Numerous state officials yesterday visited the Lehigh Canal in Weissport, and praised the historic waterway for its recreational and touristic importance. They also attended to present a significant state grant for making additional improvements along the canal, which is part of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

The grant, in the amount of $208,200, will be used for the "connectivity project" of the local trail, according to Elissa Garafalo, executive director of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.The grant presentation was made by state Rep. Doyle Heffley. Also attending were state Senators John Yudichak and David Argall, and Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein and Tom J. Gerhard.While the state officials expressed how proud they are to help tourism in Carbon County with the grant presentation, Garafalo expressed resignation that this could possibly be the last such grant obtained because of state funding cuts.Heffley said regarding the existing grant availability, "This news comes at a good time for Carbon County tourism because estimates suggest that every dollar in state tourism promotion funding has a return on investment of at least $25 in state and local tax revenues derived from tourism-related spending."He said the grant for the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor comes from the Keystone Fund, which is generated from a portion of the realty transfer tax, the Environmental Stewardship Fund, the ATV/Snowmobile Fund, and federal money.He praised Garafalo for her work on the canal trail.Garafalo said the grant came because of the Pennsylvania Turnpike bridge construction project. She explained that the bridge project went over the Lehigh Canal and a stipulation was that a connection of the trail be constructed. The value of this work was listed at $208,200, which made for a matching grant of state funds.The project scope with the funding, she said, includes:• Lehigh Canal Park in Weissport to Lehighton "Share the road" and D&L Trail directional signage.• Bridge Street, Lehighton to D&L Trail ADA access and construction of a trail from Bridge Street behind Castle Grill.• Route 895 crossing and ADA access connection of the recently completed Lehighton section of the D&L Trail and the PennDOT approved crossing of Route 895.• Route 895 to East Penn Boat Launch D&L Trail Connection construction of 0.8 miles of delineated trail from the Route 895 pedestrian crossing to the East Penn boat launch.In conjunction with the potential of losing future state funding, Garafalo said the Carbon County Partners for Progress have made a $2,500 donation to the D&L Corridor and have opened the door for other organizations and groups to contribute.She stressed that the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor is no longer a government body, but is a nonprofit entity.Garafalo pointed out how heavily the local portion of the canal is used by local residents, as well as out-of-the-area visitors.Yudichak termed the Heritage Corridor "an asset for Carbon County."He said he thinks about "intangible qualities" the canal offers; among them being how families can be together to enjoy the recreational, educational, and cultural aspects.The grant, he said, is "an investment in heritage towns, as we continue to make progress in making Carbon County a better place to live."Argall remarked how he, his wife, and pet dog enjoy walking along the towpath of the canal.He said in the Senate, community, economic, and recreational development are part of the same committee."Elissa Garafalo taught me how these components work together," he remarked.Argall recalled attending a previous dedication program for a portion of the Heritage Trail, and seeing people walking their dogs, walking without dogs, and riding their bicycles on the trail."I was surprised at how many people were using that trail," he said.Gerhard also gave brief remarks.Among the individuals in attendance was John Cool of Allentown. Cool has a prosthetic leg as a result of a motorcycle accident. He rode his bicycle from Slatington to the Weissport gathering, most of the way along the Lehigh River and Lehigh Canal."I come up here all the time," he said. "I come here at least three or four times a week. I love this place."