REHABILITATION OF THE LANDING LANE SPILLWAY NEAR COMPLETION, TOWPATH OPEN
UPDATED - JULY 29, 2023
Towpath Reopening – We are pleased to report that as of July 29, 2023, the towpath has reopened and is once again accessible to our park users. However, please note finishing work and final aesthetic/landscaping activities are on-going.
Paul Harenberg of the New Jersey Water Supply Authority can be reached for any questions at
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Central New Jersey Does Exist!
July 6, 2023
It's official, Central New Jersey is “a thing!” At the end of June the New Jersey legislature (both the Assembly and Senate) signed legislation (S3206/A4711 - still to be approved by the Governor) recognizing the region and defining it as being “comprised, at a minimum of the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset.”
In celebration of this state recognition, Old York Cellars has partnered with Discover Central New Jersey to create a line of wines aptly named “Central Jersey Exists.” How does this connect to the D&R Canal State Park? In support of the park, which runs through all the identified central NJ counties, Old York Cellars has pledged to donate $2 for each bottle sold to two of our partner organizations; the D&R Canal Watch and the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition/Millstone Valley Scenic Byway. Both not only support the Park but are are actively engaged in resource preservation and the promotion of heritage tourism in Central New Jersey.
So head over to Old York Cellars in Ringoes to purchase a bottle or two and raise a glass to Central New Jersey! This is also a fantastic way for you to help support both our affiliated organizations AND the Park! Thank you Discover Central New Jersey and Old York Cellars. Salute!
ORDER ONLINE: Old York Cellars - "Central Jersey Exists"
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Find Old York Wines At These Locations
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Old York Cellars Launches "Central Jersey Exists" Series of Wines
New Interpretive Waysides at the Bordentown Outlet Lock
May 20, 2023
Park visitors who explore the trail at Bordentown will notice two new interpretive waysides at the outlet lock area. The park has the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission to thank for this welcome addition to the park. These waysides provide information about the surviving untouched lift lock located at this entrance point along the former transportation corridor and the small but thriving community that was located here.
The signs were created by Hunter Research in consultation with our park historian. We thank not only the Commission for negotiating for this mitigation project with Jeffery Haberman of Dynamic Engineering Consultants but also the staff at Hunter Research including Patrick Harshbarger who assisted with the content, layout and design as well as Micheal Brown who handled the installation.
If you haven’t visited this area of the park consider a day trip to the historic town of Bordentown. After some sightseeing and perhaps a meal, take a walk over the NJ Transit River Line pedestrian bridge which crosses the Crosswicks Creek to access this section of the D&R Canal State Park for a walk along the towpath!
Click for the location of the Bordentown Outlet Lock
Click for more about the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission
Click for more about Hunter Research
A New Roof & Door for the Kingston Toll House
June 30, 2023
The park is happy to report on the completion of another much needed building improvement. With funding from from the
Canal Society of New Jersey and in partnership with the Kingston Historical Society, the historic toll house in Kingston has received new roofing and a new entrance door. Both were much needed and will help to maintain the structure until additional restoration work can be done. We are particularly pleased to see a more historically accurate, period appropriate plank door restored to the structure.
The park again extends its thanks and gratitude to Canal Society of NJ, the Kingston Historical Society and especially to Chris Riley whose expertise, workmanship and cooperation resulted in a fantastic finished product. We are beyond pleased and hope to see additional improvement to this significant piece of D&R history. This toll house/bridge tender’s station is one of five surviving such stations along the corridor.
We never tire of saying that it is partly with the help and support of our partner organizations that much needed projects such as this can be addressed. We are grateful for their willingness to help fund such projects and for their commitment to support the park’s mission of resource stewardship. Our partners are always looking to recruit new members so if you have a passion for the D&R Canal, local history or any of the natural resources and trails managed by the park then by all means consider becoming an active volunteer with one of our many affiliated groups. Get off the bench, get involved and become a D&R Canal State Park stewardship champion! New members and volunteers are ALWAYS needed and welcome!
Kingston Canal House Gets A Maintenance Makeover
MARCH 22, 2023
The Kingston Canal House (a former bridge & lock house) has had a much needed “maintenance makeover.” With funding from from the Canal Society of New Jersey and in partnership with the Kingston Historical Society, the side entrance door was replaced in kind, a new gutter was installed and the entire water damaged facade received several much needed fresh coats of paint. The park extends its thanks and gratitude to Canal Society of NJ, the Kingston Historical Society and Chris Riley who did a fantastic job on the repairs and “facelift” for this historic canal house.
It is partly with the help and support of our partner organizations that much needed projects such as this can be addressed. We are grateful for their willingness to help fund such projects and for their commitment to support the park’s mission of resource stewardship. If you also support that mission, then by all means consider becoming an active member of one of our many affiliated groups; get off the bench, get involved and become a D&R Canal State Park stewardship champion! New members and volunteers are ALWAYS needed and welcome!
