Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park - New Jersey
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member Math Teacher
N 40° 24.570 W 075° 02.147
18T E 496963 N 4473209
The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry owns and maintains this greenway. Contact the D&R Canal at the Canal State Park office at 908-873-3050
Waymark Code: WM2MN5
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 11/21/2007
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member wilkintj
Views: 32
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The "D&R" Canal State Park is a continuous 35-mile greenway that extends from Trenton to New Brunswick. Bicyclists and pedestrians can travel from Port Mercer to New Brunswick along the canal towpath, and canoes can navigate the entire length of the park with a minimum of portages. The feeder canal towpath is negotiable by wheelchair when dry, as is the towpath from Turning Basin Park to New Brunswick.

The D&R Canal was built between 1830 and 1834 by Irish immigrants using pickaxes, shovels, and wheelbarrows. The main canal extended from Bordentown to New Brunswick, with a "feeder" canal from Raven Rock in Hunterton County to Trenton. The canal was a major transportation route, especially for transporting coal from Pennsylvania to New York. It was less used after the turn of the century because of the competing railroad, which provided a faster means of transportation.

In 1932 the canal operations were closed and the Canal Company and Pennsylvania Railroad ceded the land to the state. The canal remained an important water conduit, and the state park was established in 1974. Today, the canal serves as water supply, recreational, historical, and natural resource as well.

Also see: Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park

Park Type: Day Use & Overnight

Activities:
Picnic Camping Horseback Riding Hiking Jogging Canoeing & Kayaking (Rentals Available) Fishing SIghtseeing Nature Walk

Background:
The 70-mile Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park is one of central New Jersey's most popular recreational corridors for canoeing, jogging, hiking, bicycling, fishing and horseback riding. The canal and the park are part of the National Recreation Trail System. This linear park is also a valuable wildlife corridor connecting fields and forests. A recent bird survey conducted in the park revealed 160 species of birds, almost 90 of which nested in the park With its wooden bridges and 19th century bridge tender houses, remnants of locks, cobblestone spillways and hand-built stone-arched culverts, the canal is a tremendous attraction for history lovers. The upper portion of the feeder canal follows the Delaware River through historic New Jersey towns such as Frenchtown, Stockton and Lambertville. The main canal passes the Port Mercer bridge tender's house, through the charming villages of Kingston and Griggstown to Blackwells Mills, ending up in New Brunswick. Canoes can be rented at Griggstown and Princeton from concessionaires.

Date Established?: 1974

Link to Park: [Web Link]

Additional Entrance Points: N 40° 24.650 W 075° 02.047

Park Fees: Not listed
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Recent Visits/Logs:
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urpickle visited Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park - New Jersey 05/18/2012 urpickle visited it
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