The Delaware River Greenway Partnership recently received the good news that the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PADCNR) is providing a grant to fund the Delaware River Water Trail Plan and several water trail implementation projects.

The idea of a water trail from Hancock, NY to the Palmyra-Tacony Bridge has been in the making for quite some time, but the vision was put on paper and submitted to the PA DCNR in 2001and will soon become a reality. The Delaware River Trail Plan will include background information, GIS maps, and recommendations to implement and maintain a river trail with a variety of links to the land-based access points, liveries, overnight accommodations, and a variety of cultural, historical, and natural places to visit.

Several additional products will include river and land trail signage, a water/land trail guide, updated river maps and an interactive website. In addition to the funding provided by the PADCNR grant, the Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has agreed to contribute a significant number of in-kind hours to produce the geographical information system (GIS) maps required for the plan and the implementation projects. The United States National Park Service (US NPS) is providing technical assistance. The Greenway Partnership is currently seeking additional funds to make this vision a reality!