On September 30, the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Area will celebrate National Public Lands Day, a nationally celebrated event that strives to get people out into our nation’s beautiful publicly owned lands, including national and state parks.

To celebrate, the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River will be hosting a park-wide volunteer event, which will focus on maintaining the park’s treasured natural and historical resources.

The three projects for which we need volunteers to assist our rangers are cleaning up the river from Narrowsburg, NY to the Ten Mile River Access, NY; restoring the Tusten Mountain Trail near Ten Mile River access; and clearing mile-a-minute, a highly invasive weed from around the Zane Grey Museum and Lackawaxen Access, Lackawaxen, Pike County.

River clean ups are a great way to get out on the river while helping keep the Delaware River beautiful and clean. Lander’s River Trips is generously donating the equipment, including lifejackets, canoes, and paddles.

Volunteers should bring appropriate gear, such as a change of clothes, close-toed shoes, a hat, sunscreen, plenty of water, and a bagged lunch. It is important to note that volunteers should plan to get wet, and should be comfortable around moving water.

If you would like to volunteer, but would prefer to stay dry, there are two other projects to choose from.

You can join a trail restoration on the Tusten Mountain Trail, located near the Ten Mile River Access, and help staff clear and widen the trail and vista, install trail markers, and remove hazards from the hiking path. This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, enjoy scenic views, and make a difference for future hikers.

All tools and safety equipment will be provided. To help on this project, all you will need to bring is sturdy shoes, plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellant, a hat, and a bagged lunch.

Finally, you could help make a difference pulling mile-a-minute and other invasive plants around the Zane Grey Museum and Lackawaxen Access, Lackawaxen, Pike County.

Volunteers will learn to identify mile-aminute, and help staff to safely pull it in order to restore native plants. Tools and gloves will be provided to volunteers. Be sure to bring close-toed shoes, plenty of water, sunscreen, insect repellant, hat, and a bagged lunch.

National Public Lands Day at Upper Delaware will begin with registration and a reception from 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. on September 30 at the Ten Mile River Access, Crawford Road, Narrowsburg, NY.

At 9:30 a.m. we will break into our volunteer groups and move to the designated work locations. The event will finish up as each project concludes.

The Park Service relies on volunteers to achieve its goal of stewardship, and appreciates the hard work and commitment of volunteers who have helped to keep the Delaware River clean and beautiful. We look forward to seeing you at our National Public Lands Day Celebration!

For information on this volunteer event visit, the Upper Delaware National Public Lands Day Celebration webpage.

If you would like to participate in any of these projects or want more details please call Kelleen Lanagan at 570-729-7134 ext. 2230 or send an email to

kelleen_lanagan@partner.nps.gov. 

For more information about the programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the  Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River website. Don’t forget to like them on Instagram and follow them on Facebook.

[Posted: Sept. 6, 2017]

9/11/2017