal” means that we will plan on having walks, but the number of participants will be limited to 20 people, who will social distance and wear masks. Reservations will be required. And, yes, we will have a sound amplification system, so there won’t be the need to huddle together to hear.

Canal Action Team (CAT) projects, such as bridge painting and vegetation removal, will go forward with precautions in place. The number of volunteers on each project will be limited to five, the work will take place outdoors, and no contact with the general public made. We would dearly love to take on some small group clean-up activities to make up for missing the Friends’ annual Canal Clean-Up Day, but there is just too much poison ivy growing on the banks to risk it. (And now you know why our annual cleanup is scheduled in very early April.)

Later this year, it may be possible to have some programs, such as photo shows or presentations by speakers, but it will depend upon how well COVID-19 is tamed. Plans are being made for virtual alternates, if need be. We will not be having our Paddle the Canal events in partnership with the State Park Educators this summer and fall. The need to sanitize the kayaks, paddles, and PFDs and be in close proximity during instruction and launching has ruled paddling out.

Our practice of carpooling people from the starting and finishing points of the Friends’ annual 58.9-mile long Canal Walk has complicated the decision about whether or not the Walk will be held this year.

Unfortunately, Faces and Places–A Celebration of the Arts and History Along the Delaware Canal has been canceled. Nearly all of the event arrangements for the Friends’ major fundraiser must be made well in advance, so the cancellation became inevitable. Plans are already underway for Faces and Places 2021.

Meanwhile, as the way forward becomes clear, we will let you know the what, where, and whens about upcoming activities. If you’ve provided your e-mail address, you will receive announcements via Constant Contact. The events will be posted on the www.fodc.org and listed on the Friends’ Facebook page.

It’s been very strange to be without events and activities since early March. We very much miss seeing you, and hope to be able to change that, at least somewhat, soon.

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BUTTON, BUTTON

THE FRIENDS HAVE A BUTTON

You can get yours absolutely free at the Locktender’s House in New Hope or at a Friends’ event.
Many thanks to Board member Jeff Connell for being our button benefactor!

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SMILING AT THE LOCKTENDER’S HOUSE

Even though the interior of the little museum at Locktender’s House at Lock 11 in New Hope is currently closed to visitors because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the Friends are still
sharing the Canal’s stories.

On weekends, Susan Schneider, our Locktender’s House guide, sits on the front porch. Decked out in her long skirt, homespun blouse, and mask, she has been greeting visitors and providing
them with information about the many aspects of the towpath and waterway.

Susan Schneider’s expression can’t be seen behind
her mask, but a painted stone, hid by a kind
someone nearby, makes it clear that there’s a smile
under there.

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Hand painted rock reminding people to wear masks

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The Construction Countdown
3 – 2 – 1 – Done

Completion is in sight for three major Canal construction projects. (Please knock on wood. This is no time to jinx anything.)

The northern end of the Canal from Easton to New Hope has been essentially dewatered since last fall. The bypass gate that supplies water from the Lehigh River was closed to allow work to begin on three projects during the winter/early spring. The timing of the dewatering was dictated by the restrictions concerning the habitat of the red belly turtle, a PA threatened species.

The three projects are:

• The replacement of the northern drop gate on Groundhog Lock aka Locks 22/23 in Raubsville
• The replacement of the Fry’s Run aka Kleinhans Aqueduct in Williams Township
• The repair of the berm bank blowout and structural damage at the Tinicum Aqueduct (The steel trough that conveys water over Tinicum Creek is not being replaced as part of this project.)

The first estimate for the completion of the three projects was May 2020, but then came the obstacles. Access agreement issues, problems with bids, a tree falling on a big piece of equipment, and, of course, COVID-19 shutdowns.

Now, in June, it almost seems miraculous to be able to report that all three projects are expected to be completed by early fall, at the latest, thanks to the diligence of DCNR and the contractors. We hope that there are no additional delays to be encountered due to material availability or personnel shortages due to COVID-19.

From North to South:

The massive timber drop gate for Groundhog Lock is being built in the shop of Methods and Materials Building Company of Gilbertsville, PA. (This is the same company that constructed the drop gate and miter gates for the Lock 11 rehabilitation.) The Delaware Canal State Park maintenance staff has cleaned out the gate chamber and is in the process of replacing the timbers on which the gate will rest. When the new gate arrives, the Park staff will install it. The project is anticipated to be finished in August at a cost of $44,000.

On August 11, 2018, three inches of rain fell in less than an hour turning Fry’s Run in Williams Township into a torrent heading to the Delaware River. The Fry’s Run aka Kleinhans Aqueduct stood in its way and lost the fight. Parts of the aqueduct and its supporting structure were torn away. As an interim measure to maintain water f low in the Canal, DCNR installed two pipes where the aqueduct had been. Last winter, Loftus Construction of Cinnaminson, NJ began work on the new aqueduct. In mid-June, the $780,000 project was 99% complete.

The northern berm bank and canal prism at the Tinicum Aqueduct were also victims of torrential rains. Tinicum Creek raged in June of 2017, collapsing the earthen structures at the aqueduct, but the steel trough and its pedestrian bridge remained intact. Tinicum Aqueduct destruction and reconstruction To keep water flowing southward, DCNR installed a temporary channel. Concurrently, an engineering consultant was engaged to develop plans to restore and strengthen the earthen structures, repair the leaks in the aqueduct’s stone abutments, reinforce its stone pier in the Creek, replace the deteriorated footbridge, and refinish the steel trough.

Clearwater Construction of New Cumberland, PA began the many-faceted, $1.045M job late last winter. Work is currently progressing and expected to be completed in July.

The completion of these three major projects holds the key to rewatering the Canal from Easton to New Hope. It really can’t come soon enough, but the progress that’s been made in spite of all the obstacles this year has been impressive.

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Refreshing the Stories

sign installation at Black Rock Road — Canal Action Team (CAT) volunteer Mark Frey installing the new sign panels at the Black Rock Road Picnic Area.

The Friends is very proud of its significant role in sharing the Delaware Canal’s history Our organization has been involved in the placement of nearly all the interpretive signs that can be found from Easton to Bristol. We both create new signs and improve and replace existing ones when needed.

Late last winter, six sign panels that had been suffering from wear and defacement were replaced through a partnership between the Friends and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Trail Towns Amenity Grant Program.

New panels, “Where the Water Flows and “A Modern Timber Aqueduct” were installed at either end of the Tohickon Aqueduct in Point Pleasant. The “Canal Boat Graveyard” panel was replaced in Tullytown, and the kiosk at the Black Rock Road Picnic Area in Lower Makefield received three new generic interpretive signs. Clear, crisp text and photos await your visit.

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Tending the Canal

The Friends’ Canal Tender volunteers watch over and care for their sections of the towpath and waterway year-round. The Delaware Canal is so much better for their efforts.

We welcome:

Bill Low, who is a Co-Tender with Aodan and Linda Peacock for the Phillips’ Mill to Centre Bridge section
Eileen Killeen and volunteers from Yardley Friends Meeting will be adding the Woodside Road to Mt. Eyre Road stretch to their tending territory.

Many thanks to our retiring Tenders

Alex Castner and sons Will and James for tending the Wheatsheaf Road to the Conrail Tunnel section
Bob Ketler: Woodside Road to Mt. Eyre
John Manocchio: Lock 11 to Rabbit Run
Ricki Fisher: Bridge Street to Rabbit Run
Marge Copenhaver: Phillips’ Mill to Centre Bridge
Annette Heinz and the “Housewives of Rolling Hills”: Lock 17 to Uhlerstown Covered Bridge

TENDERS ARE NEEDED for these sections, which can be divided into stretches of any length:

Bristol Borough: Riverfront Park to Lagoon Park
Bristol Borough: Lagoon Park to Green Lane
Bristol Twp: Green Lane to Edgely Road
Bristol Twp/Tullytown.: Edgely Road to Levittown Shopping Center (Arby’s)
Falls Twp.: Mill Creek Road to Wheatsheaf Road
Falls Twp.: Wheatsheaf Road toTyburn Road
Falls Twp.: Tyburn Road to Railroad Obstruction
New Hope: Bridge Street to the Rabbit Run Bridge in New Hope
Tinicum Twp: Lock 17 to the Uhlerstown Covered Bridge In Tinicum Township

Can you help? Find out more at fodc.org/help-the-canal/canal-tenders/

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SHARE THE TOWPATH TRAIL, PLEASE

On a recent weekday morning, we witnessed a scene that is all too common these days. A man, focused on his phone screen, was oblivious to a bicyclist who was coming up
behind him on the towpath, and this in spite of her several calls of “On your left” and finally resorting to “Hey, dude.” The man just
continued up the middle of the towpath, and the bicyclist swerved around him narrowly avoiding a fall into the water.

The moral of this story? We all need to be mindful when using the Canal towpath.

During this time of COVID-19, the towpath is experiencing an unprecedented surge in visitation. Many of the bicyclists and walkers have never been to the Delaware Canal State Park before.
These extraordinary circumstances mean that we need to heighten our awareness of whom and what is on the towpath. The extra dividend in this is that we will be more likely to spot the wildflowers and the wildlife. The sight of a dozen turtles lined up on a log is worth a pause.

Wearig masks on a walk along the Delaware Canal in New Hope — Out for a walk along the Delaware Canal in New Hope

Be prepared to wear a mask and social distance.
If you are close to other walkers, runners, or bicyclists, please be ready to put on a mask. The CDC guidelines suggest that all persons, when possible, should maintain at least six feet of distance. This separation often is not possible on the sometimes very narrow towpath. Wearing a mask is the best solution, and it signals that you care about others.

Ride your bicycle with care.
Bicycle tires rolling on the red argillite towpath don’t create much noise, and walkers can be taken by surprise. Cyclists need to make their approaches known by using a bell, calling “on your left,” or simply saying hello to signal the intention to pass. Be mindful of low bridge clearances and limited lines of sight, and be prepared to walk a bicycle under these structures when necessary. And slow down when passing a walker or other cyclist. It is just common courtesy.

Be a good steward of the Delaware Canal State Park.
Keep the towpath clean for all to enjoy. If you take a bottle of water with you, remember to take it home. Please don’t leave used masks and gloves behind. Most restroom facilities are now open for public use, so take care to keep them clean, too.

Just be nice.
If you are traveling in a group, be sure not to block the path for others. Bicycle riders should yield to pedestrians and hikers should yield to equestrians.

The Canal towpath connects many towns, large and small, to an inspiring natural resource. It can be a beautiful day in the neighborhood for all, if we just be mindful.

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WELCOME NEW FRIENDS
Carol & Dan Achord
Lucille Aquilone
Paul & Christine Angulo
John Augustine
Tom Curry
Cindy DeKraft
Linda Fleck
Zachary Henry
Mary Kocubinski
Walter Kocubinski
Sandra & Tom Lavis
Tamie & Douglas Logan
Joanne McDonald
Patricia & Tim Merkel
Mark Miller
Michael Mitrano
Eileen O’Mahony
Sydney Mason
Paul & Casey Pane
Steve Robinson
Ian Skuse
Kate Smith
Michael Swartley
Michael Tavella
John Wehmiller
Michael Yalowitz

Canal News – Fall 2017

It’s Confounding

One can never say that dealing with the Delaware Canal is dull – especially this summer. In the last issue of Canal News, we reported that the unexpected berm bank blowout just north of the Tinicum Aqueduct had been treated as an emergency, much to the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ credit. Bi-State Construction tackled the stabilization quickly, and the towpath trail was reopened to visitors. In short order, the creation of a temporary water channel was undertaken to keep the Lehigh River water flowing southward. We very much appreciate that DCNR allowed this project, which endorses the value of keeping water in the Canal.

Formed with concrete Jersey barriers and plastic liner, the temporary channel has a limited water volume capacity. As this article is being written in early September, the Lehigh

River water has slowly made its way south from the Tinicum Aqueduct to Point Pleasant. We hope that it will make its way even farther, but the level of water in the Canal in the affected section will be low, a “maintenance level.”

DCNR has determined that the preferred course of action for the Tinicum Aqueduct and its problematic northern berm bank is to repair it for an estimated $327,000, rather than replace it. Currently there is no “project funding” available at the State level, so the project will not move forward. (Given the PA State budget dilemma, it’s hard to tell when that may be.) The “repair” decision is dismaying in that the replacement of the Tinicum Aqueduct, a low volume steel beam trough, will move low on the list of Canal structure improvements.

Additional water may be on its way to the Point Pleasant – New Hope section of the Canal if Forest Park Water, a partnership of the North Penn and North Wales Water Authorities, can allow some of the water from the Point Pleasant Pumping Station to be diverted into the Canal. The Canal use has been approved by the Delaware River Basin Commission, but the implementation had been delayed by Forest Park’s need to supply additional water to the Limerick nuclear power plant.

Meanwhile, the Canal water levels in the north from Easton to Tinicum and in the south from the New Hope inlet to Bristol have been unusually high, due to this summer’s many rainfalls. In late August, the Delaware River did drop below the level of the New Hope inlet causing the levels in the southern end of the Canal to drop, but not to a level of concern. The Friends’ continue to pursue the installation of a centrifugal pump in the River adjacent to the Boy Scout camping area in the northern section of Washington Crossing Historic Park. This installation is currently being reviewed by the Delaware River Basin Commission. The centrifugal pump can augment the water level when the Canal is water starved by the River, usually for a few weeks in the summer. We’ve been very lucky this year to not have to deal with that problem.

The use of the centrifugal pump that has sometimes pulled Delaware River water into the Canal at Durham and a new pump installation at Marshall’s Island in Tinicum also will be considered by the Delaware River Basin Commission in November.

The good news for the middle section of the Canal is that the replacement of the Lower Limeport Bridge south of Centre Bridge is finished. It turned out well and features faux camelback trusses similar to those installed on the Redfield Bridge.

The bad news is that the Canal has gone dry from Centre Bridge to Lock 11 in New Hope twice in recent weeks. Once when a week’s worth of hot sunny days coincided with the Centre Bridge pump being turned off to allow Bi-State Construction to remove the temporary roadway at the Lower Limeport Bridge construction site. The second loss of water occurred when the Centre Bridge pump broke down. A new drive shaft for the impeller is being fabricated in Chicago, and the pump should be back in service by mid-September.

Progress is slowly being made on overcoming two of the Canal obstructions in the southern end of the Canal. Even though bids for the passageway through the Conrail embankment at the Morrisville Borough-Falls Township border came in $1.6 million higher than the allocated funding, PennDOT and DCNR have agreed to split the additional cost, so the project may move forward as soon as October.

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has agreed to cover the cost of the materials needed to construct a simple detour around the Tyburn Road obstruction. DCNR will provide the labor and equipment for the project. A Memorandum of Agreement for use and maintenance between PennDOT and DCNR is currently being reviewed by PennDOT at the Harrisburg level.

The Friends and the Delaware Canal State Park receive many calls about newly fallen trees or trees that have lain in the waterway for a long time. Ever since Hurricane Sandy, trees along the Canal have fallen weekly and sometimes daily. The Park maintenance staff’s first priority is to clear the towpath, and then clear the waterway as manpower, time, and equipment capabilities allow. A huge tree that has fallen into the Canal from an inaccessible berm bank property can sometimes require calling in a professional tree service. There simply have been more trees with which to deal than the Park can handle. Are there any tree services that would like to contribute a day or two of work along the Canal?

As always, the Friends carry on – planning, implementing and helping as friends do. We won’t be confounded.

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What Shall We Call It?

There’s something new at the Black Rock Road Picnic Area in Yardley. In addition to the benches, the bulletin board, and the parking, there’s now a small, yet tall, white building standing at the northern edge of the property. Inside the white building is a blue plastic portable toilet, which seems to be a very welcome addition to the site. And how did all this come to be?

As you probably are well aware, the 58.9-mile-long Delaware Canal State Park has a distinct lack of bathroom facilities. Two full-service comfort stations were built in the early 2000’s – one at the Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area in Raubsville and one at the Virginia Forrest Recreation Area in Solebury Township. A restroom facility, built by DCNR and maintained by the Borough of Morrisville, is located along the towpath just south of the Calhoun Street Bridge. There is also a restroom connected to the Maintenance Garage at the Park Headquarters in Upper Black Eddy. Portable toilets have been placed by the Park at the Forks of the Delaware Canal in Easton and in the Giving Pond parking lot in Tinicum Township. If the need arises at other locations, park visitors must use facilities in adjacent local parks, in nearby businesses, or resort to the never popular “green room.”

Inspired by the simple, but aesthetically pleasing portable toilet enclosures along the river shore in Oxford, Maryland, the Friends proposed a prototype project to Josh Swartley, the Park Manager. If the Park would agree to place and maintain a portable toilet at the popular Black Rock Road Picnic Area, the Friends would pay for the materials to build an enclosure similar to the ones in Oxford. Friends’ Canal Action Team aka CAT volunteers would build it.

Day 1 – A working lunch – pizza and paint.

Park officials thought it was worth a try and gave the go-ahead. Plans were finalized, materials ordered, and the e-mail was sent asking for volunteers interested in carpentry and painting. Ten people answered it. On Monday, July 24 a crew assembled at the Yardley Maintenance Area and started to cut the boards to size and stain them. Two workdays later, the fabricated panels were ready to be transported to Black Rock Road. One day of grading base stone and platform building was followed by erecting the walls and putting on the corrugated roof. Between four and seven volunteers participated on each workday, and, in a mere seven days, the enclosure was ready complete with a traditional quarter moon cutout.

The CAT volunteers brought their expertise and tools to the job and labored for a total of 228 hours.

MANY, MANY THANKS TO

Josh Gradwohl
Jerry Taylor
Ed Leydon
Collin Stuart
Jim Puzo
Rick Mingione
Jim Drisoll
Elizabeth Bennett
Chuck Bennett
Gordon Heisler

and the Delaware Canal State Park Maintenance staff for transporting the panels, providing a generator, supplying the base stone, and being helpful in general.

A blue plastic portable toilet was installed inside the enclosure about a week after its installation. Two orange chrysanthemums now stand by the enclosure door welcoming those in need. The Park and the Friends hope that Park visitors will appreciate and respect the new handicapped accessible facility.

And now to the important question, what should the small, yet tall, white building be called? It began as an “aesthetically pleasing portable toilet enclosure,” a name that is much too long. While at work, the CAT volunteers dubbed it the “Potty Barn,” but it’s not really a barn and the Pottery Barn probably wouldn’t be too pleased. A “comfort station” seems to make it more than it is. There are at least two votes for “Potty with a Porch.” What would you name it?

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Still Challenging

A new Legacy Fund Challenge, established with personal funds from the Friends’ Board of Directors, was announced in the summer issue of Canal News, and three people have stepped up to meet that challenge. A long-time member once again demonstrated her support, a participant in one of our Paddling the Canal events donated, and Gordon and Barbara Heisler of Washington Crossing contributed shares of appreciated stock.

Accompanying the Heisler’s donation came this note:

“ We really enjoy the Canal and its surroundings a lot. We’ve had three houses, two in Lower Makefield and now one in Upper Makefield, and have never lived more than a half mile from it (always well higher than it, however). We ridden bikes on it for 35+ years and remember when the towpath was a 2-foot wide trail that would only accommodate one mountain bike at a time. It’s come so far. Last Saturday, when we saw the kayak paddlers, we had already encountered over 50 people using the towpath. It’s such an incredible resource for the area. The Friends have championed so many improvements and the post-flood rehabilitation projects that we are glad to be able to help out some.”

To date, the Legacy Fund Challenge has generated $4,350, of which $2,175 came from private contributions and $2,175 in matching funds from the Board. That means that $7,825 of the original $10,000 challenge is still waiting to be met.

Please don’t let this opportunity pass by. To contribute to the Legacy Fund Challenge, you may click here or mail your check to Friends of the Delaware Canal, 145 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938. Gifts of marketable securities or real estate, bequests, gifts from tax-deferred retirement plans and life insurance policies are also options.

You can help the Friends do more.

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Park Manager’s Report

Let me start off by thanking the Friends of Delaware Canal for the new portable toilet enclosure that was built and installed at Black Rock Road. The volunteers put a lot of time and hard work into this project and should be commended for a job well done. Since the installation of the portable toilet into the enclosure, the new facilities have seen a significant amount of use and have provided a valuable amenity to the Park visitors in this area. Thank you!

Since my last report, Park staff have once again discovered multiple sinkholes in the Smithtown to Virginia Forrest Recreation Area of the Park. Repairs to these holes were completed at the end of August. This section of the Park tends to be a problem area with sinkholes, due to the canal bed being built only a few feet above the bedrock below. Sinkholes tend to form in areas of the bedrock that are fractured or where voids exist in the rock formations below. These voids and fractures allow water to flow under the canal liner which eventually erodes away and forms a sinkhole.

The new approach to fixing these sinkholes is to excavate down to bedrock, exposing the void and/or fracture. Then the area is filled with flowable concrete fill which seeps down into the voids and fractures, sealing them off to prevent water from flowing under the canal liner. This new approach has been in use since April of this year and, so far, appears to be successful.

Emergency repairs to the Tinicum Aqueduct have been completed. The towpath has been stabilized and reopened for public use along with stabilization work to the northern aqueduct abutment and wingwall. Park staff and a contractor were also able to install a temporary bypass at the aqueduct which allows for a minimal or maintenance flow of water to be sent through this section of the Canal. Final repairs will be forthcoming once funding has been allocated for this project.

Also, within the next year we anticipate several other projects starting along the Canal. They include the replacement of the Philips’ Mill Bridge in Solebury Township, replacement of the Kleinhans aqueduct in Williams Township, a pedestrian passageway through the Conrail embankment obstruction in Morrisville, and the rerouting of the trail around the Tyburn Road obstruction in Falls Township.

Enjoy the Canal!

Josh Swartley

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Lack of Ghosts

What happened while this Harvest Moon rose over the Canal?

For being 185-years-old, the Delaware Canal has surprisingly few ghost stories associated with it. There are no shortages of stories about less than stellar behavior – the goings on at Devil’s Half Acre and the brawling boatmen come to mind – but there seems to be a dearth of other worldly experiences.

In the spirit of Halloween, we ask you to use your imagination and share your ideas about where something spooky may have happened along the Canal and why it happened there.

We have no intentions of fabricating “new” history, but we would like to invite you to have some fun thinking about places along the Canal in a new way.

Send your haunting tales to friends@fodc.org.

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It’s Our 35^th Anniversary!

In October, 1982, thirty people gathered at the former Towpath House Restaurant in New Hope for what would become the first official meeting of the Friends of the Delaware Canal. The group was led by Betty Orlemann, who each day peered through her kitchen window overlooking the Canal in Smithtown and realized that “the canal needs help.” In attendance at the first meeting were former legislators Jim Greenwood and Peter Kostmayer; then Park Manager, Gene Giza; former historian from the Easton Canal Museum, Lance Metz; Virginia Forrest, who had been instrumental in having the Canal designated a National Historic Landmark, and many other concerned residents. Betty Orlemann was elected as first President and today continues to call in regularly to get a personal report about what’s going on.

Betty Orlemann, the founder of the Friends of the Delaware Canal.

Much has happened during the past 35 years – a list much too long to be contained in this newsletter. There have been heartrending challenges like the floods and there have been uplifting successes that have made the Canal all the better. The Friends have worked hard and had a lot of fun along the way.

With the extraordinary support of our growing membership, business sponsors, volunteers, Board members, Delaware Canal State Park staff, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), and all who take part in our numerous activities, the Canal moves closer to being the sustainable asset that it’s meant to be.

The Friends has evolved from a small grassroots organization to what it is today, a multi-faceted, vibrant organization that strives to sustain a link to our heritage, protect beautiful and diverse natural areas, and provide an array of educational and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. Our members and volunteers take their stewardship very seriously and strive to ensure that this dynamic treasure remains in good stead for future generations.

Come to the Friends’ Annual Meeting on November 14^th to see our Powerpoint presentation of photos taken during the last five years. It will highlight the highs and lows as the Canal and the Friends emerged from the flood years, as well as the excitement and satisfaction of creating new initiatives and activities. Will you see yourself?

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He of Great Achievements

What do you call someone who is good at everything?

All-knowing Google wil lead you to the word “polymath” – a person known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.

The Friends’ answer is “Peter Sperry.”

Peter Sperry about to undertake the installation of a Mile Marker.

We would like to pay tribute to Pete’s many achievements as he closes out his 15 years of service as a member of the Board of Directors. It is difficult to overstate Pete’s many lasting contributions to the Friends and the Delaware Canal. Since becoming involved with the Friends nearly 20 years ago, he has initiated and implemented complicated projects bringing his expertise as a scientist to bear.

He participated in myriads of meetings, programs, and events, and his evaluation and organizing skills smoothed the way through many a project. His focus is on effectively accomplishing things now and having them sustained into the future.

Two of Peter’s most remarkable achievements are the Delaware Canal Mile Marker project and the development of the Landmarks and Mileage Chart. He carried out each with his characteristic precision and tenacity.

The Mile Marker project was explained in detail in the summer issue of Canal News as Pete and volunteers embarked on replacing the markers that went missing or were damaged during the flood repair work.

Perhaps the most useful of Pete’s accomplishments is the development of the Landmarks and Mileage Chart that can be found on the Friends’ website. The chart encompasses the Canal’s full length from Bristol (Mile 0) to Easton (Mile 58.9). It provides distance information for landmarks along the Canal such as roadways, bridges, locks, aqueducts, parking areas, restrooms, historic sites, etc. Simply put, it lets you know what is where. It has proven to be an invaluable resource for Park visitors for trip planning purposes, for the Park staff and DCNR engineers, and for the Friends in planning early everything. A testament to the chart’s influence is that the State now refers to Park projects by their mileage location.

In November, 2014, Ellen Ferretti, former Secretary of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, presented Pete with a special award for his outstanding dedication and performance as a volunteer, especially noting his work on these two projects.

Pete has never failed to step up to a camelback bridge repair and painting project, enjoys the challenge of working with data, especially if it results in the Friends’ getting new members, and he is a champion of the Legacy Fund, which ensures the future of our organization. And to top it all off, he served as as Board President in 2005 and as Treasurer from 2006-2017.

Pete’s departure from the Board of Directors will leave a huge void, but the Friends are very pleased that he, his wife Barbara, and his family will continue to be active members of our organization.

We are forever grateful for Peter Sperry’s help!

Contact Us

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Canal News – Fall 2020

Construction Countdown Done

Rewatering Underway

Always on the Look Out

Park Manager’s Report

Events that We’re Missing this October

An Untraditional Calendar of Events

POP-UP SHORT WALKS

Locations, Dates, and Times are sent via Constant Contact and posted on fodc.org.

The Cares Act can help you help the Friends

NICE SAVE!

A 9-11 Bench Returns

We’ll be Ready

NEED SOME DIVERSION?

PUMP IN WAITING

SHARING THE TOWPATH TRAIL: MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER

WELCOME NEW FRIENDS

Canal News – Summer 2020

Another Camelback Bridge Project Crossed Off the To-Do List

Park Manager’s Report

The Friends heartily thank all the Delaware Canal State Park staff for keeping the towpath and waterway open during these extremely challenging times!

Calendar of Events

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BUTTON, BUTTON

SMILING AT THE LOCKTENDER’S HOUSE

The Construction Countdown 3 – 2 – 1 – Done

Refreshing the Stories

Tending the Canal

SHARE THE TOWPATH TRAIL, PLEASE

Canal News – Fall 2017

It’s Confounding

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What Shall We Call It?

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Still Challenging

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Park Manager’s Report

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Lack of Ghosts

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It’s Our 35th Anniversary!

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He of Great Achievements

Contact Us

Help the Canal

Get Email Updates

Menu

The Construction Countdown
3 – 2 – 1 – Done

It’s Our 35^th Anniversary!