TRENTON, N.J. — The Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission is inviting residents and visitors to help shape the future of the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park by participating in a series of public engagement sessions this summer.
The commission, a regulatory agency within the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, is updating the park’s 1989 Master Plan, which guides the park’s development and helps protect its historic, environmental and water supply resources.
The Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park stretches through 34 municipalities in central New Jersey and is one of the state’s most heavily used recreational corridors.
“As a resident of the canal region, I know firsthand that the D&R Canal State Park is one of the most popular in New Jersey,” Department of Environmental Protection Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak said. “I have long been an advocate for protecting and enhancing the state park’s environmental, historic and recreational resources, which are enjoyed by countless residents and visitors in central New Jersey. I encourage the public to participate in the planning process and help the DEP and the Commission ensure the state park’s continued success for decades to come.”
The master plan update is being funded through a $550,000 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust. A key component of the project is a Historic Structures Survey that will document the condition of the park’s historic resources. The last such survey was completed in 1982.
New Jersey State Parks manages the day-to-day operations of the canal park, while the New Jersey Water Supply Authority operates and maintains the canal’s water transmission system, which provides up to 100 million gallons of drinking water each day to an estimated 1 million people in central New Jersey.
“The Department of Environmental Protection, Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission and New Jersey Water Supply Authority work collaboratively to ensure the state park continues to provide recreational opportunities and amenities for visitors while preserving its historic resources and conserving natural resources,” said John Cecil, assistant commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “Public input and participation in this master plan update are critical to the success of this effort, and we look forward to hearing from the many residents and visitors who use and value this park.”
The Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission was established in 1974 and is responsible for preparing, adopting and implementing the park’s master plan, reviewing state and local actions affecting the park and coordinating efforts to preserve its resources.
“For more than a half century, the Commission has been at the forefront of protecting the canal state park. However, central New Jersey has undergone major environmental, economic and demographic changes since 1989, and the Master Plan no longer reflects the truth on the ground in the 450 square miles of the Commission’s jurisdiction,” said D&R Canal Commission Executive Director John Hutchison. “We encourage residents to participate in these public sessions so we can get a better understanding of their experiences when using the 70-mile linear state park, which will then help us devise a new plan that will preserve and grow the park in the 21st century.”
Public engagement sessions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on the following dates:
- July 14: Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School, 33 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick
- July 20: Phillip J. Pittore Justice Center, 25 S. Union St., Lambertville
- July 29: Franklin Township Community Center, 505 DeMott Lane, Somerset
- Aug. 11: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Public Hearing Room, 401 E. State St., Trenton
- Sept. 8: Lawrence Township Library Headquarters Branch, 2751 Brunswick Pike, Lawrence Township
Those unable to attend a session may submit comments online through the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission’s website at nj.gov/dep/drcc/master-plan-updates.shtml.
