Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti Tuesday announced the department is proceeding with plans to construct a new park office and visitor center for Delaware Canal State Park in the Borough of New Hope, Bucks County.

The location marks the approximate midway point of the 58.9-mile Delaware Canal and will serve to enhance the blend of natural, cultural and historic resources unique to this area of the county.

This project is part of Enhance Penn’s Woods – a two-year, more than $200-million effort launched by Gov. Tom Corbett to repair and improve Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.

“This is not only an improvement to Delaware Canal State Park but it will enhance tourism in New Hope by attracting visitors during off-peak times by adding an opportunity for visitors to learn and explore the Delaware Canal, a designated National Historic Landmark,” Ferretti said. “The location also will benefit the park by increasing its visibility and helping to develop new supporters and partnerships that could benefit the park long term.”

The park office and visitor center will be situated on commonwealth land adjacent to Lock 11 and the Lock Tender’s House, which is operated by the Friends of Delaware Canal.

Preliminary plans for the new facility contain a new barge concession ticketing area; gift shop; interpretive exhibit area; multi-media area; education center; and administrative space.

“Educators from the park currently have no covered shelter to host groups; this limits our programming options. With this new facility the state park interpretive and education program will be enhanced significantly,” said Delaware Canal State Park Manager Rick Dalton. “DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks is looking forward to pursuing new programming and partnership opportunities at the new location.”

With a location chosen, DCNR will now work with the Department of General Services to complete a design and prepare a time frame for construction of the new center. Costs will be known after the project is released for a competitive bid.

For more information, visit DCNR’s Enhance Penn’s Woods or State Park webpages.

6/16/2014