Join the Tinicum Players at the historic Stover Barn at Tinicum Park for a 1930’s barn dance and fundraiser to support the restoration of the Stover Barn Cupola. Step back in time to an era where Plein Air painters captured the beauty of our river towns and immortalized them on canvas.
Dress in your best 1930s attire and dance to Django-style jazz music by the Joe Cirotti Trio. Learn the steps to the Lindy Hop with instructors from Lehigh Valley Lindy. Discover how community efforts saved the Delaware Canal as a state park and help us to raise funds to restore the iconic Stover Barn Cupola.
The cost to restore the cupola is $55,000. Your attendance will help in reaching our goal. If you can not attend and would like to help, please make a donation to the restoration fund.
Starting on Saturday, September 28th the tradition continues!
The Friends of the Delaware Canal will embark on their 36th annual Canal Walk beginning on September 28, 2024. Nearly the entire course of the Canal will be explored over six consecutive weekends (10 days). Each walk will be shorter than in the past, covering an average of 5.5 miles offering more opportunities to explore the areas that interest you the most. The guided walking tours will begin at the Riverfront Park in Historic Bristol Borough and end at the Forks of the Delaware River in Easton, PA.
Hikers will learn about the area’s past and future while taking in the autumn scenery of the Canal and Delaware River corridor. Jeff Connell will lead the group with stories about the Delaware Canal highlighting sites of historic and environmental significance along the route.
The 10 segments of the Canal Walk are:
Saturday, September 28 – Bristol Riverfront Park, Bristol PA to Falls Township Park, Levittown, PA – 5.8 miles
Sunday, September 29 – Falls Township Park, Levittown, PA to Calhoun Street Bridge, Morrisville, PA – 4.5 Miles
Saturday, October 5 – Calhoun Street Bridge, Morrisville, PA to Scudder Falls Park and Ride, Yardley, PA – 4.8 miles
Saturday, October 12 -Scudder Falls Park and Ride to Thompson Neely Farmstead, Washington Crossing, PA – 7 miles
Sunday, October 13 – Thompson Neely Farmstead, Washington Crossing, PA to Hal Clark Park, New Hope, PA – 4.6 miles
Saturday, October 19 – Hal Clark Park, New Hope, PA to Bulls Island Park, Stockton, NJ – 4.1 miles
Sunday, October 20 – Smithtown Bridge 2, Point Pleasant, PA to Tinicum Park, Erwinna, PA – 4.9 miles (This leg is subject to Bridges 3 & 4 being completed.)
Saturday, October 26 – Tinicum Park, Erwinna, PA to Homestead Store, Upper Black Eddy, PA – 4.7 miles
Sunday, October 27 – Ringing Rocks Trailhead, Upper Black Eddy, PA to Mueller’s Store, Easton, PA – 6.4 miles
Saturday, November 2 – Mueller’s Store, Easton, PA to Forks of the Delaware Recreation Area – 7.7 miles
(The exact addresses of each location are listed at the bottom of this page.)
The Walks begin at 9 a.m. on each day. Participants are invited to walk on any or all of the dates.
Please bring a light lunch and beverage on each day.
Transportation back to the starting point will be accomplished by carpooling.
If you wish to park at the end point in the morning, please let us know and arrive by 8:15.
We will provide carpooling to the starting point.
The Walks are free, and donations are welcome. Bring a friend!
At the Narrows, formerly known as the Indian Rock Hotel.
Canal Walk Registration 2024
Sign up here for the walks you would like to attend
These events will be held unless it’s storming. If in doubt, check for a go/no go message on the www.fodc.org homepage. Any changes due to towpath closures will be updated on here and our Facebook Page.
Start and End location addresses:
Bristol Riverfront Park, Mill & Radcliffe Streets, Bristol, PA 19007
Falls Township Park – 9050 Mill Creek Rd, Levittown, PA, 19054
Calhoun Street Bridge, 350 Delaware Canal Towpath, Morrisville, PA 19067
Scudder Falls Park and Ride lot located at the intersection of Woodside and Taylorsville Roads, Yardley, PA 19067
Thompson Neely Farmstead, 1638 River Rd, Washington Crossing, PA 18977
Hal Clark Park, 2744 River Rd, New Hope, PA 18938
Smithtown Bridge 2, Bridge 2 Lane, Point Pleasant, PA 18950 (use Pipersville, PA for GPS)
Tinicum Park, 963 River Road, Erwinna, PA
Homestead Store, 1650 Bridgeton Hill Rd, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
Ringing Rocks Trailhead, 1975 River Road, Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
Mueller’s Store, 3205 S Delaware Dr, Easton, PA 18042
Forks of the Delaware Recreation Area, 210 South Delaware Avenue (Route 611), Easton, PA 18042
For more information about Canal Walk 2024 and other Friends’ activities, call 215-862-2021, e-mail friends@fodc.org, or visit our events page.
A Tale of Two Revolutions: The American and Industrial Revolutions
This year, the Friends will host its 14th Annual Faces and Places in and around Washington Crossing and Delaware Canal State Parks. A beacon for visitors far and wide, Washington
Crossing State Park holds a unique and significant place in our nation’s history. Our Faces and Places will focus on the fascinating and inspiring story of this area’s role in determining the birth of our nation.
We will begin our event at the park’s northern section. Our tour will include the graves of the unknown soldiers, the Thompson-Neely House and the farm complex. The Friends of Washington Crossing Park will then take us on a guided tour of the main house and mill, which has been renovated and revitalized.
Next, we travel to the park’s southern section, where our guides will take us on a tour of the Hibbs House, the Blacksmith’s Shop, and the Durham Boat Barn and explore several historic buildings in an area that was once called Taylorsville.
The Delaware Canal, a product of the Industrial Revolution, runs through both the lower and upper parks. Our event will provide a unique opportunity to learn about the canal’s connection and contribution to the area’s growth.
The finale will be dinner at the Washington Crossing Inn. Known for its food and excellent service, the Inn will undoubtedly top off our event with style and leave you with a memorable experience.
Come be a part of this unique event and help us celebrate our shared history. We hope you can join us.
TICKETS: $175 (MEMBERS) | $200 (NON-MEMBERS) | $250 (PATRONS)
You can purchase tickets online, by calling 215-862-2021, or by mail. Checks can be mailed to the Friends at 145 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938
Tickets to Faces and Places are for $175 for members, $200 for non-members and $250 for Patrons. If you are ordering more than two tickets, please enter the total amount for your purchase.
**TOWPATH CLOSURE** Raubsville sub-canal culvert, Williams Township, Northampton County (MP 53.26)– Towpath will be*closed*to all pedestrian traffic starting June 25th 2024, until further notice due to construction. The purpose of this closure is for PUBLIC SAFETY. Trail users should turn around at the closure and NOT attempt to get by it.
Early this year, we asked our members for input on our programs and events. We wanted to know not only what people liked in the past but what they would like to see more of in the future.
Happily, we had over 160 respondents who provided useful input that will help us develop and expand some of the things you like the most.
Nearly 65% of respondents who attended a fundraising event said they enjoyed our lunch and walks, cocktail receptions, jazz and dinner. Faces and Places and garden parties also received higher scores. Not as popular were galas and virtual cooking classes.
Faces and Places attendees said we should continue this tradition (91%) and the majority wanted to see the event held in Washington Crossing. So, this year, Washington Crossing will be the focus of this annual fundraising gathering which will include a tour of the park and dinner at the Washington Crossing Inn.
Forty percent of respondents said they attended a presentation/lecture in the past three years. During COVID we held these events online, as did many organizations. However, when asked, the majority (70%) would like to see more in-person presentations.
Of course, as a towpath-centric organization, walking tours are one of the things we do best. We try to offer a variety of places and experiences and 45% of respondents said they had been on one of our walks in the past three years. Topics of greatest interest for our walks included canal history, community history, spring flowers, birds, canal structures and a full moon walk. Biking and kayaking events also scored top marks.
Every year, we have our Annual Canal Walk which attempts to cover all 58.9 miles of the towpath over consecutive weekends starting in late September. Overwhelmingly, people said they would like shorter walks (6 miles or less) over more weekends. These walks, like every other towpath event, are dependent on construction projects and resulting closures.
Lastly, we received a lot of useful comments from those who responded. Here are a few anonymous verbatim comments we thought we would share.
• I would like to see more emphasis on cleaning up the canal, removing fallen trees and making it navigable.
• BYO Picnics and outdoor lectures.
• I understand a need to raise funds. Since joining I have annually donated. Perhaps noting how much you’d like to see each member contribute annually would help. Myself, I’m basically interested in an occasional short walk and an interesting lecture or presentation. Social events not a big hit w/me though I do enjoy socializing to some extent. I have been interested in several short walks in the past year but they get filled fast so I have not involved myself this past year.
• How about clinics that support activities on the canal. Ex. basic bike repair, water safety, training for running distances, make your own beer/wine using techniques from canal town Inns, Paint and Sip using a painting of the canal. Offering something that people can take away something would be a change up, I would be likely to do the paint and sip.
• We are interested in the virtual programs, and daytime walks, and would also appreciate information about the construction areas of the canal.
• I’m more interested in supporting FODC through volunteerism than donating money. I participated is a bridge painting activity which was great. But there was only one (that I am aware of). I feel like the park could benefit from volunteer work crews greatly. Maybe there aren’t enough willing volunteers…
We want to thank all who participated. Your feedback is important to us so please continue to share your opinions and concerns.
We are called the “Friends” of the Delaware Canal for a reason.
Towpath Improvements in Morrisville Improve Safety and Access
Wednesday, April 24th, was a momentous date for the borough of Morrisville. It marked the official “opening” of a new crosswalk and ramp near the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street—a towpath connector.
This connection, a labor of love for many public, government, and non-profit organizations, is also a testament to the community’s unwavering support and involvement. It removes the final obstruction in the lower half of the towpath. One of the last significant obstructions was the railroad crossing at Tyburn Road. In 2019, that problem was solved with money from PennDOT and others by installing a pedestrian passageway under the tracks.
Secretary Cindy Dunn at ribbon cutting in Morrisville.
The Bridge Street Crosswalk project planning began in 2010. Property owner negotiations, engineering design and approvals take time. As with many of these complex projects, there were a few setbacks. The northern side of the ramp was redesigned to accommodate a building foundation. By 2021, the project went out to bid, and Loftus Construction was awarded the contract. They uncovered issues with the original engineering design, and once that was resolved, construction began in December 2023.
Helen Hlahol, Morrisville Borough Council President, acknowledged that the canal and towpath have always been a community lifeline. She expressed her optimism that improving the connection to Bristol and the south will not only enhance opportunities for growth but also significantly boost the local economy. Claire Sadler, executive director of the Delaware and Lehigh Heritage Corridor and funding partner for this project, acknowledged the support and help of local businesses as well as FODC, emphasizing their crucial role in improving the canal and towpath.
DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn was on hand to help with the ribbon cutting along with Mayor Gary Wallace. Secretary Dunn reinforced the importance of investing in our trails and the failing infrastructure of the canal. She noted Governor Shapiro’s commitment, including an additional 8.5 million dollars in this year’s budget for trail improvements. “Much of that money will go to connecting public lands to the communities, providing better trails, so more people feel welcome and more economic activity is generated. Secretary Dunn said, “He (Governor Shapiro) is well aware of how important these trails are to the local community and economy. That’s on the heels of last year when they gave us $112 million for park and forest infrastructure. We are trying to make the parks and trails clean, safe, and ready to use. We are hopeful and pushing for this additional funding so we can realize our goals.
“Pennsylvania is well-positioned for recreation and trails. We have 12,000 miles of trails in the commonwealth, which distinguishes us as a ‘trails state.’ When you think of Pennsylvania compared to other states in the nation, it is one of our advantages that will help attract and keep young people who want to live, work, and play in Pennsylvania.” Undeniably, the Delaware Canal State Park and towpath play a vital role in improving the lives of those living in the Delaware River Valley.
A SIGN OF THE TIMES
Charlie Klein, a longtime member of the Friends and an artist, surprised us with a wonderful gift. We cherish and proudly display it in our exhibit space annex. It is a custom-made sign celebrating the Delaware Canal, and we are the happy
recipients.
Charlie began his love of carving and his passion for the canal and towpath many years ago. He came to love the Delaware River Valley when a college friend introduced him to the area. His carving talent developed while working with sixth through 12 grade students as an art teacher in Edition Township New Jersey. He met a cabinet maker who agreed to give Charlie access to his shop. Charlie began making furniture but developed an interest in signs. He started doing custom work for friends, and the rest is history.
Charlie and his wife Kathy, a painter, have displayed their work at Phillips’ Mill in Solebury, PA. In fact, Charlie’s connections to Phillips’ Mill run deep. He has been a member of the Phillips’ Mill art committee and supporter for years, helping to hang the shows. He has also designed and carved the awards given to the shows’ top prize winners. Charlie’s most recent award is a representation of the millstone displayed on the property.
Charlie estimates he has created over 100 signs, the largest of which is a whale. The sign we received from Charlie is 5 1/2 feet long, and he did a great deal of research to get the design
just right. He traveled to the Canal Museum in Easton to make sketches of a boat’s bow and stern. The number “03” carved into the sign also has significance because Charlie is the third
Charles Klein in his family.
Charlie’s signs are not just signs, they are unique, handcarved creations. Each sign is a testament to his creativity and skill. After making a rough cut with a router, he meticulously hand-chisels the rest of the detail. Working primarily in pine and basswood, he uses a variety of texturing tools to add interest. Once the carving is complete, Charlie applies his paints and stain with an artist’s touch, bringing each sign to life in its own unique way.
Charles Klein is an excellent example of a retiree who never stops learning and working at his craft. According to Charlie, carving keeps him out of trouble.
A BLAST FROM THE PAST
The Friends of the Delaware Canal had a precursor organization, the Delaware Valley Protective Association which was formed in 1933, fifty years before the incorporation of FODC. One of its founders was William Francis Taylor, a local artist and writer whose work is featured in our exhibit “Rediscovering the Towpath.”
Going through our materials archive, we came across this lovely illustration and narrative, which are as appropriate today as back then. The illustration on the left depicts the canal in a Sodom and Gomorrah-style scene, with bathers, billboards, and, worst of all, a hot dog stand. The right side has a tropical, serene feel with mules, a boat behind, and, of course, a camelback bridge.
Which one would you choose?
The message below the illustration says it all. “Development of the Delaware Valley is inevitable. It cannot be denied or averted. We who live here are not alone in our knowledge of its charm and its peace. Even today, realty in the Valley, on both sides of the river, is selling actively and not at bargain rates. The thousands of transients, growing yearly in number, bring many permanent residents, followed by new tradesmen to serve them. We need not deplore or fear growth, provided they can be guided into channels which enhance, rather than destroy those
very attributes which first drew us here.”
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME
It’s that time of year when our membership renewal notices are in the mail. Hopefully, you have received yours by now. If not, worry not; you can also renew online.
Our annual membership renewal drive is not just about sustaining the Friends’ work throughout the year. It’s about you, our loyal supporters, continuing to be a part of the projects,
programs, and communication that make a difference in our community. Your renewal ensures that we can keep moving forward together. We can only do our work with our members. Thanks to all of you for making it possible.
THERE IS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE FRIENDS
Unlike many other non-profits, we send only two appeals a year to our members and supporters. However, throughout the year, we receive donations through various non-taxable options
available to all who want to give. Below, we have outlined a few. You should consult your tax or financial advisor to find an option that is most beneficial to you.
Qualified Charitable Distribution
Why not join the many others who have begun supporting FODC through a QCD? As you may know, the IRS considers distributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) ordinary income. But, if you are over 70-1/2, you can donate all or part of that distribution to a non-profit organization, and it will be tax-exempt to you. It’s called a Qualified Charitable Distribution or QCD, and it effectively lowers your taxable income by the amount of the retirement distribution you donate. It’s a “win-win” for you and the non-profit organization you want to help. Plus, at age 73, you can use the QCD to satisfy part or all of your annual Required Minimum Distributions.
Donor-Advised Charitable Funds
This option has become more popular with our members as a way to make tax-deductible donations to the causes they want to support. If a particular project is important to you, you can
specify the use of those funds. Our ongoing campaign to raise funds to rebuild and restore Spahr’s Bridge, the remaining camelback bridge, has benefitted from these donations.
Employer Matching Programs
We encourage anyone who donates to non-profit organizations to ask their company if it has an employer-matching gifts program. It is a great way to extend your contributions and your impact.
Gift of Membership
What better way to get your Friends and family excited about the Delaware Canal and all it has to offer than with a gift of a membership to FODC? The recipient will receive a new member certificate (shown above), our quarterly newsletter, discounts on events and merchandise, and invitations to members-only gatherings. Whatever you choose, we are grateful for every donation we receive.
Together, we can ensure the Delaware Canal and Towpath continues to be an environmental and recreational asset.
Over 100 volunteers descend on the Delaware Canal for Clean-up Day.
For over 40 years, Friends of the Delaware Canal volunteers have been picking up trash and debris by land and boat along the nearly 60 miles of the Delaware Canal Towpath. This year, clean-up crews collected two dump trucks full of garbage, and boaters helped retrieve trash unreachable by land.
The Friends of the Delaware Canal organizes this annual event. It brings together members and neighbors for one common goal: getting the towpath and canal ready for spring. The support and hard work of our dedicated volunteers help make Delaware Canal State Park a community asset we can all be proud of.
We are grateful to all who participated in this event. With the help of our Canal Tenders, who monitor towpath and canal conditions throughout the year, we look forward to a clean and clear towpath throughout 2024.
As temperatures rise and days get longer, it’s time to get outdoors and there is no better place than the Delaware Canal and Towpath. This 58.9-mile greenway is a great place to connect with nature and history.
There are many interesting things to see on the canal, but we are highlighting a few of our favorites to explore. We like them because they have nearby parking, some have restrooms or a portable toilet, and all provide an interactive experience where the whole family can investigate remnants of our past.
It is worth noting that before you venture out for any long-distance adventure, check the park’s closure updates (right now there are many) or our website under breaking news. Or call the Friends for advice.
A Visit to Coffeetown and Fry’s RunAqueduct: Mile Marker 52
If you live in the northern section of the canal, closer to Easton, there are many landmarks along the way. Kleinhan’s Aqueduct and Fry’s Run, the stream that travels through the aqueduct to the river, are located at mile marker 52. This area is also called Coffeetown, known for a few enterprising women who roasted a mix of grains to mimic the taste of coffee. Coffee was a rare and pricey commodity and out of reach of most farmers and villagers.
Fry’s Run once powered grist mills and lumber mills and the area called Coffeetown developed into a small village by the late 1800s which included retail establishments, a school and a post office along with thriving industries.
Today, the village is commemorated at Fry’s Run Park with an exhibit that tells the story of Coffeetown. There’s also an observation deck, and remnants of a stone arch bridge, the oldest bridge in Northampton County which still provides a nice walking path and view of the creek.
What to look for when you visit:
• Fry’s Run Park with interpretive displays
• The 198-year-old stone M. Opp Bridge
• Fry’s Run (aka Kleinhans) Aqueduct and footbridge
• Overlook deck at Fry’s Run Park (built on the remnants of an old trolley line)
Uhlerstown, “The Best Preserved Hamlet in America”: Mile Marker 40
Further south near mile markers 39 and 40, you will find the hamlet of Uhlerstown. Parking is located in the nearby Tinicum Park, a mile from the Uhlerstown Historic District.
Named for Michael Uhler, this quaint and well-preserved piece of history was once a thriving industrial village, home to a lumber mill, grist mill, lime kilns, a boat building and repair yard, a stable and a hotel with a colorful past. Michael Uhler also built the mansion which is situated close to the base of the cliff. This home was one of the show places along the canal.
On a visit to this hamlet, you will find the Uhlerstown covered bridge, the only one over the Canal. The bridge is called a “lattice type” and records show that it was in use in 1832. Windows on the sides of the bridge are another unique feature.
The Uhlerstown Hotel, built about 1840, is now a private residence as is the Uhlerstown Hall. The Locktender’s House and lock are also worth seeing as are the remnants of the lime kilns.
Uhlerstown is a historic district that includes surrounding agricultural land. If you tour the area, please keep in mind that these are private residences.
What to look for when you visit:
• Uhler’s Mansion
• Covered bridge
• Lime kilns
• Lock 16 and the Locktender’s House, which is a private residence
Washington Crossing Historic Park, A National Treasure: Mile Marker 23
This historic park encompasses approximately 500 acres with many well-preserved points of interest and significance. The park is generally divided into the north and south sections. In the northern section, you will find Bowman’s Tower, the Thompson-Neely House and Gristmill, and the graves of unknown soldiers. In the south, you will find the Visitors Center along with the historic village of Taylorsville and the Washington Crossing Lagoon, a favorite spot for herons and other waterfowl. Tours of the park are an excellent way to get a glimpse of life on a farm in the 18th century
Visiting the northern section of the park you can tour the recently restored Thompson-Neely House. Originally built in four distinct sections, the central portion dates to 1702 when it was built as a one-room dwelling by John Pidcock. During the winter campaign of 1776/1777, the house was used as a makeshift hospital to treat sick and convalescing soldiers.
Restored by the Friends with contributions from our members and supporters, the Thompson-Neely Camelback Bridge Is one of the six remaining authentic camelback bridges that traverse the canal.
Located close to the shore of the Delaware River, the Soldiers’ Graves honor America’s unknown soldiers and Capt. James Moore, of the New York Artillery. He died on December 25, 1776, at the Thompson-Neely house. His is the only marked grave.
What to look for when you visit:
• Thomspon-Neely House and the barn (plus the flock of sheep)
• Camelback bridge
• Soldiers’ Graves
Bristol Borough, Where the Delaware Canal & Bristol Marsh Meet: Mile Marker 1
Bristol Borough is the third oldest town in Pennsylvania and the second-chartered borough in Pennsylvania. Samuel Clift founded the town on March 4, 1681, after receiving a grant from the governor of New York. Clift was required to start a ferry to Burlington and maintain a public house to receive his grant of 252 acres. A ferry, including the Steamboat Columbia beginning in 1876, was in operation until the construction of the Burlington-Bristol bridge in 1930.
There are many historic homes and structures in Bristol. The King George II Inn was the public house built by Clift. It was known as the Ferry House in the early days. George Washington and Martha (although not at the same time) are reputed to have slept here.
As plots of land were parceled and sold, the town began to flourish. Today, visitors can take a self-guided tour of the many historic homes on Radcliff Street enjoy the view at Waterfront Park, or retrace the original path of the canal using the blue bollards that mark the way. Other buildings and places worth a visit while in Bristol include the Grundy Museum and Library as well as the Canal Works Building which is adjacent to the Grundy Mill and Clock Tower. Lagoon Park is also a favorite spot for visitors with parking and a playground for children to enjoy.
What to look for when you visit:
• Radcliff Street
• Waterfront Park and monuments to the Hispanic, Irish and African-American communities, all of which played an important role in the history and development of the town.
• Martha Grundy Museum
• Lagoon Park
• Canal Trail
More to explore
The Delaware Canal covers a lot of territory. To help navigate the park, the Friends maintain and publish a Landmark and Mileage Chart. This traveler’s guide to the Delaware Canal State Park was the brainchild of Pete Sperry, a long-time member of the Friends and former Board member. After going on several walks, Pete was frustrated by the of lack information on the points of interest along the way. So, in 2002, he took on the task of documenting the locations of structures, landmarks, and amenities from Bristol Lagoon to Easton.
After four years of research, measurement, and compilation, the Landmarks and Mileage Chart made its debut in 2006. It is now in its sixth edition. It has become the primary reference tool used by visitors, planners, engineers, and State Park staff.
This was a labor of love involving lots of maps and software to get the coordinates and mileage points just right. Today, the information is reviewed periodically for accuracy, and updates are made as needed.
Once the mileage points along the canal were identified, the Friends installed mile marker posts. Over time, these posts became a nuisance to maintain, and a more permanent solution was developed. Granite markers were placed on the side of the towpath every mile along the full length of the canal. These mileage indicators are a great resource for any hiker, biker or someone looking for a restful picnic spot.
Where Am I?
To help you find what you are looking for, the chart is color-coded by type of amenity. This is a useful tool if you are trying to find a parking area or a location with a year-round restroom.
At the Board Table
At the January meeting, the Friends’ Board of Directors elected its officers for 2024. Serving will be Brett Webber, President; Laure Duval, Vice-President; Jack Torres, Secretary; and Matt Emanuel, Treasurer.
While we bid adieu to Larry Reinfeld our Treasurer and Board member for the past five years, we welcomed two new faces to our Board of Directors. Both bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for the organization.
Want to know more about our new board members? Read on!
MATT EMANUEL not only joined our Board this year, he also assumed the role of Treasurer. Nothing like jumping in with two feet! Matt and his wife Maria purchased a renovated Locktender’s House in 2023, and they were eager to become engaged with the community. The canal and the Friends seemed a logical place to start. So, after becoming members and attending a few events, Matt accepted the challenge of joining our Board and assuming the role of Treasurer.
Matt is a likely choice for the position. He has a strong background in finance, understands the markets, and will be able to steward our investments toward the long-term security of our organization.
Here are some comments from Matt on his recent nomination to the Board:
“I would like to introduce myself. I am Matthew Emanuel, and I have been a financial/Investment advisor for 32 years. I started my career on Wall St. in 1992. I have spent the last 28 years at Herold & Lantern Investments. I have been married for almost 25 years to my wonderful wife, Maria. We have one son, Alexander, who attends Lafayette College.
“In May of last year, we bought a Locktender’s House at Lock No. 14. It was intended to be a weekend retreat, but I fell in love with it and now call Bucks County my home. My dog Jake and I walk the towpath every day. “I would like to thank the Board for electing me Treasurer of the Friends of the Delaware Canal. I joined the Friends because I support their mission to restore, preserve, and improve the Delaware Canal. The past treasurer, Larry, was retiring, and the Friends needed a treasurer, so it was the perfect opportunity for me to volunteer. With the help of Larry over the past few months, I have been working hard to further the Friends’ mission. “My wife Maria and I look forward to meeting new friends, attending events and helping preserve and improve the beautiful Delaware Canal.”
JOHN O’KEEFE has been a member of the Friends for several years and began meeting with our executive director to look for ways to support the Friends’ mission. He brings a great deal of public and non-profit experience to the board table.
John oversees the division of Information Technology Services at Lafayette College and is responsible for the college’s technology strategy and IT operations, including learning and research technologies, user support, web development, digital infrastructure, and data integrations and reporting.
In addition to his Lafayette portfolio, John serves as chair of the board of KINBER. This Pennsylvania-based non-profit corporation provides broadband connectivity, fosters collaboration, and promotes the innovative use of digital technologies throughout the state. He has also served as chair of the board of the Consortium of Liberal Arts Colleges (CLAC), an organization that represents IT leaders from the top liberal arts colleges in the country, and the Third Street Alliance, a community-based non-profit that provides housing services for women and children as well as an early learning center, all within a historic mansion in downtown Easton.
John is an avid runner and a long-time canal enthusiast. While training at home for New Jersey’s Long Beach Island (LBI) 18-mile run, he charted a plan to run the canal in sections from Easton to New Hope using the Landmarks and Mileage Chart on the FODC website. After learning more about the Friends and their commitment to the canal, he was eager to contribute however possible, from lending support to creating virtual experiences along the canal to help drive membership and partnerships with local businesses. John holds an A.B. in American Studies and Music (double major) from Lafayette and is pursuing an EMBA at Drexel University.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Canal Clean-Up Day is Saturday, April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All 58.9 miles of the Delaware Canal are ready for the Friends’ annual spring cleaning. Some sections of the Canal are closed for construction projects, but we know our volunteers will do their best to get the open sections clean as a whistle.
While we will encourage our volunteers and members to clean up where they can, the efforts of Clean-up Day will focus on the southern end of the Canal and towpath below Black Rock Road. We will assign volunteers to a coordinator who will help manage the logistics of the morning. We encourage both on-land and by-boat clean-ups. Much of the debris is on the berm side (the side opposite the towpath) and, in many cases, can only be reached by water.
If you have questions or would like to volunteer either as a worker or as a section coordinator, please call 215-862-2021 or e-mail friends@fodc.org. If you know of a group (civic, school, scout…) that may be able to participate, let us know.
The Clean-Up Day work areas that we will focus on are listed below. We will also include the details on our Events page at www.fodc.org/event/canal-clean-up-day-2024/ on the Friends of the Delaware Canal Facebook page and in our early March email campaign.
Last year, more than 100 volunteers helped out on Clean-Up Day and throughout April. This year, let’s try for 150. Many hands make light work!
• Riverfront Park to Lagoon Park
• Lagoon Park to Green Lane
• Green Lane to Edgely
• Edgley to Levittown Shopping Center
• Levittown Shopping Center to Mill Creek Road
• Mill Creek Road to Wheatsheaf Road
• Wheatsheaf Road to Tyburn
• Tyburn Road to RR obstruction
• RR obstruction to Bridge Street
• Bridge Street to East Maple
• East Maple Avenue to Ferry Road
• Ferry Road to Black Rock
• Black Rock Road to Afton Avenue
A FOND FAREWELL TO JOSH GRADWOHL
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and we agree. Josh Gradwohl has been such an active member of the Friends that he seems to show up in nearly every project picture.
Want to know who installed the camelback bridge signs? Just look for Josh.
Want to know who repaired the Ground Hog Lock Wicket Shanty? There’s Josh again.
How about bench installation and bridge work? Josh is in the picture.
For well over a decade, Josh Gradwohl has been the go-to guy for tough jobs. A master carpenter and craftsman, Josh created a replica of the dilapidated entrance archway at Buckstone Farm.
Some say his reproduction is better than the original, and it will stand as a testament to his creative talent and skill. Building this arch was no small task, requiring hours of work measuring and prepping the wood to the exact dimensions of the original.
Although the Friends would compensate Josh for materials, all the hours he spent building and repairing were donated to the Friends. He was dedicated to preserving canal structures and helped rebuild and replace beams, siding, decking, and more.
As if that were not enough, Josh was also the Canal Tender in Morrisville from the Conrail Tunnel to Bridge Street. Along with his wife, Lynne Vogel, they removed massive amounts of debris from the berm side of the canal and restored the area back to a natural state.
Josh also became an expert at removing graffiti and other unsightly stains. Before Josh left for his new home, he provided instructions on how to best clean the interpretive signs the Friends (often with Josh’s help) installed along the towpath.
Oh, and the murals, let’s not forget the murals. Both Josh and Lynne took it upon themselves to clean the murals at the Locktender’s House, allowing the true colors to shine through. In fact, they were married at the Locktender’s House in 2013. It was a day worth celebrating. We wish them both many more days of celebration, good health, and happiness in the future.
2023 ANNUAL FRIENDS MEMBERSHIP MEETING
We were back and in person! For the first time in three years, the Annual Friends Membership meeting took place face-to-face. This potluck tradition was held at the David Library building at Buckstone Farm in Washington Crossing on Tuesday, November 12.
The event was well-attended by over 65 people who came bearing all sorts of delicious fare, including salads, desserts and side dishes. Even a few vegetables were included in the feast.
Old friends and new friends enjoyed the food and the company before retiring to the auditorium, where attendees received updates from Park Management on the state of the canal and the schedule of projects to be completed. It was heartening to see so much activity is planned for 2024 and beyond.
The priority projects for the Friends’ members are the replacement of the Lumberville Aqueduct and the High Falls Culvert. Without these infrastructure improvements, water cannot flow again, and hikers and bikers can’t access the loop trails.
Other projects on this list included the 12 Bridges Project, encompassing bridge repairs in Washington Crossing, Smithtown, Kintnersville, and Upper Black Eddy. Various wall and culvert repairs are also on this schedule, along with a wastegate repair at Bowman’s Hill and towpath resurfacing in Easton. The Easton area work is underway and includes an installation of an overflow near mile marker 53. Last but certainly not least is rebuilding the last remaining camelback bridge, Spahr’s Bridge in Upper Black Eddy.
Following the park updates, Brett Webber, FODC board president and Michael Ginder, our executive director, reviewed the activities and accomplishments of the Friends over the past year and our plans for the future.
Larry Reinfeld, the treasurer of the Friends for the past five years, provided an enlightening and entertaining presentation. Sadly, Larry decided to retire from his duties as secretary this year but will remain on the Finance Committee and support our newly elected treasurer, Matt Emanuel.
Jack Torres, the Friends secretary, presented the Board members up for re-election. All agreed to serve a new two-year term including, Jeff Connell, Laure Duval, Pete Rosswaag and Brett Webber.
We were delighted to welcome two new Board members, John O’Keefe from Nazareth, PA and Matthew Emanuel from Staten Island, NY and Point Pleasant, PA. These professionals join us with extensive non-profit and business experience. We are so glad they decided to come aboard.
If you could not join us for the meeting, you can view the PowerPoint presentation on our website and YouTube channel.
FODC TREASURER LARRY REINFELD RETIRES
Larry Reinfeld retired from the position of FODC treasurer but not from the Friends. In Larry’s new role, he will remain an active member of the Finance Committee. His knowledge and experience will continue to be a source of guidance for our new treasurer, Matt Emanuel.
During his tenure with the Friends, Larry was a watchful steward of our finances, managing investments and monitoring expenditures to ensure FODC stays true to the budget while focusing on our mission. And he was an active advocate for the canal, participating in clean-ups and repair projects.
We wish Larry a relaxing and fulfilling retirement.
Click the invitation above to purchase your tickets today!
Join the Tinicum Players at the historic Stover Barn at Tinicum Park for a 1930’s barn dance and fundraiser to support the restoration of the Stover Barn Cupola. Step back in time to an era where Plein Air painters captured the beauty of our river towns and immortalized them on canvas.
The Friends of the Delaware Canal will embark on their 36th annual Canal Walk beginning on September 28, 2024. Nearly the entire course of the Canal will be explored over six consecutive weekends (10 days). Each walk will be shorter than in the past, covering an average of 5.5 miles offering more opportunities to explore the areas that interest you the most. The guided walking tours will begin at the Riverfront Park in Historic Bristol Borough and end at the Forks of the Delaware River in Easton, PA.
This year, the Friends will host its 14th Annual Faces and Places in and around Washington Crossing and Delaware Canal State Parks. A beacon for visitors far and wide, Washington
Nearly 65% of respondents who attended a fundraising event said they enjoyed our lunch and walks, cocktail receptions, jazz and dinner. Faces and Places and garden parties also received higher scores. Not as popular were galas and virtual cooking classes.
Every year, we have our Annual Canal Walk which attempts to cover all 58.9 miles of the towpath over consecutive weekends starting in late September. Overwhelmingly, people said they would like shorter walks (6 miles or less) over more weekends. These walks, like every other towpath event, are dependent on construction projects and resulting closures.
“Pennsylvania is well-positioned for recreation and trails. We have 12,000 miles of trails in the commonwealth, which distinguishes us as a ‘trails state.’ When you think of Pennsylvania compared to other states in the nation, it is one of our advantages that will help attract and keep young people who want to live, work, and play in Pennsylvania.” Undeniably, the Delaware Canal State Park and towpath play a vital role in improving the lives of those living in the Delaware River Valley.
Charlie began his love of carving and his passion for the canal and towpath many years ago. He came to love the Delaware River Valley when a college friend introduced him to the area. His carving talent developed while working with sixth through 12 grade students as an art teacher in Edition Township New Jersey. He met a cabinet maker who agreed to give Charlie access to his shop. Charlie began making furniture but developed an interest in signs. He started doing custom work for friends, and the rest is history.
It’s that time of year when our membership renewal notices are in the mail. Hopefully, you have received yours by now. If not, worry not; you can also renew online.
Gift of Membership
A Visit to Coffeetown and Fry’s RunAqueduct: Mile Marker 52
