Delaware & Raritan Canal Conference: Highlights & Recommendations

1. Delaware & Raritan Canal Conference: Highlights & Recommendations Dr. Martin A. Bierbaum, Director The Municipal Land Use Center @ The College of New Jersey McCauley House Ewing, New Jersey, 08628

2. Conference Planning • Preliminary Meetings (August 2004 –November 2004) • Meet D&R Canal Commission Director & Staff • Assess Feasibility • Identify Stakeholders/Partners • Contact Mayors Douglas Palmer, Pamela Mount, Phyllis Marchand • Contact Linda & Bob Barth • Conceptual Planning Meetings(December 2004 – January 2005) • Contact N.J. Historical Commission – Dr. Howard Green, Dr. Richard Hunter • Contact former Senator Ray Bateman • Contact Mr. Thomas X. Grasso, President, Canal Society of N.Y.; President, Inland Waterways International. • Identify & Agree on Workshops– Regional Planning Models, Natural Resource Protection, Healthy & Active Living, Eco-tourism, Trenton Redevelopment, Local Experiences. • Logistical Planning Meetings (February 2005-May 2005) • Execute Conference Plans (June 1, 2005)

3. The Sessions • Morning Sessions– • History of the D&R Canal— • The Establishment of the D&R Canal State Park • The History of the D&R Canal • Luncheon Guest – • Mr. Ernie Hahn, Director D&R Canal Commission • “A Status Report” • Afternoon Sessions– • 6 Workshops devoted to the Canal’s Present & Future Promise • Evening – • Celebration • Speakers (2) • Music • Food

4. Workshop Findings • Regional Framework • Healthy & Active Living • Natural Resource Protection • Eco-Tourism • Neighbors & Local Experiences • Rediscovering Trenton

5. Regional Framework • Drew Comparisons among the D&R Canal, New Jersey Meadowlands and New Jersey Pinelands-- • a) Similarities: • Partnerships are important, e.g., University partnerships, partnerships with school systems. • Science-based facts are important to drive policies. • Ongoing Monitoring & Evaluation are essential. • All engage in balancing economic development and natural resource protection. • b) Major difference: • The disparity in funding and staff resources available to the three entities is obvious.

6. Healthy & Active Living • Presented data to make connections between Lifestyle & Public Health Issues. • Employed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as D&R Canal planning tool. • Identified real & potential D&R Canal Recreational Opportunities. • Improve D&R Canal access at appropriate locations. • Increase signage. • Provide ancillary activities and facilities at appropriate locations, e.g., kiosks, rest rooms, compatible retail. • Partner with adjacent and neighboring school systems.

7. Natural Resource Protection • Recognize D&R Canal as an important Water Supply Resource for Central Jersey. • Protect D&R Canal from non-point source pollution. • Develop a D&R Canal-related water quality data base, with a baseline and performance targets. • Employ a Strategic Approach in acquiring land in proximity to the Canal. • Consider a water quality tax to raise D&R Canal-related revenues. • Improve public communications to raise public awareness of the importance of the D&R Canal as a valuable natural and cultural resource.

8. Eco-Tourism • Ways to make the D&R Canal more attractive for Eco-Tourism: • Devise & Implement D&R Canal Eco-Tourism Strategic Plan. • Form a Mayors’ Council and State Legislative Caucus to assist in devising & implementing that plan. • Market the D&R Canal, e.g., festivals, rallies. • Devise and distribute materials that tell the story of the D&R Canal in accurate & effective ways. • Locate & advertise canoe/kayak liveries along the Canal, while also exploring the feasibility of other boat types on the D&R Canal. • Install boat ramps at portages to create a canoe/kayak trail. • Publicize bridges & their elevations on the D&R Canal website. • Install swing bridges, upgrade locks. • Renovate D&R Canal-related buildings and celebrate the completions of those renovations. • Employ a staff person charged with Eco-tourism/ Economic & Sustainable Development responsibilities. • Consider a “flush tax” to help fund these initiatives.

9. Neighbors & Local Experiences • Means to encourage local beneficial uses of the D&R Canal & improve neighbor relationships: • Engage the public through Educational Campaigns, Partnerships with School Systems and Planned Tours. • Add Rest Room Facilities. • Increase Security at appropriate locations. • Address Traffic Congestion, Traffic Calming Issues & Parking issues. • Pursue & Secure Corporate Sponsorships. • Make the City of Trenton a priority.

10. Rediscovering Trenton • Urban Design Studio • Explored Reasons for D&R Canal’s Underutilization throughout the City of Trenton • Discussed ways that D&R Canal might be used to “anchor” redevelopment in the City of Trenton • Identified Four Potential Redevelopment Sites & devised redevelopment conceptual designs: • Village Charter School • Hermitage Avenue • East Section of Trenton • Perry Street near the State parking lot

11. Evening Celebration • Hon. Gregg Rackin, Mayor, Stockton Borough – Host • Former NJDEP Commissioner Jerry English, Esq. –“On The D&R Canal Commission’s Early Days” • Dean James W. Hughes, Edward J. Bloustein School for Planning & Public Policy, Rutgers University –“On the growing importance of the D&R Canal as a valuable resource during Central Jersey’s growth during the Post WW II Period”

12. D&R Canal Conference De-brief July 12, 2005 • Continue subsequent D&R Canal Conferences on a regular basis. • Focus attention on the need for stronger commitment by the State of New Jersey, especially the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), to the D&R Canal. • Recommend increased funding, while highlighting the disparity in resources among the three State regional planning entities. • Spotlight the need for additional D&R Canal Staff, e.g., economic development, land acquisition, public education and City of Trenton Community/Canal organizer. • Convene a D&R Canal Mayors’ Forum. • Convene a D&R Canal Legislative Caucus. • Underline the importance of a Strategic Plan that includes effective strategies, policies, programs and projects for specific D&R Canal segments including projects for particular municipalities. • Place special priority on the D&R Canal segment in Trenton, concentrating on ways that the D&R Canal might anchor neighborhood redevelopment.

13. D&R Canal Conference De-brief (Continued) July 12, 2005 • Devise and implement a D&R Canal Interpretive Signage Program that includes cultural, historical and water quality features. • Consider the use of boats on the D&R Canal, along with the improvement of repairs and upgrades to locks and the establishment of liveries in appropriate locations. • Establish in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJ DCA) a D&R Canal training session/course for municipal Construction Code Officials. • Employ GIS to educate school children and the public about the D&R Canal. • Install water monitoring stations at appropriate locations and build a water quality data base with baseline, goals and targets. • While acknowledging that communications and coordination are good among the Canal Commission, the New Jersey Water Supply Authority and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection – Division of Parks & Forestry, improved communication and coordination are always possible.

14. Special Thanksfor Sponsoring the Conference -- • Clarke, Caton, Hintz – Planning Consultants • Delaware & Raritan Greenway Land Trust • Ethicon, Inc. A Johnson & Johnson Company • New Jersey Water Supply Authority • Princeton Forrestal Center • Princeton University • The College of New Jersey • Trenton Country Club • View photos of the day's festivities

15. Swimming at the Griggstown Bridge over the canal. c. 1900Courtesy of the Griggstown Historical Society