Reinvigorating Interest in Recreation Along the Delaware River

by KYW's Lauren Lipton

When you think of area fun, it's not usually, "Let's go down to the Delaware River!" 

Well, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, which works to get people out and using the state's natural resources, is trying to change that.

"We decided that here in southeastern Pennsylvania, a terrific resource that we don't use very much is the Delaware River."

PEC senior vice president Patrick Starr says it was hard for people to know how to use it:

"We knew there were lots of great places to visit along the river, but we didn't know where all the access points were, and we wanted to make it easy for people to find all those points.  And we wanted to make it easy for users to connect with each other as well."

So they're putting together new maps and a special web site which should be ready soon.

(Starr:)  "It's like you can say, 'I feel like going for a paddle today,' so there's the information.  You can find out where to go.  Just go to the web site and you can access that information.  For example, you can be paddling in a kayak, paddle  ashore at Pennsbury Manor, which is in Bucks County, home of William Penn."

And the maps and the web site are part of a bigger effort:

"We want people who live in our region to become champions of the river.  And I don't mean just walk down and look at the river.  I want to see them to use the river."

The web link is tidaltrail.org.  Give it a peek, but come back once the major upgrade is completed -- it'll be a lot more attractive and interactive.
  
That's Positively Philadelphia!