Fifty years ago, on October 10, New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne signed legislation to create the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park, a 70-mile linear park in Central Jersey that is the second most visited state park.

The legislation that created the park and its regulatory authority, the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission, resolved the question of what to do about a historically important canal, the Delaware and Raritan, that ceased operations in the 1930s after playing a key role in the development of New Jersey and New York for a century. A key feature of the canal is a 70-mile-long walking and biking path, known as a “towpath,” that attracts more than a million users every year.

To celebrate the anniversary, the nonprofit D&R Canal Watch has organized a walk-run-bike event called Tour de Towpath, centered at Cadwalader Park in Trenton, on Saturday, October 26. Arrive between 9 or 9:30 for the 10 am start. Registration is now open at www.tourdetowpath.org.

“The D&R Canal State Park is one of the state’s best outdoor recreation resources. The Tour de Towpath is the perfect way to increase awareness and celebrate the park and its Canal Commission,” said Linda Barth, President of D&R Canal Watch, a nonprofit group that organizes volunteer projects and raises funds for the park.  Only New Jersey’s Liberty State Park has more visitors every year than the D&R.

“I’m delighted to see more and more people taking advantage of the D&R Canal State Park, which was one of my father’s proudest legacies as at New Jersey state senator,” said former State Senator Christopher “Kip” Bateman, whose father, Senator Raymond Bateman, was a key sponsor of the bill that created the park. “Although the bill passed unanimously, that was possible only after my father helped address the concerns of some local leaders.”

The Tour de Towpath will feature a flagship 50-mile bicycle ride to Colonial Park in Franklin Township, as well as a 20-mile cycling route to Princeton’s Turning Basin Park, a non-competitive half-marathon run/walk to Washington Crossing State Park in Hopewell and a 5k fun run/walk. A festival at the City of Trenton’s Cadwalader Park will greet participants upon their return with music, food trucks, and a community village featuring local non-profits.

All pre-registered volunteers and participants will receive an event T-shirt. To register or donate, visit the event website at TourdeTowpath.org. Registration is $50 in advance and $60 the morning of the event; volunteer registration is free.

“As New Jersey’s first linear state park, D&R Canal State Park has long been a vital link between communities throughout Central Jersey, drawing nearly a million visitors each year,” said Rebecca Fitzgerald, Administrator of the State Park Service. “Tour de Towpath is a fitting tribute to the legacy of this unique park, allowing participants to explore as much as 50 miles on the park’s beloved towpath.”

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the D&R Canal State Park with the Tour de Towpath event, we honor not only the beauty and importance of the canal but also the dedication of the community and organizations that support it,” said Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora. “I encourage everyone to join us for a day of fitness, fun, and festivities as we come together to recognize this remarkable park and its impact on our region.”

The City of Trenton, the New Jersey Division of Parks, Forests, and Historic Sites, Capital Health, and New Jersey American Water are all key sponsors of the Tour de Towpath.

“We’re thrilled to support the Tour de Towpath and help mark an important milestone for the D&R Canal State Park,” said Al Maghazehe, President and CEO of Capital Health. “Capital Health and the D&R Canal are woven into the fabric of our region, and we couldn’t be happier to be part of an event that promotes the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.”

Part of a Larger Trail System

The D&R Canal State Park provides a crucial connection to an enormous network of trails in the mid-Atlantic region, including the Circuit Trails and the East Coast Greenway, which is under development between Maine and Florida.

“The D&R Canal State Park Towpath between Trenton and New Brunswick is the longest continuous, completed segment of the East Coast Greenway in New Jersey,” said Sofia Barandiaran, New Jersey & New York Greenway Manager. “Via the East Coast Greenway, the towpath acts as the spine of a statewide active transportation network that spans major New Jersey cities, with links to Philadelphia, New York, and beyond. Building on the seed planted by the D&R Canal State Park fifty years ago, we imagine a future where New Jersey and the entire east coast are connected by networks of safe, healthy active recreation and transportation corridors.”

The post Happy Birthday to D&R Canal State Park! first appeared on TrentonDaily.