Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park

Nature Programs | History Programs | Scout Programs
Calendar of Events | Wish List | Volunteering

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What the D&R Canal State Park Has To Offer
The Delaware and Raritan Canal was built in the 1830s to transport goods to industrial areas. Today it is used as a water supply system and a corridor for people as well as wildlife. As you walk on the towpath you will see 19th century mills and locktender houses, along with hand-built spillways and stone-arched culverts.

The D&R Canal State Park offers a variety of habitats within its 70 mile long corridor. The canal is adjacent to many rivers making it an ideal place to study the diversity and adaptions of organisms found in a freshwater flood plain and riverine habitats. The park also contains areas representing upland forests and fields in varying stages of succession.

No matter what area of the D&R Canal State Park you visit, your students will leave with a better understanding of nature and their place in it.

All the programs listed below are FREE!

Call and speak with our Naturalist for more information or to schedule a program for your class.

D&R Canal State Park Naturalist: Stephanie Fox
Phone: (609) 397-2949
E-Mail: dnrnaturalist@verizon.net

Nature Program Topics Include:
Forestry
Students will learn...

		to identify New Jersey trees using a dichotomous key;
		to infer a tree's life history by looking at tree cookies;
		how different parts of a tree function together to make a tree grow.

Water Quality
Students will learn...

		to identify macroinvertebrates that help determine water quality;
		how point and non-point pollution effects water quality;
		to perform water testing for certain parameters.

Orienteering:
Students will learn...

		to identify topography symbols;
		how to determine distance from a topographical map;
		how to use a magnetic compass and complete a small obstacle course.

Insect Investigation:
Students will learn...

		how to find and identify insects;
		the diverse lifestyles and adaptations insects possess;
		the characteristics that make-up an insect.

NJ Animals:
Students will learn...

		the different classifications of animals found in New Jersey;
		about the four habitat requirements: food, shelter, water and a place to raise their young.

In-Class Presentations
If you can't come to us, we will come to you! Our naturalist can present informative, hands-on programs to our students on a variety of environmental subjects. Topics can include: Water Quality, Forestry, Diversity and Adaptions, Introduction to NJ Animals, and Orienteering. Other programs may be available on request. All programs will be geared for your grade level and are in correlation with the NJ Core Curriculum standards. The presentations last approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Please call (609) 924-5705 and speak with our naturalist for more information.

Canal History Programs
Weekend Biking or Walking Tours

Arrangements for historic biking or walking tours at the park can be made by appointment. If you have any questions please call and speak with our Historian for more information.

D&R Canal State Park Historian: Vicki Chirco
Phone: (609) 924-5705
E-Mail: dnrhistorian@verizon.net

Programs for Scouts
The Naturalist and Historian at the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park also offer several programs designed to help scouts work toward a variety of badge requirements. In some cases, one scheduled program is all that is needed to complete a badge and add to your list of scouting achievements. AND IT'S FREE!! Programs include:

GIRL SCOUTS

Brownies Animals Birds Try-It Eco-Explorer/Outdoor Adventurer Creepy Crawlers Trees for Our Future NJ Heritage Patch	Juniors Earth Connections Finding Your Way Wildlife Trees for Our Future NJ Naturalist NJ Heritage Patch	Seniors/Cadettes Wildlife Eco-Action Orienteering Trees for Our Future NJ Naturalist NJ Heritage Patch

BOY SCOUTS
Webelos Naturalist and Forester	Bears Sharing Your World With Wildlife

Other programs such as Orienteering and The Story of the D&R Canal can also be scheduled. If you are a scout leader and interested in scheduling one of these programs for your troop, then contact either Vicki (Historian) at dnrhistorian@verizon.net or Stephanie (Naturalist) at dnrnaturalist@verizon.net to discuss availability. Both can also be reached at (609) 924-5705. REMEMBER ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE!

Calendar of Events
The following scheduled programs are run by the D&R Canal State Park Naturalist, Historian and/or an affliated friends organization. Pre-registration is required to participate in any of the listed events unless otherwise noted. To do so, please call either (609) 924-5705 (main park office at Kingston), (609) 397-2949 (Bulls Island office) or the number indicated in the listing. You'll need to leave a contact name and phone number in the event of cancellation as well as the number of people planning to attend the program (please indicate number of adults and children). Program registration can also be done via the Internet by filling-out our Program Registration Form.

Jump To Calendar of Events

Click here to access the on-line Program Registration Form

Programs begin at varied times which are noted below and are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather, insufficient interest or other unforeseen circumstances. Call the park office if in doubt about a program's cancellation. ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE! If you would like further information about a specific program, please call.

2013 Calendar of Events

We'd like to wish everyone a happy holiday season and look forward to having you join us for programming in the park in 2013! As usual, we expect it to be a year filled with interesting, educational and engaging offerings for everyone. Below we've posted our January and Feburary programs but do continue to check back in 2013 for revisions, updates and, of course, our spring offerings. Until then...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH | APRIL | MAY

JANUARY EVENTS
Jan 11 thru Feb 25:	At Home on the Canal: Bridge & Lock Tenders' Houses on the Delaware & Raritan Canal: This exhibition of historic photographs will open on Friday, January 11th with a reception from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Lawrenceville School, located at 2500 Main Street in Lawrenceville. The show, sponsored jointly by the D&R Canal State Park and D&R Canal Watch and hosted by the Lawrenceville School in the Hutchins Routunda Gallery at the Gruss Center of Visual Arts (click to download campus map), will continue through February 25th. Each lock and bridge along the canal had a canal house in which the lock or bridge tender and his family lived. While lock tenders and lock houses were regular features on most canals, the D&R also required bridge tenders and bridge houses for its swing bridges. Of the total 15 lock houses and 51 bridge houses (66 total) identified by recent research, only 19 remain today. Photographs of 49 of the 66 houses are included in the exhibition. Each house was occupied by a canal company employee whose duty it was to tend the adjacent bridge or lock. These houses were provided as part of the compensation for lock and bridge tenders and their families about which few details are known. The job was a family affair in many cases and it was not unsual for tenders to retain their position into an advanced age or for a widow to take over the duties upon a husband's passing. A few bridge tenders lived out the rest of their lives in their homes as renters after the canal closed in 1932. Drawing on archival research by Canal Watch vice president Barbara Ross and D&R State Park historian Vicki Chirco, the exhibit includes previously unknown images dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Exhibition design and production is by Jack Koeppel, curator of the "Ribbons of Life" exhibition at the D&R Greenway Land Trust. The majority of the houses that remain today are owned and administered by the state and are in various states of preservation. Some are successfully managed by non-profit organizations, a few have recently seen restoration and now await a useful purpose, and others are barely hanging on. The intention of this exhibition is to showcase these canal structures (included on Preservation New Jersey's 2006 10 Most Endangered Historic Places* list),* reveal a little of their architecture and history, and highlight the significance of those that remain. The Lawrenceville School is located at 2500 Main St. (Route 206), Lawrenceville, NJ The exhibit is FREE and open to the public from 9 am - Noon; 1 pm - 4:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 9 AM to Noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays through February 25. For information call 609-620-6026. Click to Download Invitation
January 13 (Sunday) 10 am	Walk the Canal ~ Griggstown to East Millstone: Join the D&R Canal Watch for this 5.6 mile walk along one of the more rural sections of the canal park. Participants are asked to meet at the East Millstone Canal House at 10:00 am.. Parking is available at the D&R Canal State Park lot located on Amwell Road or on Market Street behind the rescue squad. Carpools will be arranged to allow transportation back to the starting point. The tour will include the newly restored bridgetender’s house in East Millstone, the nearby canal basin, the support for the original king post bridge across the canal and a pier for the former Somerset and Mercer Railroad. Additional historic sites, including the Mule Tenders Barracks in Griggstown, will be explored. For further details contact Bob and Linda Barth at (201) 401-3121 (or email: barths@att.net).
January 17 (Thursday) 9 am	Canoe/Kayak the D & R Canal: Join the Sierra Club as they look for an invigorating 12 mile winter paddle from Cherry Tree Lane to Kingston. This Lawrence Township paddle will start at 9:00 am. The group will meet at Cherry Tree Lane and then head northwards into Kingston - no portages on this trip! Bring your own boat, equipment, lunch and beverages. Rentals are NOT available. Please contact leaders to confirm meeting location and participation. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS. This ride will be lead by George & Leona Fluck and sponsored by the Sierra Club. For further information please call 609-259-3734 or email Leona@pineypaddlers.com.
January 20 (Sunday) 2 pm	Going Places: A Brief History of Transportation in Lambertville: As part of its annual meeting, the Lambertville Historical Society will host a presentation by Fred Eisinger board member and amateur historian, on Lambertville's transportation history. Join us at 2:00 pm at the Municipal Court/Justice Center - (25 South Union Street, Lambertville) for this afternoon presentation. This lecture is open to the public and is wheelchair accessible. Light refreshments will be provided. For further information please call 609-397-0770 and leave a message or click here to visit the Lamberville Historical Society's web site. Registration is not required and admission is FREE!
January 21 (Monday) Noon-3pm	National Day of Service ~ Clean-Up at the Mapleton Preserve: Join members of the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands for an invigorating Clean-Up Day at Mapleton Preserve from 12:00 - 3:00 pm! We will be clearing small trees, brush, and trash around the Preserve. Volunteers are asked to bring tools such as saws, clippers, loppers and rakes. Dress for the weather, whatever it is. This is your opportunity to take part in this annual National Day of Service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. It is free and all are welcome. For more information, see www.fpnl.org or call 609-683-0483. This special program is sponsored by the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands.
January 27 (Sunday) 2 pm	Winter Festival Walk ~ Bridging Two Canals: Join the D&R Canal Watch and the Friends of the Delaware Canal for a guided history and nature tour along both the D&R feeder and the Delaware Canal. Participants are asked to meet by the caboose behind the Lambertville Station restaurant (11 Bridge Street) at 2:00 pm. This popular program is part of the week long Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival. The first stop on this two-mile walk will be the D&R Feeder Canal lift lock and outlet lock to learn how canal boats once crossed the river by cable ferry. Heading across the bridge and into New Hope, the Delaware Canal towpath will soon be found. We'll trek southward through town to Lock 11 and the Locktender's House. Hot chocolate with marshmallows and other goodies will be waiting inside. For those who want to walk and see a bit more, we'll venture a short distance south to the New Hope inlet to take in the many historic sites and the glorious vistas of the River and wingdam. Come enjoy the season, burn a few calories and learn a bit about the D & R and Delaware Division Canal! This guided walk is co-sponsored by the D&R Canal Watch and the Friends of the Delaware Canal. For further information please call 215-862-2021, visit www.fodc.org or contact Bob Barth at (201) 401-3121.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
February 3 10 am	Griggstown to Kingston: Join the D&R Canal Watch for this 5 mile walk along the main line of the canal park (or do a shorter walk of 3 miles ending at Rocky Hill). Participants are asked to meet at the Kingston Canal House at 10:00 am.. Carpools will be arranged to allow transportation back to the starting point. This program will provide information about both canal and local history. For further details contact Bob and Linda Barth at (201) 401-3121 (or email: barths@att.net). This walk is cosponsored by the Montgomery Friends of Open Space.
February 23 (Saturday)	Explore the D & R Canal by Light Rail: Repeated by popular demand! Join us for a whirlwind guided tour by light rail into the nineteenth century between Roebling and Trenton! We will meet in the parking lot of the Bordentown RiverLINE Light Rail station (100 W. Park Avenue at Prince Street, above the boat landing) at 9:15 am, purchase tickets, and be treated to a brief introduction before boarding the train to Trenton. The train will follow the path of the D&R Canal from Crosswicks Creek to Trenton. See the abandoned canal, Watson's Creek and the Hamilton-Trenton-Bordentown Marsh. In the City of Trenton, where Route 129 is on the former route of the canal, remnants of the industrial and commercial buildings that lined the canal can be observed and compared with earlier photos. Who knows, we may disembark at Cass Street or Hamilton Avenue for a closer look before continuing to the end of the line near Trenton's Railroad Station, and might even travel to Roebling before returning to Bordentown around 11:00 am. Participants will get an overview of places that are difficult to see any other way, but anyone expecting a leisurely guided tour will be disappointed. Two-hour, either direction tickets are $1.50 (.70 for seniors). Please bring exact change. Parking and the tour are FREE. Meet in the parking lot of the Bordentown Light Rail station at 9:15 AM sharp. Exact times are subject to railroad schedules, so please verify nearer the time of the tour. Space is limited and pre-registration is strongly advised; call 609 924-2683 after February 5th. The trip is sponsored by the D & R Canal Watch and cosponsored by the Friends for the Marsh and D & R Greenway Land Trust.
MARCH EVENTS
March 2 10:00 am (Saturday)	History & Nature Walk ~ From Nursery to Canal: Enjoy a round-trip walk with the D&R's historian and naturalist leading from the main office at Kingston to the canal towpath and the Kingston Canal House. Participants will meet at the Kingston office located at 145 Mapleton Road at 10:00 am for a leisurely 2-mile round trip walk. The group will proceed from the headquarters through a portion of the Mapleton Preserve (the former Princeton Nursery site) towards the canal towpath and the Kingston Canal House before turning back. Dress for the weather and come enjoy a winter morning outdoors while burning a few calories and learning a bit about the historic and natural resources of the D & R Canal State Park! Pre-registration IS REQUIRED. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS. Register for this program
March 8 5:30 pm (Friday)	Evening Woodcock Watch at Kingston: Join NJ Audubon volunteer (and Kingston resident) Arlene Oley and Park naturalist, Stephanie Fox, as they lead a dusk walk into the Mapleton Preserve in Kingston to search out the sites and sounds of the Woodcock. This unique looking bird provides a fanciful flight and sound display that will delight all that attend. Depending on the weather, the group should also hear the chirps and peeps of frogs and toads from the surrounding area. The program will begin at 5:30 pm. Participants are asked to meet at the D & R Canal Kingston Office located at 145 Mapleton Road (.2 miles from Rt. 27/Main Street). Participants are asked to bring a flashlight for the walk back to the cars. Pre-registration IS REQUIRED. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS. Register for this program
March 9: 1 - 3 pm (Saturday)	The Blackwells Mills Canal House Hosts “St. Patrick's Day Song Fest”: Come to the historic bridge tender's house located on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in Franklin Township for an afternoon of music. Bob Denson, local musician, will entertain as a solo acoustic performer, playing audience requests, Irish ballads, and music from the American songbook. The house will be open from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Come by, stay a while and enjoy music by the canal. Registration is NOT required and admission is FREE!
March 10 10:00 am (Sunday)	Walk the D&R Canal ~ Kingston to Alexander Road Join the D&R Canal Watch as they host a walk along the canal path in Princeton Participants are asked to meet at the Alexander Road parking lot at 10 am for this 3.8 mile walk (or do a shorter walk, ending at the Millstone Aqueduct - 2.2 miles). Plan to join the Watch for this late winter walk. Program leaders will provide information about both canal and local history. For further details contact Bob and Linda Barth at (201) 401-3121 (or email: barths@att.net).
March 16: 1:00 pm (Saturday)	End of Winter Hike: This weekend is the last one of winter so join the park naturalist in celebrating the end the season and the coming of spring. We will be hiking the White Oak Trail located at Bulls Island Recreational Area. The hike will be approximately 2 miles, but an option for a longer hike along the Lockatong Creek is possible. Please meet at the Bulls Island Recreation Area Office (2185 Daniel Bray Highway, Stockton, NJ) at 1:00 p.m. Wear sturdy shoes; it most likely will be muddy out there. Registration IS required. INCLEMENT WEATHER CANCELS. Register for this program
March 30 (Saturday) 10:00 am	22nd Annual D & R Canal Watch 5K Run: The D & R Canal Watch 5K Fun Run, which begins and ends at Washington Crossing State Park in Titusville, has become a popular annual event attracting as many as 250 runners. This year the START LOCATION is at Washington Crossing State Park where there is plenty of parking (enter at main park entrance gate off Route 546)! Start and finish is opposite the Park's visitor center. Start time is 10:00 am. The route includes the historic park, Route 29 pedestrian bridge, D&R Canal towpath and Titusville village street. Prizes will be awarded and T-shirts supplied to all registrants while supplies last. Race day registration fee of $20 for the 5K Race (same-day registration and packet pickup: 8:45-9:45 a.m.), but you can save by pre-registering. Runners can also register online at www.active.com. For full details, directions, entry form, registration information and/or materials contact the D&R Canal Watch at 609-989-1931 or online at www.canalwatch.org. All proceed will benefit the park!
APRIL EVENTS
April 6: (Saturday) 2 - 4 pm	Scavenger Hunt & Nature Walk at the Blackwells Mills Canal House: Linda and Bob Barth, D&R Canal historians, will guide this children's educational tour. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Prizes will be awarded. Refreshments for everyone. Come to the historic canal house on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in Franklin Township for this fun, educational program. Registration required - call the Canal House (732-873-2133) or Barbara at (908-369-0357). In the event of inclement weather, a rain date will be assigned.
April 13: (Saturday) 2 - 4 pm	Arbor Day Celebration: This Arbor Day celebration welcomes all to the Mapleton Preserve, the former home of Princeton Nurseries from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Join Karen Linder, president of Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands, for a spring walk. In honor of Arbor Day, we will be taking a close look at the trees of the Mapleton Preserve, with a focus on identification, natural history, wildlife value and the beneficial role of trees in our environment. The event will start with a tree planting, and participants will learn best practices for getting new trees off to a good start. The group will then take a leisurely walk along former nursery roads. Following the walk, refreshments will be available and each participant will receive a free baby tree to take home. The event, sponsored by the Friends of Princeton Nursery Lands will be held at the Mapleton Preserve, 145 Mapleton Road in Kingston. It is FREE and open to all. For more information, call Karen Linder at 609-683-0483 or visit www.fpnl.org.
April 20 (Saturday) 10 am By Robert LaFond	Walk the D&R Canal ~ Baker's Basin to Alexander Road Join the D&R Canal Watch as they enjoy a 3.8 mile walk spring walk along the canal path from Lawrence to Princeton Township (or do a shorter walk from the Basin to Port Mercer - 2.3 miles). Participants are asked to meet at the Basin parking lot on Alexander Road at 10:00 am. Plan to join this spring walk along the path. This program will provide information about both canal and local history. For further details contact Bob and Linda Barth at (201) 401-3121 (or email: barths@att.net).
MAY EVENTS
May 4 10 am - 4 pm (Saturday)	Blackwells Mills Canal House Association’s Market Day: Attend the Blackwells Mills Canal House Association's sale on the lawn besides the historic canal house located at the intersection of Canal and Blackwells Mills Roads in Franklin Township. Perennial and annual plants will be available for sale. Professional consultants will be on hand to answer your questions on care and planting. DONATIONS FROM YOUR GARDEN ARE WELCOME! To donate please call Barbara at (908) 369-0357 two weeks in advance. The sale will begin at 10 am and continue until 4 pm. Registration is NOT required and admission is FREE!
May 11 11 am - 5 pm (Saturday)	Spirit of the Jerseys ~ Annual History Fair: This full afternoon of events highlighting all the state historic sites (including the D & R Canal)and organizations from across the state will be held at Washington Crossing State Park located off County Road 546 in Titusville, Mercer County from 11:00 - 5:00. Children and adults will enjoy historic games, a 19th century medicine show and baseball game, living history demonstrations including dance and music, open hearth cooking and military encampments. Historic portrayers will be roaming the fair as George Washington, General Howe, Benjamin Franklin, Molly Pitcher, Soujourner Truth, Walt Whitman and others. It promises to be a day filled with fun and educational activities for the entire family. The complete schedule of events is still to be finalized. Come discover and celebrate NJ’s diverse and rich history! Join the family fun rain or shine at "The Crossing" from 11 am - 5 pm. For information call (609) 737-9303 or visit www.njhistoryfair.org. PARKING $5/VEHICLE (suggested donation). EVENT WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE. This annual event is sponsored by the NJ Division of Environmental Protection ~ Division of Parks and Forestry ~ Office of Historic Sites.
May 18 10:00 am (Saturday)	Walk the D&R Canal ~ Baker's Basin to Mulberry Street Join the D&R Canal Watch as they host a walk along the canal path in Lawrence Township. Participants are asked to meet at the Carnegie Road parking lot at 10 am for this 4 mile walk (or do a shorter 3 mile walk). Plan to join the Watch for this spring walk. Program leaders will provide information about both canal and local history. For further details contact Bob and Linda Barth at (201) 401-3121 (or email: barths@att.net).

Our Wish List
Please check the list below to see if you could donate any of the following items to the Park to enhance our interpretive programs! Donations would be greatly appreciated and are tax deductible! Contact the office if you are able to help out.

E-mail: dnrhistorian@verizon.net
Phone: 609-924-5705

		A color printer that is compatible with Windows 2000, XP or Apple iMac
		Field Guides
		New Jersey History Books
		Books on Canal History or Technology
		Binoculars
		Insect Nets
		Mounted Animals for use in displays and/or in programs

We're Looking for a Few Good Volunteers...
Do you have time on your hands? Are you interested in history or nature? Do you have hands-on skills such as sewing, wood working or engineering? If so, we would love to hear from you! Our interpreters are interested in finding a few good volunteers who have an interest in the D&R Canal and want to help others learn more about it. A few projects you might consider "taking on" include:

		Creating and sewing both a boy's and girl's typical 19th century outfit that can be used in hands-on programs;
		Developing your own canal or 19th century related project;
		Compiling an on-going bird list for all areas along the canal;
		Creating a nature or history program for the public using your area of expertise.

If one of these projects interests you, please contact the park office and ask to speak with either the Historic Preservation Specialist or the Naturalist.

E-mail: dnrhistorian@verizon.net
Phone: 609-924-5705

REMEMBER: All programs are FREE!