Caring for the Canal

The 60-mile-long Delaware Canal is a treasured landmark that winds its way through Bucks County connecting the region’s past with countless recreational opportunities. Stretching from Easton to Bristol, the canal passes through Upper Makefield Township, which is home to a picturesque four-mile section of this historic waterway. Lined with an abundance of trees shading the towpath, tranquil waters, and wildlife, the canal offers a peaceful haven where every season brings its own unique beauty. On any given day, walkers, runners, cyclists, and families can be found along the towpath enjoying the scenic landscape. Preserving this beloved destination—and the history and natural beauty that define it—is the mission of the nonprofit Friends of the Delaware Canal (FODC).

An Historic Landmark

Originally built between 1827 and 1832, the Delaware Canal was used primarily to haul anthracite coal from the Poconos region to Philadelphia until 1931. That same year, 40 miles of the canal were deeded to Pennsylvania as Roosevelt State Park, and by 1940, the entire canal became part of the park system. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and then renamed Delaware Canal State Park in 1989.

Today, the park is managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). To help with preservation efforts of the canal, residents formed FODC in 1982. The organization raises funds for projects, coordinates volunteer efforts, and advocates for the park. FODC Executive Director Michael Ginder has led the organization for five years.

“The people we work with are phenomenal,” he says. “Everyone has a deep passion for the canal. They really care about keeping it preserved, making sure the history is known, and that it’s a great place for people to come. The support we get from the community and legislators is very heartening.”

Community Contributions

One of FODC’s most important volunteer initiatives is the Canal Tender Program, which was established in 1993 to help keep the canal clean, safe, and well maintained. The program divides the canal into 34 sections, each cared for by a volunteer known as a canal tender. They are responsible for walking their section regularly, removing litter, and reporting any maintenance issues like downed trees, graffiti, erosion, or damaged infrastructure. Depending on the project, FODC will organize a group to undertake repairs, working in conjunction with DCNR.

Gordon Heisler has lived within a half mile of the canal for more than 50 years, 19 of them in Upper Makefield Township. For 13 years, he held the canal tender position for the Upper Makefield Township section that runs from Mt. Eyre Road to Stoney Run Aqueduct.

“I’m an avid bike rider so I’ve always been an active canal user and have been involved with the Friends group for a while,” he says. “As a canal tender, your responsibility is to keep an eye on the canal, reporting anything that is not 100% in good shape or the way it should be. Especially after storms, I’d report a tree down at a mile marker, washouts, exposed roots, or a mountain of trash. We’re just trying to minimize anything that could be a problem for walkers and bikers.”

Last year, Heisler retired from the volunteer position and passed on the responsibility for his section to Yardley Borough resident Pete Klabe. Living just a block and a half away from the canal, Klabe uses the towpath nearly every day.

Klabe’s involvement with FODC began in 2021 after he encountered graffiti while walking on the towpath. He cleaned and repainted the area on his own. He had been following the FODC Facebook page where he saw a post that community members could submit trail reports, so he took before and after photos and sent them to the organization. They were very thankful for his work.

When Heisler reached out for Klabe to take over as a canal tender, he readily accepted. Already familiar with the Upper Makefield Township section, he was excited to take on this role since he frequently bikes the towpath to New Hope and Stockton and enjoys running in Washington Crossing Historic Park.

“I love the canal and am happy to give back,” he says. “What I like about the Upper Makefield Township portion is on the southern part of Washington Crossing where you have water on both ends with ponds on the east side and the canal on the west side. You can see so much wildlife. The canal also gives you access to many historical features like Buckstone Farm and one of the aqueducts. It’s a place that brings people together.”

Ginder says DCNR is appreciative of the Canal Tender Program. He also emphasizes that the township is lucky to have two great tenders who have helped to sustain the beauty and usability of this section of the park.

“Gordon is wonderful and a great supporter of the canal as a past tender and board member who was always willing to help out and pitch in because he cares so much about the canal,” he says. “Pete is the same. He’s consistently out there walking along the canal, reporting back any problems, and always volunteers to help with any project.”

Ongoing Maintenance

Another major undertaking that FODC coordinates with the help of the canal tenders is its annual Canal Clean-Up Day. Held the second weekend of April, volunteers from throughout the region sign up for a three-hour work session to clean up the canal together. Participants are provided with gloves and trash bags to remove litter. The canal passes through urban, suburban, and rural areas, and last year’s volunteers collected enough trash and debris to fill up two dump trucks.

Klabe ran his first clean-up event as a canal tender this past spring. “It was a great experience where I met a lot of people who Gordon used to work with and some new people who came from New Jersey,” he says. “We all got to know each other and shared our experiences with the canal. We walked the entire section, inspected it, and made sure it was clean.”

Besides keeping the park preserved and clean for everyday use, FODC is planning for its future. The organization’s 2032 Plan lists projects it wants to work on in the coming years, including the installation of a pump near Washington Crossing Historic Park to help maintain water levels during drier months.

“The pumps have become increasingly important to have the canal filled with water,” Heisler says. “The Friends are trying to develop new projects like the pumps to help solve the water level issues. As members, we act as the eyes and ears to let DCNR know when there’s something that needs attention and what can be done to improve the canal.”

Preserving a Legacy

The Delaware Canal is a living reminder of the county’s industrial heritage and remains one of the most beloved outdoor destinations. With the help of volunteers, the canal remains an important asset in Bucks County. For Klabe and Heisler, preserving the canal is about ensuring that future generations develop an appreciation for nature and local history.

“Since my kids are growing up going to the canal, I see that they are valuing the outdoors, valuing the trail systems and parks,” Klabe says. “It’s a gorgeous place that I want generations to enjoy.”

Ginder agrees that the canal needs to continue to be a haven for recreation, jogging, biking, walking, and water activities. “I would love to make sure the canal is preserved and its history is preserved for everybody in perpetuity, to make sure we keep as much of the original structure intact as possible for people in the future, and to ensure it is accessible for visitors to enjoy because it is a beautiful asset we have in this area,” he says.

Dari Kotzker resides in Bucks County with her husband and four kids. She has worked as a reporter in television news and print media since 2001.

Photograph by Juan Vidal Photography