Newsletter

NEW LOOK–SAME VISION

As a small but mighty non-profit organization, our website is often the first and only way people learn about us and our mission.

To grow and thrive, we need to attract more members, volunteers, and supporters dedicated to preserving and protecting the canal and towpath. This is a noble endeavor with broad appeal. So, we decided it was time for an online facelift.

After analyzing other websites and trends in the nonprofit world, we determined our site needed more visual impact. We partnered with an award-winning design firm to develop the new look, update the content and streamline the navigation. The design firm conducted interviews with Friends members, staff, and other stakeholders and used this input to develop a new format that would appeal to a variety of demographic groups.

As you explore our new web presence, you will notice updated text and more use of white space. We have also made it easier for visitors to join or donate.

We hope you will take a look around and let us know what you think. Websites evolve, and your feedback is important. If you have suggestions, we want to know.

The website is our first and best chance to capture the attention of people interested in the Delaware Canal. We want to introduce online visitors to the Friends in a welcoming and informative way.

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR, Clean-up day is almost here!

We hope you’ll join us for Canal Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 11, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This year, all 58.9 miles of the Delaware Canal are ready for our annual spring cleaning. Now that major construction is finished, we can tidy up the entire towpath and canal.

You can choose which section(s) you’d like to help with on our website. We’ll match volunteers with a Coordinator who will help organize the morning. Both on-land and in-water clean-ups are welcome.

Some sections especially need extra help. These areas of the towpath are in busier, more commercial neighborhoods, which means more people and more debris. Residents here rely on the canal and towpath for access to nature and recreation, so it’s important to do a thorough clean-up at least once a year.

If you have any questions or want to volunteer as a worker or community coordinator, call 215-862-2021 or email friends@fodc.org. If you know a group—like a civic club, school, or scout troop—that might want to join, please let us know.

The Clean-up Day work areas that need the most help are listed here. You can find a list of all clean-up sections on our website Events page at www.fodc.org/event/canal-clean-up-day-2026, the Friends of the Delaware Canal Facebook page, and in our March email campaign.

Last year, nearly 100 volunteers joined us for Clean-Up Day. This year, let’s aim for 150. The more people we have, the easier the work will be!

• Bristol Borough: Riverfront Park to
  Lagoon Park
• Bristol Borough: Lagoon Park to
  Green Lane
• Bristol Township: Green Lane to Edgely
• Bristol Township: Edgely to Levittown Shopping Center
• Falls Township: Levittown Shopping Center to Mill Creek Road
• Falls Township: Wheatsheaf Road to Tyburn
• Falls Township: Tyburn Road to RR obstruction
• Falls Township/Morrisville: RR obstruction to Bridge Street
• Falls Township/Morrisville: Bridge Street to East Maple
• Morrisville: Ferry Road to Black Rock
• Solebury Township: Rabbit Run to Phillips’ Mill
• Solebury Township: Virginia Forrest to
  Lock 12
• UBE/Riegelsville: The Narrow’s Inn to Mueller’s Store
• Easton: Wy-Hit-Tuk Park to Easton
  

A Tale of Two Canals

Many towpath visitors take advantage of the Loop Trails that connect Pennsylvania with New Jersey. Both states have similar
canals and histories but serve very different purposes today.

The Delaware Canal in Pennsylvania and the Delaware and Raritan Canal in New Jersey began as transportation waterways. These
canals were designed mainly to transport coal to cities in both states.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal crossed New Jersey from Bordentown to New Brunswick, connecting the Delaware and
Raritan Rivers. The canal eliminated the need to use the Atlantic Ocean route to get from Philadelphia to New York, thus reducing
travel time from two weeks to two days.

The canal boats on the Delaware Canal made their way from Easton to Bristol via New Hope. Here, boats headed to New York crossed the Delaware River via a cable ferry across the river to Lambertville. The boats continued their journey south from Lambertville on the D&R Canal. There are remnants of the cabling system in New Hope today, behind the River House at Odette’s.

This section of the D&R Canal along the Delaware River is called the feeder canal because it feeds Delaware River water into the main canal at Trenton. The feeder starts at Bulls Island and runs through Stockton, Lambertville, Washington Crossing, and Trenton.

However, the Delaware Canal and the D&R Canal would be forever changed by the expansion of the railroad throughout the two states. In 1871, the Pennsylvania Railroad leased the D&R Canal for 999 years and, after many years of financial losses, ceased operating the canal in 1937. The remainder of the canal was turned over to the state of New Jersey in 1937.

Once the railroad began connecting major cities along the East Coast, the canal could not compete. Consider that the trains ran all night and all year, but the canals did not operate at night or during the winter. Thus, the canals went into deficit and eventually ended operation as transportation systems. Both canals became the property of their respective states.

In Pennsylvania, the canal and towpath were repurposed as the Delaware Canal State Park, which was created in 1940. In 1937, the Delaware and Raritan Canal was turned over to the state of New Jersey. And while both canals became popular recreation spots, the feeder canal of the Delaware and Raritan Canal continued its original purpose, to “feed” or send water to the main canal. This canal is operated by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority, providing drinking water to over 1,000,000 residents of Central New Jersey. As a consequence, this canal is always fully watered.

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING 2025

UNPREDICTABLE WINTER WEATHER made it challenging for us to meet this season. After one cancellation, the Friends finally held the Annual Membership Meeting and Supper on January 6, 2026.

The potluck spread was filled with wonderful side dishes, salads, and desserts, not to mention a few tasty vegan options.Meat eaters dined on smoked turkey breast and honey-baked ham, courtesy of board member Jeff Connell.

The David Library Conference Center at Buckstone Farm was a perfect location. We dined in the large meeting room on the first floor before heading upstairs to the conference room for presentations by the executive director, board members and park staff.

Brett Webber began the meeting and introduced the park managers who were in attendance. Kelsey Hansen, Assistant Park Manager, gave an overview of current projects and a staffing update. Kelsey also thanked our members and canal tenders for their support throughout the year. Brian Heath and Emily Reed from DCNR were also in attendance.

Michael Ginder, executive director of FODC, provided a recap of FODC’s activities, including community engagement, canal-centered programs, fundraisers, and restoration and cleanup projects.

Brett Webber, FODC board president, discussed our organization’s growth and future plans, focusing on the first three projects identified in the 2032 plan. Another important undertaking is vegetation removal. We proposed doing a pilot project between Canal Park and Phillips Mill in New Hope. The first phase of the removal process, an Environmental Assessment Survey that DCNR requires, will begin this spring.

Webber also discussed options for getting the public back on the water, either through a water taxi or by reintroducing mule-drawn boats, a popular idea among many neighbors and businesses in the New Hope area.

Matt Emanuel, Board member and Treasurer, reviewed our financial highlights, which included strong gains in our investment accounts and a good showing from fundraising efforts. Most came from membership dues, the annual appeal, and donations, including bequests. We also received several grants in 2025, which will help with larger projects.

Matt thanked our members for their generous support of the Friends. He acknowledged there are many charitable options and thanked all who put the Friends at the top of the list.

We ended the meeting with Jack Torres, Secretary of FODC and chair of the Board of Directors nominating committee. We had five board members whose two-year terms had expired. All agreed to continue in their roles for another two years, and the membership was happy to say “yes” to these nominations.

As the attendees gathered their crockery and containers for the ride home, all agreed it was a worthwhile evening. Spending time with kindred spirits, eating good food, and sharing conversation is a welcome way to spend a winter’s evening.

Gardeners Wanted,
Will Train.

As I sit here putting the final touches on my garden seed order, anticipating the arrival of the impending Nor’easter, I am reminded of the wonderful garden spot at the Locktender’s House in New Hope.

It is a fairly large space, at approximately 32’ square, with newly painted and repaired fencing and stone paths. Yet the heart of the garden is in disarray.

A few irises and peonies along with catmint have held their ground over the years. And we have a lovely stand of milkweed which seems to move every season.

What we don’t have, is a few enthusiastic gardeners, or people who would like to learn gardening, to help plant and maintain this green space.

It has so much potential. It could be a cottage garden or a cook’s garden or an herbal oasis. So many possibilities, but they all take time and care over the season.

If you would like to be a part of our new gardening effort, please give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our online form. No experience is required and gardening supplies and equipment are available.

PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources launches a new Conservation Volunteer system called Galaxy
DCNR’s new Conservation Volunteer system is now live! If you’re interested in volunteer-ing, you’ll need to create a profile in the new system, even if you were registered on our previous website. Thank you for your contin-ued commitment and support. We are excited to move forward together with tools that better support our volunteers and the important work you do.
Learn more/register: https://dcnrvolunteers.pa.gov/