Two early spring canal walks brought dozens of participants along the Delaware Canal Towpath from Bristol through Falls Township and ending in Yardley, marking the start of this year’s seasonal walking series hosted by the Friends of the Delaware Canal. Each walk was approximately six miles and offered participants a mix of local history, nature and scenic views.
The first walk of the season took place March 14, beginning at Bristol Riverfront Park and continued about six miles north to Falls Township Park in Levittown.
Led by Friends board member Jeff Connell, the walk introduced participants to the historic significance of Bristol and its connection to the canal.
“In Bristol we talk a lot about the history of the town itself and the role it played in the canal,” said Paula Hynes, assistant to the executive director of the Friends of the Delaware Canal. “It’s where the canal terminates at the Delaware River, so that’s an important point.”
Although the canal once ran directly through the borough, parts of it were later covered over as the town developed.
“Bristol is a bit unique because the canal doesn’t run all the way through town anymore,” Hynes said. “But there are blue bollards that help us show people where things were.”
As walkers continued north along the towpath toward Falls Township, they passed several locations tied to the canal’s past and the region’s development. The walk also passed areas near the Bristol Lagoon, where the canal became visible again after running underground through part of the borough.
Two weeks later on March 28, the second walk picked up where the first left off, beginning at Falls Township Park and continuing north about six miles to Black Rock Road in Lower Makefield Township.
This segment was led by Michael Ginder, executive director of the Friends of the Delaware Canal.
Like the first walk, the route followed the canal’s flat towpath terrain, which makes the path especially popular for walking and biking.
“The terrain on these canal walks is flat, which is why people enjoy walking and biking on it,” Hynes said. “You can’t get lost because it’s just one straight path.”
Throughout the walk, guides stopped periodically to share historical information about the canal and the communities that grew up along it.
“They’ll make stops along the way and talk about what used to be there,” Hynes said. “Sometimes they bring pictures showing what the area looked like in the past so people can imagine it.”
Participants had the opportunity to observe the natural environment along the canal, which changes noticeably with each season.
“In the spring you start to see early blooming plants and migrating birds,” Hynes said.
The walks are part of a newer seasonal format introduced last year that allows participants to experience the canal throughout the year rather than completing the entire route during a short window of time.
“The walks have always gone from Bristol to Easton; that’s the direction where the canal runs,” said Hynes, “But we updated the tradition so people could enjoy the towpath during different seasons.”
Originally, the organization completed the entire 58.9-mile canal walk over consecutive weekends in the late fall/early winter, often covering 10 to 12 miles at a time. Although those longer hikes appealed to some dedicated walkers, feedback from participants led organizers to redesign the program.
“Our members told us they would prefer five or six miles at a time and that they’d like to do the walks seasonally,” Hynes explained. “Asking people to set aside a whole day for a walk was a lot for some people. This way they can come out in the morning, enjoy the canal and still have the rest of the day.”
Completed in 1832, the Delaware Canal stretches 58.9 miles from Bristol to Easton. Built primarily to transport anthracite coal from northeastern Pennsylvania to Philadelphia and other markets, the canal played a significant role in the region’s early industrial development.
Boats traveling the canal were typically mule-drawn and could carry up to 100 tons of cargo. Twenty-three locks helped vessels navigate the 165-foot elevation change between Easton and Bristol.
Today the canal is part of Delaware Canal State Park and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
“There’s really nothing else like the Delaware Canal Towpath in the country,” Hynes said. “It’s the only canal that still has the potential to be fully watered over its entire length.”
Even in areas surrounded by development, stepping onto the towpath can feel like entering a different landscape.
“You might be in a place that’s fairly built up,” Hynes said, “but once you get on the towpath, you almost forget what surrounds you because it’s just this beautiful green space with this wonderful waterway going through it.”
Founded in 1982, the Friends of the Delaware Canal is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in New Hope, dedicated to preserving and promoting the historic waterway.
The organization works closely with state park officials while also coordinating volunteers and educational programs.
Among its ongoing efforts is the Canal Tenders program, which includes volunteers who regularly check sections of the towpath.
“They go out every week, pick up trash and let us know if there are any problems so we can alert park staff,” Hynes said.
The organization also helps maintain historic features along the canal corridor through restoration and preservation projects.
“A lot of what we do is cosmetic and smaller project work to keep it looking like a place people want to visit,” Hynes said. “The heavy lifting is done by the park, but we do quite a bit to help maintain it.”
The canal walk series will continue throughout the spring as participants move farther north along the towpath.
The next walk is scheduled for April 26, covering approximately 5.6 miles from Black Rock Road in Yardley to Washington Crossing Historic Park South.
On May 2, walkers will travel from Washington Crossing South to the Thompson-Neely Farmstead near Bowman’s Hill, covering about 4.4 miles.
Another walk on May 9 will take participants from Canal Park in Solebury Township to Bulls Island in Stockton, New Jersey, for a 5.8-mile trek.
Most walks begin at 9 am, though some summer walks may start earlier to avoid the heat. Participants are encouraged to bring water, dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Transportation back to starting points is arranged through carpooling.
Although the walks are free, the Friends of the Delaware Canal accept a suggested $10 donation to support preservation efforts.
The seasonal format has already begun to attract a wide range of participants, from longtime canal enthusiasts to newcomers interested in group walks.
“We get people of all ages,” Hynes said. “We still have a lot of retirees, but we’re starting to see younger people getting involved because people are looking for opportunities to walk in groups.”
Many participants return year after year, motivated in part by the challenge of completing the entire canal route. “We recognize anyone who completes all of the walks in a year,” Hynes said.
But the walks are about more than just finishing the route. “I think after the walk, people realize this is really a special place to have in your backyard,” Hynes said. “They understand it better, and they want to come back and explore more on their own.”
To register for an upcoming walk, visit fodc.org/our-annual-canal-walk-kicks-off-in-march/.
