The following scheduled programs are run by the D&R Canal State Park Naturalist, Historian and/or an affiliated friends organization. Pre-registration is required to participate in any of the listed events unless otherwise noted. To register, please call either (609) 924-5705 (main park office at Kingston), (609) 397-2949 (Bulls Island office) or the number indicated in the listing. Leave a contact name and phone number in the event of cancellation as well as the number of people planning to attend the program (please indicate number of adults and children).
July Events
Ribbon of Life ~ D & R Canal At 175: D&R Greenway Land Trust in Princeton N.J. in partnership with the D&R Canal Commission and The Delaware River Mill Society is presenting this fabulous exhibition at the Johnson Education Center located at One Preservation Place, just off Rosedale Road in Princeton.
The exhibition, celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, includes historic images selected from the archives of the D&R Canal Commission and contemporary artwork selected by the 175th Celebration Committee.
Over 50 images collected by Jim Amon, former executive director of the D&R Canal Commission, are included in the show. Mr. Amon had the foresight many years ago to establish this wonderful collection of images and many will be shown to the public for the very first time. Accompanying the exhibit is a brief history of the canal and its transformation into a recreational area, written by Mr. Amon.
Featured sections of the exhibit include Along the D&R Canal – A Postcard View, with large hand-colored images of the feeder from Raven Rock to Trenton and the main-stem from Bordentown to New Brunswick. A smaller section entitled Vessels & Voyages highlights some of the usual and unusual boats to navigate this waterway. This exhibition is open to the public in Princeton from May 18th - August 14th at the D&R Greenway’s Johnson Education Center located just off Rosedale Road, at One Preservation Place. Please call 609-924-4646, Monday – Friday, 10am - 4 m for gallery hours and further information. This exhibition will also travel to Stockton, where it will be on view from August 30 – September 30, 2009 at the Prallsville Mills. Please contact the Delaware River Mill Society at 609-397-3586 for hours of display and further information.
July 11
Stream Stomp
Join the D&R Canal State Park naturalist for a Saturday afternoon introductory program that will explore the fascinating world of water critters. Stephanie Fox will explain how water life can be indicators of water quality. It will be a cool way to spend a hot summer day! Be prepared to spend a few hours in the heat and sun. This activity is appropriate for ages 4 and up.Participants are asked to meet at the Kingston Canal House, located directly off Rt. 27 (Main Street), in Kingston. This program will begin at 1:00 pm. This program is co-sponsored by Kingston Greenway Association. Pre-registration IS REQUESTED. Weather permitting.
Members' Collection on Display at the Blackwells Mills Canal House
If you haven’t had a chance to visit the garden and see the inside of the historic canal house, here’s your opportunity. Members of the Blackwells Mills Canal House Association will be featuring arts and crafts; hand carved decoys of shore birds and ducks; advertising stoneware, jugs and crocks from New Brunswick; Kewpie Dolls; reverse painting on glass; original art; miniature china shoes; silhouettes; and demonstrations at the house. This event will be held at the Blackwells Mills Canal House located on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in Franklin Township between 1:00 - 4:00 pm.Registration is NOT required and admission is FREE!
July 17
Family Night Hike at the Bulls Island Natural Area
Looking for a new adventure for your family to enjoy together? Join the park naturalist, Stephanie Fox, at Bull's Island(located approximately 7 miles north of Lambertville directly off Rt. 29 in Hunterdon County) on a one mile hike along the Natural Area Trail. This trail offers views of enormous Tulip Trees, Ostrich Ferns and is home to many of NJ's wildlife creatures. This short one-mile walk will introduce to the sounds and sights of dusk including the melodious sounds of toads and the birds calling their good night sounds. Families with children of all ages are welcome to join the group.Participants are asked to meet at 7 pm at the Bulls Island Visitor's Center.REGISTRATION IS REQUESTED. Weather permitting.
July 18
History Walk ~ From Nursery to Canal
Enjoy a round-trip walk with the D & R's historian leading from the main office at Kingston to the canal towpath and the Kingston Canal House. Participants will meet at the Kingston office located at 145 Mapleton Road at 10:00 am for a leisurely 2-mile round trip walk. The group will proceed from the headquarters through a portion of the Mapleton Preserve (the former Princeton Nursery site) towards the canal towpath and the Kingston Canal House before turning back. Come enjoy a summer morning outdoors while burning a few calories and learning a bit about the historic resources of the D & R Canal State Park! Pre-registration IS REQUIRED. Weather permitting.
July 20 - 24
CAMP CRITTERS! NEW THIS SUMMER! The State Park naturalist will be offering a MINI SUMMER CAMP for our mini-nature explorers. Children ages 4 to 6 along with their parents are invited to Bulls Island(located approximately 7 miles north of Lambertville directly off Rt. 29 in Hunterdon County) to learn about the mystery and wonders of all of NJ's wildlife. Each day a different group of animals will be highlighted with hands-on activities, story times and crafts. Camp hours will be from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. There is NO FEE for this program, but there is LIMITED AVAILABILITY. Please call early to reserve your spot. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
July 23
Dine Out for the Canal This fundraiser arranged by the D & R Canal Watch in celebration of the canal's 175th anniversary, enables participants to show their support for the park while enjoying a meal out. On two Tuesday and two Thursday evenings this summer 12 generous restaurants located in communities along the canal will donate 15% of the cost of your meals to directly benefit the park. So print out the dinner IDs (coupons) below and go out to enjoy a meal on JULY 23. All you have to do is print out the flyer and IDs, grab your favorite person or a group of friends, and go for a pleasant meal out! There are a number of choices, in all price ranges and cuisines. All of the participating restaurants have websites so you can study menus before you go. And, all are along the canal, most within sight of it. LIST OF PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS & DINNER IDS(coupons). NOTE:Restaurants WILL NOT PARTICIPATE without the ID so make sure to present it
BEFORE ORDERING!
July 25
Bike the Path to Griggstown
Enjoy a morning bike ride along the historic towpath with the park’s summer seasonal. Your tour leader will guide the group on an 8 1/2 mile ride and explain canal structures and the waterway’s history along the way. Interested participants are asked to bring their own bicycle, helmet and water and meet at the Blackwells Mills Causeway (where Canal Road and Blackwells Mills Road meet in Somerset, Franklin Township)at 10:00 am.This program is NOT recommended for young children 8 and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult and equipped with a helmet. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. This program is FREE and subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.
July 31
Kayak the Feeder Canal
The park naturalist will be leading a kayaking tour starting at the Bulls Island canoe launch(located 7 miles north of Lambertville directly off Route 29 in Hunterdon County) so mark your calendars and plan to join her for a scenic summer paddle along the historic waterway. The park has a limited number of kayaks available for this program, but there is a kayak concession at the site for those in need of renting a boat. This kayak trip will be along the calm waters of the historic feeder where aquatic wildlife thrives. Please join us at 1:00 pm to enjoy the experience of a leisurely paddle along the waters of one of New Jersey’s hidden treasure. Participants are required to wear PFD's and some kayaking experience is required. Participants must be 13 year of age or older.SPACE IS LIMITED so please make sure to call early to reserve your spot. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. This program is FREE and subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.
August Events
August 1
Walk the Path in Lawrence Township
Enjoy a morning walk along the canal with the D & R's Historian and visit two historic homes along the way - The Port Mercer Canal House and the 18th Century Brearley House. The group will meet at the Port Mercer Canal House in Lawrence Township (4278 Quaker Road ~ Behind the Mercer Mall) at 9:30 a.m. for a brief talk about the history of the D&R Canal. The group will then walk along the historic towpath to the Lawrence Historical Society's Brearley House where the we will be treated to a tour of this restored 18th century home by the Society's docents. Come join us for this 2.5 mile round trip walk back in time. Pre-registration IS required. Weather permitting.
Bike the Path to Lambertville
Enjoy a morning bike ride along the Feeder Canal with the D & R's summer seasonal, Margaret Charleroy. Bring your own bicycle and meet at the Bull's Island Recreation Area (off Route 29 in Hunterdon County) at 10:00 am. Be prepared for a 15 mile loop that will pass through the historic towns of Stockton and Lambertville. Come enjoy the park, burn a few calories and learn a bit about the D&R! This program is NOT recommended for young children 8 and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult and equipped with a helmet. Pre-registration IS REQUIRED. Weather permitting.
August 7
Night Flyers
Learn about the wildlife that awakens after dark. The naturalist of D&R will be discussing the adaptations and habits of the bats and owls of New Jersey and their importance to our ecosystem. Participants will get a chance to look through owl pellets, listen to the many varied sounds of owls and debunk the many rumors of bats. The program is suitable for all ages.This Friday evening program will be held at Bulls Island Recreational Area and begins at 6:30 pm.Pre-registration IS REQUIRED.
August 8
Bluegrass Music & Ice Cream at the Blackwells Mills Canal House
Bring your children and plan to spend a few hours on a Saturday afternoon at the historic canal house on the corner of Blackwells Mills and Canal Road in Franklin Township for a summer ice cream social. Watch canoes and kayaks sail by on the D & R Canal as you relax with friends, listen to the lively sounds of the Six Mile Run Bluegrass Band and enjoy a frosty homemade treat from Confectionately Yours. This event will be held at the Blackwells Mills Canal House between 2:00 - 4:00 pm.Registration is NOT required and admission is FREE!
August 22
Kayak the Feeder Canal
The park naturalist will be leading a kayaking tour starting at the Griggstown Day Use area(located at the corner of Canal Road and the Griggstown Causeway in Franklin Township, Somerset County) so mark your calendars and plan to join her for a scenic summer paddle along the historic waterway. The park has a limited number of kayaks available for this program, but there is a kayak concession at the site for those in need of renting a boat. This kayak trip will be along the calm waters of the historic D & R Canal where aquatic wildlife thrives. Please join us at 1:00 pm to enjoy the experience of a leisurely paddle along the waters of one of New Jersey’s hidden treasure. Participants are required to wear PFD's and some kayaking experience is required. Participants must be 13 year of age or older.SPACE IS LIMITED so please make sure to call early to reserve your spot. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. This program is FREE and subject to cancellation in the event of inclement weather.
August 30
Bike the Feeder to the Prallsville Mill Family Fun Picnic
Enjoy a late morning bike ride along the historic towpath with canal expert Bob Barth. Bob will lead this 15-mile ride along the feeder canal and explain canal structures and history along the way. Interested participants will gather at the Bulls Island canoe launch parking lot at 11:00 am(located approximately 7 miles north of Lambertville directly off Route 29 in Hunterdon County) and bike south three miles to the Prallsville Mill Complex where the group will break to enjoy the Delaware River Mill Society’s family picnic celebration. Afterwards the group will proceed south into the historic town of Lambertville before heading back to Bulls Island. Participants must bring their own bike, helmet, water and lunch. Those who would prefer a shorter ride are invited to enjoy the picnic and then head back to Bulls Island on their own. This FREE ride is sponsored by the D&R Canal Watch. To register and/or receive further information please contact Bob Barth at 201-401-3121.
(coupons). 
