The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently provided an optimistic update on the $37-million reconstruction of portions of the Delaware Canal damaged by Hurricane Ivan and a series of devastating floods. A relatively dry summer has allowed for constant work on fish ladders, stone walls, gates, locks, and lengthy portions of the canal and towpath. On the most severely damaged sections of towpath, crews are installing a new “stabilized turf,” composed of stone aggregate and grass seed that should produce a more erosion-resistant surface.

The update also noted the achievements of the Friends of the Delaware Canal and the Historic Delaware Canal Improvement Corporation in financing repairs on a 100-foot canal section near the David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, Bucks County. Replacement of the embankment and towpath allowed for the watering of the southern half of the canal between New Hope and Bristol.

Although “it has been a long, arduous and costly struggle to restore Delaware Canal,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis noted, all park repairs are expected to be completed in June 2010.

The full release is available from DCNR’s website.

On August 22, a large group of state legislators, government officials, trail workers, construction contractors, D&L staff, and trail users gathered on the D&L Trail in Luzerne County to celebrate the official opening of the recycled bridge. The bridge extends the D&L Trail, which passes through Lehigh Gorge State Park and the town of White Haven, north towards Mountaintop and Wilkes-Barre (Note: There is currently a trail obstruction at Glen Summit).

This was a fitting culmination to a project that Trail Steward Scott Everett and a host of people from PennDOT, DCNR, Anthracite Scenic Trails Association, Mountaintop Trail Association, Pocono Whitewater, Dennison Township, Luzerne County, Greater White haven Chamber of Commerce, and White Haven Borough have been committed to for years.

Leading off the event was 11th Congressional District Representative Paul E. Kanjorski, who called the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, “a great example of how federal, state and local partners are working together to preserve important resources.” The congressman was followed by representatives from several organizations, who commented on the importance of the D&L Trail to expanding recreational opportunities in eastern Pennsylvania, spurring economic development, and continuing the Commonwealth’s legacy of conservation.

Everyone is encouraged to come out and experience this section of trail. Work will continue on improving the surface and adding directional signage, but the trail and bridge are now officially open to use.

The D&L Trail follows an abandoned railroad right-of-way for nearly four miles between East Penn Township’s new boat launch and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. This is a dynamic section of trail, with continuous views of the Lehigh River on one side and the steep, rocky slopes of the Kittatiny Ridge on the other. Air and soil pollution from Palmerton’s zinc smelting plant defoliated the mountainsides, but, with the closing of the plant and the declaration of Lehigh Gap as a Superfund site, a successful remediation project is underway to bring the mountain’s native flora back to life. As you walk or ride the trail, take note of the grasses and shrubs growing among the scattered rocks; these are the first signs of what will one day be a thriving, blanket of green.

Parking is available at the East Penn Boat Launch (on Riverbend Rd., at Lizard Creek Junction) to the north and the Lehigh Gap Nature Center (on Paint Mill Rd., off of Rt. 873) to the south. Over the last year, this section of trail has seen significant improvements. Once the haunt of ATV-riders and the occasional fisherman, the trail has been widened, graded, and rolled so that mountain bikers, joggers, and hikers can also enjoy the trip. In some places, water drainage issues and loose rail ballast need to be addressed, but the trail is in generally good condition and sees regular use.

The scenery is a nice balance of industrial remnants and natural beauty. Along with the piers of old railroad trestles are wetlands and patches of wildflowers. Hawks circle above the river gap, and occasionally through the trees, you will catch a glimpse of the now dormant zinc plant. For a hawk’s-eye view of the gap, use the D&L Trail to access the ridge-running Appalachian Trail at the Nature Center. But, don’t miss the small ponds on the northern section of the trail.

Trail users can choose whether to travel the section and then backtrack or leave a car on both ends. For the more adventurous, continue the journey south along Slatington’s superbly-maintained rail-trail, Walnutport’s scenic canal towpath, or the Slate Heritage Trail that intersects the D&L Trail at Trout Creek.