Central New Jersey Does Exist!
July 6, 2023
It's official, Central New Jersey is “a thing!” At the end of June the New Jersey legislature (both the Assembly and Senate) signed legislation (S3206/A4711 - still to be approved by the Governor) recognizing the region and defining it as being “comprised, at a minimum of the counties of Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, and Somerset.”
In celebration of this state recognition, Old York Cellars has partnered with Discover Central New Jersey to create a line of wines aptly named “Central Jersey Exists.” How does this connect to the D&R Canal State Park? In support of the park, which runs through all the identified central NJ counties, Old York Cellars has pledged to donate $2 for each bottle sold to two of our partner organizations; the D&R Canal Watch and the Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition/Millstone Valley Scenic Byway. Both not only support the Park but are are actively engaged in resource preservation and the promotion of heritage tourism in Central New Jersey.
So head over to Old York Cellars in Ringoes to purchase a bottle or two and raise a glass to Central New Jersey! This is also a fantastic way for you to help support both our affiliated organizations AND the Park! Thank you Discover Central New Jersey and Old York Cellars. Salute!
ORDER ONLINE: Old York Cellars - "Central Jersey Exists"
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Find Old York Wines At These Locations
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"Central Jersey Exists" Wines to Celebrate New Legislation to Put Central Jersey on State Tourism Map
Old York Cellars Launches "Central Jersey Exists" Series of Wines
A New Roof & Door for the Kingston Toll House
June 30, 2023
The park is happy to report on the completion of another much needed building improvement. With funding from from the
Canal Society of New Jersey and in partnership with the Kingston Historical Society, the historic toll house in Kingston has received new roofing and a new entrance door. Both were much needed and will help to maintain the structure until additional restoration work can be done. We are particularly pleased to see a more historically accurate, period appropriate plank door restored to the structure.
The park again extends its thanks and gratitude to Canal Society of NJ, the Kingston Historical Society and especially to Chris Riley whose expertise, workmanship and cooperation resulted in a fantastic finished product. We are beyond pleased and hope to see additional improvement to this significant piece of D&R history. This toll house/bridge tender’s station is one of five surviving such stations along the corridor.
We never tire of saying that it is partly with the help and support of our partner organizations that much needed projects such as this can be addressed. We are grateful for their willingness to help fund such projects and for their commitment to support the park’s mission of resource stewardship. Our partners are always looking to recruit new members so if you have a passion for the D&R Canal, local history or any of the natural resources and trails managed by the park then by all means consider becoming an active volunteer with one of our many affiliated groups. Get off the bench, get involved and become a D&R Canal State Park stewardship champion! New members and volunteers are ALWAYS needed and welcome!
The D&R Canal State Park Welcomes New Park Superintendent
May 17, 2023
As of April 1st, Lauren Rojewski has joined the D&R Canal State Park staff as Superintendent, taking over following the outgoing transfer of Superintendent Kallesser. Lauren joined the NJDEP State Park Service in August of 2021 as Superintendent for Spruce Run Recreation Area, Voorhees State Park, and Hacklebarney State Park. Here she gained valuable experience in the areas of Parks management, program operation, and partner group coordination; skills which she will continue to grow at D&R Canal State Park.
Lauren Rojewski joined the State Park Service after spending over 7 years in the environmental consulting industry managing a wide-range of remediation/property assessment projects through NJ, NY, PA, and DE. Her background includes a B.S. in Natural Resources Management with a minor in Wildlife Biology from Clemson University, as well as seasonal work at Cheesequake State Park. Lauren’s career aspirations have always been to work more closely with natural resource systems and to be a part of the civil service community, and is excited meet those goals as part of the Park Service here in New Jersey.
The staff is happy to welcome Lauren to the D&R team and look forward to working with her. Together we will continue our stewardship mission to protect, preserve and interpret the historic and natural resources under the management of the park . We know she will carry on and build upon the dedicated work of previous Superintendents here at D&R. Good luck Lauren and once again WELCOME!!
New Interpretive Waysides at the Bordentown Outlet Lock
May 20, 2023
Park visitors who explore the trail at Bordentown will notice two new interpretive waysides at the outlet lock area. The park has the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission to thank for this welcome addition to the park. These waysides provide information about the surviving untouched lift lock located at this entrance point along the former transportation corridor and the small but thriving community that was located here.
The signs were created by Hunter Research in consultation with our park historian. We thank not only the Commission for negotiating for this mitigation project with Jeffery Haberman of Dynamic Engineering Consultants but also the staff at Hunter Research including Patrick Harshbarger who assisted with the content, layout and design as well as Micheal Brown who handled the installation.
If you haven’t visited this area of the park consider a day trip to the historic town of Bordentown. After some sightseeing and perhaps a meal, take a walk over the NJ Transit River Line pedestrian bridge which crosses the Crosswicks Creek to access this section of the D&R Canal State Park for a walk along the towpath!
Click for the location of the Bordentown Outlet Lock
Click for more about the Delaware & Raritan Canal Commission
Click for more about Hunter Research
The Millstone Valley Scenic Byway Visitor Center To Open For 2023 Season
APRIL 1, 2023
The Millstone Valley Preservation Coalition, sponsor of the Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway, and the D&R Canal State Park are happy to announce the 2023 re-opening of the Byway Visitor Center in Griggstown on Saturday April 15. Doors will be open every Saturday and Sunday thereafter until the last weekend in October. Visitors can stop by between 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to speak with our docents and learn about the canal and byway. The Visitor Center is located in the original Griggstown bridge tender’s house where its kitchen is interpreted and furnished for the period 1840-1860. Outside a lovely garden contains period medicinal plantings and favorite table vegetables. The Visitor Center also distributes maps, brochures, and pamphlets of trails, historical sites, and recreational opportunities around and about the Byway. Do make sure to stop by when visiting the Griggstown area to learn about the Millstone Valley and everything it has to offer and experience. Our volunteers look forward to seeing you!
The Byway is a 27-mile loop predominantly along the D&R Canal from East Millstone to Kingston and along the Millstone River from Kingston to Rocky Hill and into Millstone Borough. Please visit us and find us on the web: www.millstonevalley.org.
