The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and Delaware Canal 21 have received a $225,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation has been awarded to the D&L to conduct a Delaware Canal Vision Study in partnership with DC 21 and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources.

The study will identify strategies to reverse the physical deterioration of the Delaware Canal in order to assure the Delaware Canal's long-term improved maintenance and financial sustainability.

The project concept was initiated by Delaware Canal 21 to consider the entire 60-mile long National Historic Landmark located within Delaware Canal State Park in Bucks and Northampton counties.

Established in 1988 by Congress, the D&L works to preserve the historic pathway that carried coal and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Philadelphia. Today, the D&L Trail, which includes the Delaware Canal Towpath, connects people to nature, culture, communities, recreation and our heritage.

D&L President, Elissa Garofalo said, "We are pleased to lend our proven track record for successfully completing projects with supporting metrics to this initiative."

The process will begin in mid-April and will seek innovative ideas in a series of public meetings over the next several months. Other key participants include the Delaware Canal State Park Advisory Committee and the Friends of the Delaware Canal.

The study will result in a report that describes what the community envisions for a sustainable Canal into the 21st century - and will address current and expected state park budget limitations, alternative funding partners and ideas to pay for improvements.

Beyond the visioning process, a feasibility study will be conducted to determine the specific costs of implementing priority projects identified and recommend how to finance projects deemed viable.

The Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, which runs along the banks of Carbon and Lehigh counties, is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization that preserves the historic pathway that carried coal and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Philadelphia. Today, the D&L Trail connects people to nature, culture, communities, recreation and our industrial heritage.