SURVEY SAYS?
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.
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.
