February 6, 2008

In regards to the proposed C&D recreation trail, I would like to voice my concerns on why this is a very bad proposal.

1. First and foremost the C&D canal is a very dangerous body of water with its rocky banks, depth and extremely strong currents. My concern is what happens when some unattended child is playing on the dangerous rocks, falls into the canal, is swept away and drowns. The parent will naturally sue the state because there should have been fencing for the entire sixteen miles along the water. Delaware doesn't need anymore law suits!

2. We now have a great walking park in Glasgow. We have Ironhill. We have Lums Pond (2 areas) for walking or biking and many people like me and my wife walk daily in our neighborhood. How many walking areas do we taxpayers have to maintain in this area?

3. That brings up another important point of maintaining another park. Our property and school taxes keep going up yearly so why do we want to be burdened with more state expense. Who is going to pay for patrolling this large area? Who is going to pay for maintaining, cleaning and repairing the bathrooms? Who is going to pay for cleaning up all of the trash that is thrown along the trails? Who is going to pay for maintaining all of these trails and parking lots? It is not just the initial expense of building the area but maintenance for years to come. Being retired I don't need to fork out more tax money for another park in this area. None of the existing parks are overcrowded so why not improve and better maintain the existing recreation areas. Better yet, use this money to buy books, school supplies, improve and repair the roads and bridges in the area.

February 4, 2008

What a fantastic plan...
We are in need of more walking/recreational areas in New Castle. Note the crowded parking lot at the county park in Glasgow.
I have often ridden my bike along the south side of the canal because there are no interruptions (inlets or marinas), but would love to not have to cross a bridge and have problems finding a place to park.
Thanks for asking our input. Hopefully others will respond.

February 3, 2008

I saw in The (Wilmington, Delaware) News-Journal that you were soliciting comments about the proposed recreational trail along the banks of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.

As a horse owner I would like to add my encouragement that equestrians be fully considered in the design of the trail. Many of my friends and I ride along the canal now and making it safer (as in not as isolated) for us would be just great!
Some sort of separation between any trail for motorized vehicles and one used by horses and hikers would make things a lot safer for us than they are now.

Having a trail with no harsh stones to ride on would be a plus. As is your plan to provide rest stops (Port-A-Potties).

The really great thing about the C&D canal for horseback riding is, for some reason, there are very few flies there in summer.

Thank you for taking time to read my comments.

February 3, 2008

I read an article in Midstate Living this week requesting input on the recreation trail at the C&D Canal. I have to tell you that our family is all for it. My husband and I took a bicycle trip with the baby in a trailer down the south side of the canal in the fall and it was beautiful. What made it even better was that the gates to your offices at the Army Corps of Engineers were open (open on weekdays as long as it’s not a federal holiday)… that made for easy access to Chesapeake City. We were able to park the bikes and walk around, have some fresh baked muffins and then peddle home. What a great adventure! Please put my name down in support of this project and feel free to contact me.

January 31, 2008

I read you article in the News Journal today regarding the proposed C&D recreation trail. We have just moved to Delaware this past August. It is beautiful here. We have moved from Ohio where our town recently built a hike and bike trail. This trail is a wonderful place to bring your family. When we discovered the beautiful C & D Canal, which we cross quite frequently, we noticed that it wasn't being utilized to its full potential. We are glad to hear about the steps that are moving this project forward. You can check out the web site in Ohio at Millcreek Metroparks.com/biketrail to get more details. Hope this was helpful to you.
Good Luck with this project.

January 31, 2008

As a longtime resident of New Castle County, and a non-fisherman, I would like to offer my comments on the proposed development of the C&D Canal Recreation Area.

First, the excavation of the canal left large fossil deposits on top of the spoil piles. These fossils date to the Permian and other periods, and were easily collected on the exposed soil piles in the 1960's Most of this is now covered with vegetation. It would a benefit to identify a 10 or 20 area area as a "Fossil Field", clear it of vegetation, plow and disc it once annually, and post interpretive signage for hunting the fossils. Once established, the activity would be a very passive, low cost use. One area which still has some exposed beds is located just to the east of the St. George's Bridge entrance.

Second, a visitors center/aide station should be established at a central point, recommended at the entrance under St. George's Bridge, so visitors have a place for information and assistance.

Third, a dedicated picnic site should be arranged (perhaps next to the visitors center), with 4-6 covered pavalions, picnic tables, and permanent fire barbeque grills, all arranged facing the canal for those of us who would use the area to bring a dog out, enjoy the views, and cook a burger.

January 31, 2008

I think that the trail along the c&d canal, even though it would be nice looking. I think that our tax money could be used in a better way. The trail would not be safe for women or seniors to use, as it would be used for drugs, and crime would increase. My vote is no for the trail.

January 31, 2008

While the proposal for this recreational trail along the C & D canal will probably be quite beautiful, I do not think the costs involved can be justified. Unless it is patrolled by the police, I'm afraid that females and senior citizens will be unable to use it. I'm afraid it will become nothing more than a "white elephant": a drug trail, a sex trail and a crime trail. My vote if NO to this proposal.

January 31, 2008

I am a resident of Colton Meadow in St. Georges, my house backs up to the canal only separated by St. Georges Road. I am not your normal NIMBY, I would like to be on any steering commitees that you may form for this project. If I am involved I am part of the solution.

As a resident and outdoors person my only real concern is light pollution. I bought the first house in this neighborhood and have enjoyed the area since then, I take my son for walks along the canal and have fished from the piers. I have concerns about any additional lighting than what is already installed, viewing the night sky from my backyard is still possible, which is quite a feat with all of the development in the area.

Please let me know how I can help. Also if you could refer me to a link that I could view the plans or where I can go to get a copy I would be very appreciative.

January 21, 2008

I was so sorry to have missed your Public Open House held in Maryland recently. After visiting your website, I have to tell you how impressed I am at all of your work, the considerations you have taken into account, and your studies relating to seemingly all the aspects of the Trail and its effects on the surroundings and public in general.

The multi-uses you describe for the trail sound well thought out. (I hope that there will be plenty of "Dogs must be on leashes" signs - a minor item in the final tie-up of things.) We are all anxious to see this take effect and look forward to its beginnings.

Thank you for your willingness to display and ask for input.

January 16, 2008

We are very concerned about your plans to construct sanitary facility restrooms on the north side of Chesapeake City along the C&D Canal adjacent to the bridge. For instance, residents along Bank Street and some of Boat Yard Road all have entrances, porches and decks facing the canal which will now face restrooms not more than 20 feet away. Originally, we thought the Greenway project was designed to end at Lock Street. We are certain that there are other site opportunities along the C&D trail that could be utilized in constructing these restrooms where the topography is banked and steep not causing any obstruction to the area residents.

June 26, 2006

LESS BLACKTOP, MORE NATURE… Why in the world must we spend money to make an already accessible area more so and bring the city into the country. Let's stop BLACKTOPPING the world and get back to nature. You'd be surprised how a little bit of mud and dirt puts a smile on the face of a child and those who yearn to be! Stop the nonsense. Spend federal taxpayer dollars to improve the ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE and GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS of the USA. Feed the hungry and poor. Redevelop the decaying CITIES OF AMERICA. Continue to EDUCATE OUR YOUTH.

We don't need KIOSKS, PAVED TRAILS and MORE BALONEY in Delaware. I'm a resident on Cheasapeake City Road (IN DELAWARE) whose land values would probably be affected positively by all the hub a dub and development along the CANAL. I'm also a horse owner and hunter. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE leave the C&D Canal alone!

Thanks for listening!

February 27, 2006

Delaware definitely needs public ATV and dirt bike trails! I know MANY people who would gladly pay $20 a day to ride the many established trails on the C and D canal. I have been riding there for over 30 years. I think that with in the 9,000 acres Delaware and Maryland should be able to come up with a trail system for ATV’s and Dirt bikes. I know and have been riding at the Blue Diamond Park. But that facility is mainly for motocross races, there are know trails at this facility.

I would imagine that a ATV trail system at the canal would bring in thousands of dollars a day………………

Decmber 20, 2005

C&D canal area would be improved with management

A recent News Journal article implied that the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal area is a wildlife paradise that will be destroyed by proposed park facilities. From my observations riding the canal road and trails, I would say nothing could be further from the truth.

There is wildlife but it must live amid discarded trash. I'm not talking about an occasional candy bar wrapper or cigarette butt, but mounds of household and industrial trash, discarded appliances and other debris. There are no bathroom facilities, so people relieve themselves wherever they can.

Users have blazed trails throughout the area without regard to the consequences. Motorized vehicles turn them into quagmires with ruts so deep they to swallow my mountain bike wheels. Other trails run straight down steep slopes, causing erosion. It must be fun to run the dirt trails after a rainstorm with a four-wheel drive vehicle, but it destroys the road.

People are using the area as a year-round firing range and unregulated hunting area. Every time I ride by, I hear shots and sustained firing. This puts everyone using the area at risk.

At the meeting held at the Gunning Bedford School, I spoke to law enforcement officials who told me that the canal area has been the site of drug dealings, rape and murder. I see men there drinking out of bottles while sitting in their pickups. I felt uncomfortable riding by them. I can only imagine what a woman would feel.

The proposed park facilities will bring law and order with minimal negative impact to the environment. All the proposed road improvements are on existing roads and limited to the area immediately next to the canal itself. Rest rooms and parking lots will be along existing paved roads or in St. Georges, Chesapeake City and eventually Delaware City.

Nor will increased usage necessarily mean greater damage to the area. Motorized vehicles will be prohibited from the roads, making the area less attractive for outlaw drivers. Park rangers will patrol the area, discouraging crime.

Given that the population outside of the canal area will rapidly expand over the next decade, proper park management is required. Together with volunteer groups like the Trailspinners, which has done an excellent job of maintaining trails and educating mountain bikers in the White Clay Preserve, this area can heal to a more natural state with the support of people who use the park.

December 15, 2005

Please be advised that the access for public horse trails is diminishing daily. I am an avid endurance rider and utilize as many trails as possible in my geographic residence to train. It would be a shame to lose the canal trails. I love riding that region.

December 12, 2005

As residents of North Chesapeake City, living on the waterfront of the C&D Canal, my husband and I support this project. I quickly scanned the website and reviewed the public comments. It seems most people want to still be able to horseback ride (especially), bike, walk and jog. Therefore, if you are able to accommodate those activities, it should be very successful. The only comment I want to add is to ensure that dogs are kept on a leash and they are cleaned up after. I think signs should be posted to ensure that is done and fines should be imposed if it is not. Since there is already a dog training facility, folks with dogs have somewhere to take their dogs for recreation. My husband and I are also in favor of the road being restricted for maintenance purposes. Currently, there is a lot of traffic driving down the Canal Road after dark. Since this is not allowed per the signs that are currently posted, I hope the new project will address the security of the road. One way of doing that would be to install a gate that would have card access for the maintenance vehicles to get in an out.
There should be enough space next to the gate so the road would still be accessible for walkers, runners, horses, etc.

December 10, 2005

I am an advid horseback rider and would love to continue to ride along the canal.

Please include my e-mail in the fight to save it.

December 10, 2005

I received notice that there are prospective plans to pave the lower road levels along both sides of the C&D Canal to accomodate bikers and pedestrians.  I hope that it may not happen.

As a Delaware resident and horse owner, those roads beside the canal have provided hours and hours of trail riding enjoyment over the years for myself and many of my horse-owning friends.  Pedestrians, whether walking or jogging, have been able to use those paths alongside us.  Cyclists with trail tires have found them equally pleasurable.

Should you pave those roads as planned, and re-route traffic to the upper levels, you will be effectively killing the enjoyment for many, many  DE horse owners that currently use those trails.  Macadam roads are slippery for metal horseshoes, and horse bones and sinews were not made for long-term impact against hard road surfaces. 

There are so few areas in Delaware that offer opportunities for several hours of trail riding without going round in circles that it would be just short of criminal to take this one away from us.  Especially as it is already multi-purpose for those dedicated to using it. 

Is there no compromise that can be made to give us "equal but separate" rights, if necessary?   Offer two narrow trails on each side apart from each other... a paved trail wide enough for pedestrian and bike traffic and a dirt or cinder trail plenty wide enough for two horses abreast.  That way everyone would win because it would cost more to pave the whole roadway. Or possibly, pave only one side of the canal (the side with the most gravelly road) and leave the other for equestrian use. 

I can appreciate that it must not be easy dealing with the public when it comes to these issues.  I do hope that you will understand that it is much harder to give something up when you have enjoyed its privilege for so long, and even harder to accept when the privilege is being denied you so that others may enjoy what you lost. 

December 9, 2005

It does concern me that Lum's Pond State Park is under consideration for a multi-purpose path.  I own a horse and enjoy riding there without worry.  This would be detremental to all horseback riders, since there are not many places around for us to ride without blacktopped trails and tons of bikeriders. 

Please consider us in your decision and understand that there are alot more us out there than you think.

December 9, 2005

Please accept my input against paving a path on the canal. I currently enjoy both running and riding my horse on natural dirt. There are few places left fairly natural. I think just maintaining the path would allow hikers, joggers, horseback riders, hunters, dogtraining, etc., to continue.

December 9, 2005

we have 4 horses and love to ride the trails at the C&D Canal .  it has been a wholesome and healthy hobby while raising my two children and something that i hope they will enjoy as an adult.  please do not forget us when it comes to delaware 's beautiful state parks.  we do not hunt but we do hike and ride our bikes also.  having horses and horseback riding is growing more popular and constitutes a large part of the public as was proved by the recent study done by the dept of agriculture.  we are taxpayers and support the local business's by putting a large amount of our income back into the economy just like the hunters and other park patrons.  (probably more!)  please do not forget us!  i'm sure you know of someone, a friend or relative that also enjoys horses!  

December 8, 2005

Natural area around canal offers good recreation now
Plans to develop a new multi-purpose recreational trail along the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal would only serve to diminish the environmental opportunities that currently exist in the area. There are a myriad of access roads and trails where bicyclists, runners and walkers can pursue their hobbies without traffic and having to breathe exhaust fumes.
The canal area is an excellent location to view wildlife. With increased vehicular traffic, the opportunities would surely decrease due to noise.
As hunting season commences, people not familiar with the area venturing into the area could increase accidents. As for fishing opportunities, the most economical solution would be to repair the piers that are now in disarray or closed.
Let's keep the canal area as it is and it will serve us well. Changing it will be akin to killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

December 8, 2005

I have horseback ridden on the canal and it is wonderful riding. It would be areal shame to lose this area for riding being that Delaware does not hve a great deal of riding area.At this point the trails can still be used by everyone, black top would make it very undesirable for people on horseback.Not to mention the effect on wildlife or the possible loss of any of the Indian artifacts that are occasionally found in this area. I was first introduced to this area by my father as a young child when he would take my sister and I up there to search for Arrowheads and sharks teeth. Wouldn ' t it be nice to preserve this for future generations not everything needs to be black topped ?

December 8, 2005

Due to the new rules on hunting in Maryland , (hunting is allowed on Sunday now), horseback riding enthusiasts have already lost time when they can safely ride, this proposal will eliminate places where we can safely ride.  Please consider our sport when you make your decision.

December 8, 2005

As a member of the Delaware Equine Council, and the Delmarva Driving Club and the Coon Hunters club I would like to make my thoughts known. The stand that the Delaware Equine Council and various other equine clubs in the state of Delaware are taking a stand. We appreciate trails and we do not wish to lose them and that we have no problem sharing them for multi-use, we do no appreciate asphalt surfaces and that we do wish to continue the privilege of using public lands as do others, i.e. bikers, hikers, hunters, etc. 9000 acres is really not a lot of property, but unfortunately in Delaware it is an abundance! Do we really need more black topped areas-does the wildlife have to be once again chased out of their habitat-do the horseback riders want to loose yet another place where they will not be welcome to ride? Yes, it does directly impact me as I live here- by the same token it impacts you-as we need to say NO more building in Delaware No more
black top!

December 8, 2005

I would like to say I horseback ride up on the canal for many years enjoy the beauty of it all please don't take that away from us

December 7, 2005

Please do not black top the canal. My family and I ride horses and would like to continue to ride horses there in the future.

Thank you and I hope you will consider this matter for all horse riders. We are running out of places to ride.

December 7, 2005

I currently ride the C&D canal on horseback and enjoy it. I am a resident of Delaware and hence pay Delaware taxes. I do not wish for the trails to be blacktopped. This is a huge expense and unsafe for horses. I feel that if this happens it is only alienating horse riders from enjoying the public lands that we now pay taxes for.

I also feel that too much of our wildlife areas are being urbanized. This is for wildlife and us to enjoy, not building or commercializing.

December 7, 2005

After the meeting on Monday, December 5th at Gunning Bedford, I really have to question the state's and Army Corp of Engineers' reasoning in paving the canal.  I wonder who this will really benefit.  Anyone can use the roads as they are now.  The bike clubs and hikers and scouts that I know use them as are as well as horseback riders.  Anyone that does any jogging and horseback riding know that blacktop is harder on the legs and back.  Besides for the any and all blacktop makes it a lot hotter.  I don't think anyone has taken any poll from the people that use the canal roads as they are to what benefit this would be to them.  As I have used the canal as is for all kinds of recreation, riding, bike riding, cruising, fishing, dog hiking, sledding with the kids, kite flying, picnics, no one asked me if I wanted it changed.  I really like it the way it is.  Watching nature is a pure delight and watching the water craft and if I need a rest room I go home or to Lums Pond.  The horseback riders that I know use Lums Pond for parking trucks and trailers for which we need room to load and unload horses and turn around space.  Lums Pond has been able to accommodate us wonderfully.  I haven't heard anyone complain about the fee for a little security with leaving our vehicles and the beautiful area that we have to ride in between the canal and the Pond.  Fair Hill has stone parking lots, beautiful trails, a parking/usage fee with port-a-potties, and no blacktop.  They are used extensively by all and all share the trails and beauty of Cecil County .  Why does this area have to be any different except to use more taxpayers' money, make it uncomfortable and irrational for horseback riders and chase out more of Mother Nature where they are getting more and more crowded all the time.  Delaware has chased out pheasant, bob-white and many more critters that used to abound in Delaware and New Castle County .  Please leave some normalcy in our state. 

December 7, 2005

I am writing in regard to the changes that Mike Castle wants to make to the North and South sides of the Canal.  Although his plan looks very picturesque, do we really need more black topped areas?  Does wildlife once again need to be pushed out of their habitat?  If Mike Castle is making the changes for joggers, bicyclists and walkers, they can do that without blacktop!  At Fair Hill , MD there are the bicyclists, joggers and walkers along with the HORSES and wildlife with NO blacktop!  Please really think about the changes and the effects that Mike Castle's plan will have before making your decision.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

December 7, 2005

I enjoy going horseback riding along the canal & would like to continue to do so.

December 6, 2005

I myself am a horse back rider and enjoy riding the canal.  I say no to more blacktop on the canal. Horses won't be welcome.  There will be too much habitat that will get pushed away.  Leave the canal as it is so we all can enjoy it as we all do now.

December 6, 2005

I am 22 years old, have lived in New Castle County, Delaware for 21 of those years, and, as a rider, can honestly say it is difficult finding safe places to ride here . There are very few places to trail ride and the places that exist are small and crowded by development - with the exception of Lums Pond and the adjoining C&D Canal . Please don't destroy the only decent place to trail ride in New Castle County .

December 6, 2005

Let the horses and the wildlife enjoy what is left of Natural Delaware.  Keep the C&D canal as is.

December 6, 2005

I am writing this in protest to the black topping and the traffic flow redesigned - causing horseback riding to not to be permitted. The C&D Canal /and Wildlife Area -- NO more building in Delaware No more black top! 

9000 acres is really not a lot of property, but unfortunately in Delaware it is an abundance!  Do we really need more black topped areas-does the wildlife have to be once again chased out of their habitat-do the horseback riders want to loose yet another place where they will not be welcome to ride? NO!!!!

PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS!!! We truly enjoy riding the canal on the 'natural path'---dirt! Thank you for taking my request into consideration.

December 6, 2005

Please do not make the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal area paths, the multi-purpose paths. We do not need anymore black top in Delaware . We need nice open land, and lots of natural paths.

I am a horseback riding enthusiast, and the governments are always making our nice trails, into black top paths, and then kicking the horseback riders out. It is not fair. Our tax dollars go to these projects, and we end up with no place to ride.

You guys (the government) did it to the C & O Canal . From Potomac to Ohio , it was a long, long unpaved trail. We would ride various sections of the trail all the time. Then what happened; the government decided to start the Rails to Trails program, and paved almost all of the trail. You guessed it, they kicked us off, and said NO HORSES ALLOWED! Thanks for spending our tax dollars, and taking away one of our benefits.

Please stop the paving of this and other trails that are currently being proposed. Joggers and bikers like to ride and walk the natural trails.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

A very concerned taxpayer and horseback rider.

December 6, 2005

I am an avid horsewoman and ride every weekend, one of those places is the canal and to change the pathways to black top would be a crime and reduce the natural settings we so love to ride and traverse. It is become hard enough to find places in this state that accommodate horseman/woman. I hope you will take a good look at this as the equine industry in Delaware is growing and becoming a major economic factor.

December 6, 2005

I just wanted to let you know that I horseback ride in the canal, and I would like to continue to do so. There is not much riding area in DE, so we would like to keep what we have now.

December 6, 2005

I just wanted to express my concern for the canal. My family and I  horseback ride and do not want to loose this wonderful place. Please consider what you are doing the horse community in Delaware is much larger then you think. We also bike and have never had ANY problems with horses on the trail.

December 6, 2005

I am an equestrian and I would very much like to continue to ride the Lums Pond area. I know there are many others like me that would hate to see yet another place that the horse and rider are not welcome.

December 6, 2005

I would like to let you know of my interest to maintain the C & D canal open for all nature lovers, including those on horseback. Currently, there are few places to continue the western tradition of riding, and the C & D canal represents one of the most beautiful places in the northeast to share with the rest of the country, and it is important to keep the park open to horseback riding enthusiasts nationwide.

Horse men and women are open to support in any way possible to keep trails open and maintained for all nature enthusiasts, and we would like the opportunity to do so.

Please accept my email as a strong proponent to keeping the park open to horseback riding.

December 6, 2005

PLEASE DO NOT BLACK TOP THE C AND D I HORSE BACK RIDE THERE AND THEN IT WILL NOT BE HORSE FRIENDLY 

December 6, 2005

I and my daughter enjoy riding on the C&D canal and would like to continue to do so. I am concerned that your plans to make a multi-purpose path for joggers, bicyclist and walkers will interfere with our ability to enjoy riding there.

December 6, 2005

NO more building in Delaware No more black top! 
I ride the canal and would like to continue to do so - 

December 6, 2005

I have recently been informed that there is talk about paving trails along the C&D Canal . While adding this new luxury for bicyclists, a different perspective of enjoying the trails would be taken away. To experience something one hundred times and then to experience it again, on the back of a horse makes it a whole new discovery. Whether a person is a lifelong competitor, a weekend rider or has never even been on the back of a horse, they can still enjoy the canal in this one of a kind way. Individuals, families or groups are able to rent horses with and enjoy a guided trail from Lums Pond Equestrian Center to the C&D Canal regardless of their previous riding experiences. Also for people like myself who are unable to jog or bike it is the only way to enjoy the C&D Canal . Horseback riding is truly a unique way to encounter and appreciate the world around us. To eliminate it as a part of the C&D canal that is already open to joggers as well as bikers would be an utterly distressing mistake.

December 6, 2005

It has been brought to my attention that there is talk of closing the C & D Canal to horse back riding.  You may not realize that the canal is used by a lot of people including horse groups for trail riding.  This is just one more place that is being taken from horse owners.  Do we really need another paved road for bikers and hikers.  The true bicyclist and hiker do not care about paved roads.

Please think about what you are getting ready to do.  This not only affects horseback riders it also affects the wildlife in the area as well.

December 6, 2005

It looks very picturesque-then the questions came up-paved roads-lower level traffic being routed to the upper levels This is where the hunters are and the dog training center --so yes, you guessed - it where does that leave horseback riding?

December 6, 2005

The C&D Canal /and Wildlife Area will no longer be horse friendly from experience.

Please do not do this to the canal.

December 6, 2005

For over 40 years I have ridden along the canal. We have even driven our carriage horse along the canal for one of our organizational drives.

The point is that we view the canal as a wonderful place for friends to take horses and have a lovely time. I know that many other horsey acquaintances also use the canal banks for recreation. I hope that you will hear their voices too.

December 6, 2005

I am an avid horseback rider. I would truly like to continue to ride along the canal.   Please do not black top the road, black top paving is all I see anymore.  I visited New York City this past weekend end, I was never more glad to get home and see grass.   Pease reconsider the paving.

December 5, 2005

Please do not limit use of canal for horseback riding.  It is one of the few true nice areas to ride in Delaware .  Thank you a concerned equine enthusiast

December 5, 2005

My husband and I and many of our friends ride our horses along the C&D Canal and enjoy it very much. There are very few places to ride horses in New Castle County and this is one of our favorites. Please keep us in mind when you make any decisions concerning turning the canal into a Multi Purpose Path. There are other parks to jog and walk your dog but very little for us horse enthusiasts.

December 5, 2005

The canal has been a place where my horse and I truly enjoy riding and would like to continue to do so. Having an influx of joggers, bikers, and other pedestrians and prohibiting horseback riding would be devastating to horseback riders. Trail riding is as much a part of the park as any other recreational activity there and many people enjoy seeing the horses along the trails, if not participating in the ride itself. Please do not pave the area and drive riders out.

December 5, 2005

It has been brought to my attention, an avid lover of horses, that the trail along the canal may be paved to accommodate bikers and hikers and such.  Please reconsider this motion as it affects those who horseback ride in that area.  In Delaware , we have very limited areas to ride.  Luckily, I ride at a facility that does have trails, Lums Pond Equestrian Center .  However, we ride down by the canal a lot, for variety.  It is such a great location, taking it away from us would limit us severely.  As a rider and horse lover, please do NOT pave the trail, for that will limit us even further.

If anything the C&D canal area needs to be less accesable for off roading and park activities. There are parks all over the place for bike riding playing with your dogs, and off roading is distructive in too many ways for wildlife areas. C&D Wildlife area is one of a few public places to hunt, because of development over the last 10 years game animal like Quail are almost non-existent in a place they were plentiful a couple years ago. I see a lot of states like NJ recently trying to better habitat and bring back species like Quail and they have all had great success and gained a lot of benefits. It's really sad to see the areas for people who like to hunt getting smaller and smaller each year, while jogging paths bike trails are expanding into those areas. You can do other activities at existing facilities or on most public land. The people who enoy the outdoors for hunting and fishing cant just go to any park to do those things. Instead of developing why don't we better a great area. good public hunting areas are rare and would draw a lot of people out of state hunters included to bring in revenue and  improve a declining habitat for soon to be non-existent animals in this state. NJ actually has to stock Quail and phesant because they ran them out with the same things being mentioned. Just improve what we have, do not change it I gaurantee hunters and fishermen would volunteer to work the area .

The Delaware Nature Society supports this effort. However, we are interested in protecting the 60-foot high Deep Cut as it is a regionally unique exposure of four Upper Cretaceous aged coastal plain formations. The nearest exposure of comparable size and quality is at Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. While public education regarding Delaware's geologic past should be capitalized upon, the bluff must be carefully preserved.

Additionally, there is a Low Bluff located along the old channel that exposes two Upper Cretaceous aged formations, composed of marine sediments that is quite visually appealing. The Low Bluff should be protected as well.

Finally, there is a fossiliferous outcrop located on Government property adjacent to the Biggs Farm. Fossil remains of more than 200 species have been found at Biggs Farm. Efforts for long-term preservation should be considered for this area.

The Delaware Nature Society looks forward to participating in any working groups that develop as a result of this Recreation Study. Thank you for this opportunity to comment.

I would like to second the comments hoping for off road bicycle trails as well as level trails and for maximizing the areas left largely undeveloped.

I attended the public meeting at Gunning Bedford Middle School regarding this project and wish to put my opposition officially down on paper. At the meeting a wonderful slide show was shown of the cape cod canal. However wonderful that might be for that area, it wouldn't be wonderful for this one. I enjoy the solitude of the canal area, it is something that is hard to find in this area with all the construction going on. There are wonderful little fishing ponds that most people don't know about where you can sit and enjoy the wildlife around you as you catch fish after fish. You hear and see hundreds of different types of birds, you can watch beaver swim and there are even otters that live in that area.
At the meeting I expressed my concern over loss of these wonderful experiences by building up in the area, and making it more accessible to people who don't appreciate it the way it is and won't respect the nature around them. Governor Castle made a remark that all he was talking about doing was making a bike path, some parking and a bathroom facility. He also stated that he didn't think the "improvements" he planned on making would attract more people but just make it better for the ones that already use it.
First, those statements go against everything he has said previously regarding this project (the local newspaper has printed articles on it) second, the people who use it now don't want it "improved" they use it because they like what it is now. I will concede that better maintenance of the crush and run roads would be nice, but we deal with them the way they are.
there are a number of safety issues that come to mind also, currently the area is used as a place for prostitutes to  earn some money, if it is easier to get to there will be more prostitution, and possibly even more dangerous crimes. How will the people who use the vast park be protected? How will the wildlife be protected? What will keep things from getting out of hand?
please sir leave the canal area alone. If Governor castle has the Corp convinced that all he wants to do is add a bike path, I implore you to read the back articles in the News Journal and see that he has grander plans that will ruin the beauty and sanctuary the canal offers crowded out, over populated people.

I am writing to support the Recreational Study of the C&D Canal. Main Street Delaware City, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and economic revitalization of Delaware City, has recently been awarded a DNREC grant to evaluate natural habitat areas in and around our town for the purpose of EcoTourism (birding, wildlife watching, hiking, kayaking, learning about our waterways, marshes and ecosystems). This project begins in June 2005 and will be completed in one year. As specific areas are identified for trails and interpretation, we plan to work closely with DNREC, New Castle County, the Audubon Society, Delaware Nature Society and other stakeholders to develop and fund these projects.
In Delaware City, we also host two sports events annually, a Duathlon in April and a Triathlon in June (see descriptions below). A direct pedestrian/bicycling connection between Delaware City and the Canal could provide a series of very nice alternative routes for these races.
April 16 (Saturday) - Brandywine Valley Duathlon - The race is a 5K run, 30K bike ride, 5K run event. The race starts at 8:00 a.m., and takes the athletes through a scenic course in Delaware City and surrounding wetland marshes. It is one of the most beautiful duathlons around.
June 18 (Saturday) – "Escape from Fort Delaware" Triathlon – The “premiere race on the East Coast!” according to Triathlon Magazine. The athletes swim 1.5 kilometers across the Delaware River, bike 40 kilometers and run 10 kilometers. Prizes are awarded in Battery Park after the race.
We believe that an approach to increasing recreational opportunities along the C&D Canal is very compatible with our plans for increasing tourism in the Delaware City area, and we appreciate the opportunity to participate in the planning stages of the Canal project. We look forward to working with you.

As board member of the Westchester Retriever Club, I would like to express my support for the maintenance of dog training areas on these lands. Dog training is a very important use of this property, appreciated my a great number of serious outdoor people, and retriever trainers in particular. It is imperative to have lands available to train dogs to competently perform their intended duties in the fields. More and more lands are being lost for this use through increasing development and restrictions, so we are very concerned about any possible limitations to our all consuming pastime. Dog related activities are enjoyed by a very large number of people, most of whom participate in organized events (AKC, NAGRA, UKC etc.) and bring a great deal of revenue into areas where these events are held on a regular basis. Dog trainers tend to be folk who respect the land and use it wisely. We routinely pick up trash that others leave behind for the safety of our dogs. We are governed by federal and state laws, as well as the rules and regulations of our various organizations. We respect others' rights to use the land, and we ask that others respect our rights to do the same. There are many areas where other activities can be pursued, but very few where dog training is possible or permitted. Please consider our needs and the importance of these activities on our lives. We may not be as visible as bicyclists, or as vocal or as well organized as Animal Rights people, but we are certainly as passionate, dedicated, and plentiful in number.

The C&D canal recreational use, my suggestion is to leave the canal surroundings in a natural state as much as possible to benefit wildlife. The population in Cecil County has grown tremendously since I moved here in 1990. The area has abundant recreational opportunities in the county and in surrounding areas in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and along the Susquehanna River.

There are few natural areas where wildlife can live in peace.

Areas should be protected for wildlife only; other areas may be set aside for low-impact use, such as hiking and birding. I would strongly oppose any off-road vehicle or ATV use.

I live in the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend area and I understand that there is a project underway to make the areas surrounding the C&D Canal more accessible and to provide recreational areas for the public.  I also understand that there is currently a dog training area in place.  I was wondering how feasible it would be to also have a "dog park" area there as well.  We have been fortunate enough to enjoy the dog park located at Carousel Farms in Hockessin and with its off-leash area it is a wonderful place for dogs and their owners to spend time together.  With houses in our area popping up daily and the yards that go with them getting smaller all the time, it is so nice to have someplace where the dogs can run without leashes and to interact with other dogs.  The socialization that these animals get from this type of park is wonderful for promoting the kind of responsible dog ownership that should be encouraged.

I hope that you will consider a similar park for the C&D Canal project.  There is an ever growing community of neighbors with pets that would enjoy coming together in this way.  I have mentioned the Carousel park to many of the people who live in this area and many more would frequent a place like this if it were closer.

I was born and raised here and many of my family members are life long residents. I am against the C & D project because the town already has enough tourism here. This would just be another way for the town to bring in more tourism. They are not considering the current residents of Chesapeake City they are considering the businesses here. As a resident I am tired of having rude out of state people walking in the middle of the road after the town put in a sidewalk for them to walk on. And the town is not patrolled enough as it is. They walk where they are not suppose to and stop to take pictures of water where there is no stopping. They run through stop signs stop and stop where there are no stop signs. It is ridiculous the amount of things that the out of state people that bring money into the town are allowed to get away with but the residents that support the town through out the year are made to suffer. The general people that do not have businesses here in town do not have many things that we can do for recreation but fishing on the levies. And that is about to be interrupted by yet again more out of Towner's.

This town is no longer for the residents they are for the businesses that bring in money and out of state people that spend the money. There are many more residents than business people here. I would like to know what paper the announcement of the meeting was held in. A project that is to involve Chesapeake City should be in the local paper. But yet I get the paper about everyday and do not remember these meetings being mentioned in the paper. I and many other people would have attended the meeting had we known. I think it is a shame that nothing was in the paper about this till Thursday when a local resident had their picture put in the paper. Something that significant should have been front page before now. Please help stop the local residents from being punished for the people that bring in money during a few months of the year and forgetting about the people that support the town through out the year. Us the tax payers.

I know this idea is probably far out there, but I thought I'd suggest it any way.

I would like to have an ATV area for people to ride in. Other states have similar areas in state parks etc,

But Delaware has none. You could charge a license fee to register, have set hours, season etc.

I think this would be a great idea to give our kids somewhere to ride legally.

The C&D grounds provides one of the few places that have adequate land and water to train and test retrievers. I would suggest increasing the buffer around the property to ensure that encroachment does not adversely impact this key resource.

I love to bird watch along the C&D canal. I hope you will develop sites that are conducive to this activity and limit use that would damage bird habitats .I have property close by in Earlville.

I believe that it is important to explore all of the possible untapped or underutilized recreational opportunities that exist all along the C & D Canal corridor. This corridor is such a valuable and conveniently accessible resource to a large population base in Delaware, Maryland, and even nearby Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As other privately owned open spaces, including farms, etc., continue to be developed and disappear, the C & D Canal Corridor will only continue to increase in value. Future generations will certainly appreciate having access to this resource and the multitude of recreational uses that will certainly be identified by your study.

I would like to offer an additional thought on this project.  As I said, I live in between White Clay and Middle run parks in NCC.  It is amazing the amount that I and my neighbors deal with as regards those persons exceeding boundaries, leaving trails, and engaging in illegal activities.  I am sure this will happen anywhere and is to be expected, however I encourage the use of large buffer zones and enforcement to segregate activities.

As an individual who raises and competes versatile hunting dogs (pointers), I often use the canal for off-leash training activities.  The only other area available for this activity is the C&R center in southern Delaware near Sandtown.  This is a great area near a population base that can be used for this task.  I note that most parks in this area require dogs to be on a leash - which is absolutely counter productive to a dog you expect to be running 1/3 to 1/2 mile away from you searching birds.  The same goes for teaching or practicing retrieving.   I am sure if trails or other activities abut the dog training and hunting areas, complaints will soar, as persons not accustomed to gunshot or are not of the hunting dog ilk will be calling in at every sound that they were shot at or menaced by a dog. I only want to see a large enough area set aside and clearly marked to prevent encroachment.

I encourage you to better develop the retriever and sporting dog areas to better accommodate both types of dog sports.  A club house, better management for small game and bird habitat that dogs can run thorough with nice edges for dogs to follow.  An excellent example I would encourage you to research is the Flaherty Field trial area in CT.  I offer a link to the area map here and a link to the CT DEP wildlife division.  This area is actively managed for bird hunting and field trialing with parking for campers/RVs/horse trailers, a small corral, a modest clubhouse, and outhouses.  It is closed during field trials except to participants, and open to hunting and dog training at other times.  It is greatly admired by dog clubs, field trialers, and the local area alike.  It is close to the interstate and a reasonably populated area, has lots of restaurants and hotels nearby - very similar to the C&D canal.  It is booked almost every weekend in the spring and fall providing great stream of high dollar tourism revenues.

http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/pdf/maps/map9142a.pdf

http://dep.state.ct.us/burnatr/wildlife/wdhome.htm

I think the project that Congressman Mike castle has proposed for the C & D Canal is very good and very worthwhile.  Make it happen.  I would like to see it happen and would use it.

Yes, I live about 4 miles south of the canal, and I support the ideal of turning it into a recreation area, some suggestions I have are to preserve the hunting areas and mark trails and areas that are designated to be in, also you could actually make money off this, I suggest you allow areas for atvs to ride because I know plenty of people who would pay 20 bucks a day to ride up there if it was allowed because there is no where to ride any more. So if you could bring the ATV topic to the board of ideals id appreciate it

Please bring back the Delaware State Championship Enduro.

I will fill out the questionnaire; however, the only data necessary can be found at any similar trail project virtually anywhere the country. It is a great shame that we must be "rallied" upon to produce numbers at some planning meeting when the statistics are already in. Some of the most remote, rural facilities in PA (rail trails) attract literally 10s, if not hundreds of thousands of users per year. The fact of the matter is, 99.999% of the people who will use this trail do not know about these meetings or that it is even being proposed. Yes, *we* will use it right away, but many more will learn of its existence and take up cycling, hiking, whatever after it is completed.

If the State, USACE, or whoever choose instead to listen to adjacent property owners, who in years to come will regret their protest and benefit with increased property value, then it will be a huge failure on their part to simply do a little research.

We will all lose.

To the few cyclists who were at the meeting tonight thanks for being there. For those of you who were not there please visit the following web site- http://www.nap.usace.army.mil/Projects/CD/ you will notice on the right hand side at the top of the page there is a link to send an e-mail to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with your thoughts. I got a chance to speak with Congressman Castle and tell him that speaking for the club we are in favor of his proposal for the development of paths and other improvements to enhance the area.

Unfortunately there were neighbors, hunters, fisherman & wildlife people making a case for their side and very few people there expressing the need to have a safe place to cycle, run and roller skate. Please don't miss this opportunity to discuss the need for exercise & safe recreation areas for families to enjoy. Do it now don't put it off.

Thank you for taking the time to plan the future of the C & D Canal.  Population around the canal is expected to triple in the next 10 years and without good planning and preparation these new residences will soon run roughshod over the entire Canal resource area.  We need to manage the future use of the Canal in a manner that allows the continuance and enhancement of existing uses including hunting, equestrian, fishing, bicycling, walking, birding and shipwatching.  The only way this can be accomplished with more people coming to the Canal area is to bring more resources to the Canal for operations, capital improvements, and enforcement.  Masterplanning for this now is a great first step.  These investments in Delaware's, Maryland's and the region's quality of life are great investments particularly since the Canal lands are already a publicly held resource and therefore we don't have to go out and purchase the real estate.  As for goals, a focus on resolving user conflict through proper management before they occur should be a priority.  For example, existing hunting opportunities need to be protected from the encroachment of residential development.  New communities backing to the Canal need to be designed appropriately.  As another example, residences looking to walk and bicycle along the Canal should be given an appropriate facility down by the water's edge away from areas offering other uses such as hunting and dog training which may be at times incompatible.  This facility should follow the water's edge on both sides of the canal.  The region needs this long distance facility because one simply does not exist in Delaware.

I am writing in favor of the development of multi-use paths and facilities along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. My interest is as a father, cyclist, jogger, retrieving dog owner, and as a person who avidly hunted during my youth.

Im sure you will receive resistance to the development of additional recreational facilities along the canal from several fronts. While talking with friends about this subject, I've been able to identify at least a few.

First, a sample of home and property owners adjacent to the canal property will object primarily on the grounds that they do not wish to have additional people or traffic near their homes and property. This argument boils down to little more than a not in my backyard attitude and should be given little or no consideration because the canal is a local, multi-state, and national resource to be shared by all.

Second, hunters may object on the grounds that they will loose the ability to hunt in the area as they have in the past. With proper management, hunting and other recreational endeavors can easily co-exist as they do in state parks. An example of this is the multi-use management of White Clay Creek State Park in Newark, Delaware. My home is adjacent to White Clay Creek State Park and I have first hand knowledge that hunting does co-exist safely with trail hiking, cycling, bird watching, disc golf, and a variety of other activities. There is no reason that similar management practices could not be put in place at the canal area.

Third, the canal area is an excellent training area for retrieving hunting dogs. As the owner of two Labrador Retrievers, I would not want to see retriever dog training displaced. There is a great deal of acreage in the canal area, and surely a sufficient area could be set aside to continue and possibly enhance this worthwhile activity.

Development of additional recreational facilities in the canal area creates a golden opportunity to make the resource available for more people to engage in healthy activities. It is also an opportunity to fix some of the things that are clearly wrong with the canal area as it currently stands. If you take even a brief walk or drive in the canal area, you will find many trash dumps and evidence of other illegal activity. The presence of increased numbers of people engaged in legal and healthy activities can help to drive away the unwanted element of criminals engaged in illegal and unhealthy activities on the property. In other words, lack of an organized effort to develop the canal area is probably not an option. A fast growing population nearby will cause development of the area in one way or another. It can be haphazard with bad results or planned development with the likelihood of a positive outcome.

Finally, there is a great deal of public land along the canal that more people could enjoy with the development of paved multi-use paths, multi-use trails, and comfort & interpretive facilities. This is a chance to better serve the public in general and to enhance tourism in our area at the same time. It seems like a win-win situation if special interests, those that would like to keep the canal area to themselves, do not prevail. Please consider the development of multi-use paths and other facilities in the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal area that will improve opportunities for healthy recreation for the greater good of the public.

I will not be able to make the public meeting unfortunately...Can you tell me what plans there are, which may affect Delaware City? I always felt that area was Delaware's best tourism secret. Especially if you are an American military history or canal history buff.

Clearly there are competing interests in the development of the C&D canal area. However, with the very rapid growth of housing both immediately north and south of the canal, and the continued development and home building in this area of New Castle County, the recreational needs for families, specifically biking, walking, roller blading will increase, and a park like environment with paved trails would be most appropriate.

I realize there are those who would encourage a less developed park area, with more emphasis on hunting and fishing and wildlife, but the reality is that this is rapidly becoming a very suburban area.

In particular bicycle access and use should be encouraged and developed, similar to what is on the upper Delaware River in the New Hope PA area and the C & O canal in Maryland.

As a health Psychologist based in this area, any facilities that encourage physical activity and use will be helpful for the overall health of the people living in this area.

I wish to add my support for the need for exercise & safe recreation areas for families to enjoy.  It is important to have plans for exercise areas and other recreational venues besides hunting and fishing, which I don't consider to be exercise-oriented.

I am a member of the White Clay Bicycling Club and I support Congressman Castle.  We are in favor of his proposal for the development of paths and other improvements to enhance the area. We feel there is a need to have a safe place to cycle, run and roller skate.

Having experienced first hand the fine recreational facilities your organization  has created along such venues as the upper Missouri and Colorado rivers (Texas Hill country), I am all for the creation and betterment of recreational opportunities along the canal for the citizens of Delaware and Maryland.  There is a great need for exercise (i.e. bicycling, hiking) and safe recreation areas for families to enjoy.  I urge you to work vigorously with Delaware and Maryland State agencies and other interested partners to investigate potential future recreational usage of the C&D Canal. 

This study is sorely needed. I hope you will use this opportunity to increase the number of bike paths and trails that the area desperately needs. Safe recreational biking should be encouraged and promoted throughout this study. The fact that the same paths are used by runners and skaters just adds to their appeal and desirability. Please let me know if there is anything I can be doing to help this come to pass.

As a Delaware citizen concerned with the conservation of natural resources for future generations, I support the efforts to make the C&D canal access roads into a series of Delaware Greenways trails and the adjacent public lands into a park location for southern New Castle County, Delaware.

I have been following the parks and recreation surveys, meetings and reports regarding the canal and New Castle County for several years. As an avid off-highway motorcyclist I believe the C&D Canal areas would be ideal to create an area similar to the Thomaston Dam area. This is Corps held property which allows for off-highway recreation and is nearly identical in many ways to the C&D canal area. (www.nae.usace.army.mil/recreati/tmd/tmdhome.htm )

Another area to look to is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Harry S. Truman Dam and Reservoir Project.

The point is that the Corps has several precedents where off-highway recreation has been incorporated into it properties. The other point to be made is that Delaware and Maryland continue to collect gasoline taxes to help fund off-highway recreational projects and yet in Delaware there is not a single facility open to the public. The Canal areas are non pristine undeveloped spoils terrain and a trail system could be developed with mountain bikers and off highway motorized recreationalists in mind. The funding has been collected over the last 5-10 years through the Recreational Trails Act (Symms Act), the residents deserve to have their taxes utilized in a manner for which they were intended. Please consider this in your decisions and planning.

I look forward to seeing any improvements to the C&D area however it seem that current uses are not included in your info. My wife and I have been training our retrievers at the retriever training area for five years. We have hosted three events that have bee held there and plan to host one more event this year for the American Chesapeake Club annual hunt test. We also have spent many hours picking up trash and clearing washing machines out of the roadways to keep the area safe to train dogs. Please keep this existing uses in mind when planning to expand the usage.

I support the development of a recreational path along the C&D canal.

When my husband and I lived in the Washington, D.C., area, we greatly enjoyed the C&D canal path. This project would create a place for children and adults alike to appreciate nature and the great outdoors.

No mention is made of equestrian activities. I ride and drive along the C&D Canal. Please include horse activities in any plans you make.

I wanted to give you some feedback on the proposed use of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. I am an avid outdoorsman. In today's rapidly changing land use atmosphere, I believe it is critical that each of us continue to have this unimproved area as a place to hunt, fish, and relax from the pressures of our modern lifestyles. Delaware has a strong tradition of supporting and recognizing these activities as a key component of our heritage. As development has crept from one end of the state to the other, it has gotten increasingly harder to find "public" places to engage in hunting and fishing. It has gotten to the point that to hunt you must be willing to participate in a lottery or have the advantage of knowing a landowner. If we continue down the road this state is traveling, then only the well to do, or wealthy will be able to afford to lease land for the purpose of hunting. Most hunters simply cannot afford the luxury of the "pay to play" mentality that comes when you are forced to lease land. Hunters and fisherman need an area to which they can take the next generation of hunters and fisherman, our children.

What message are we sending to those children who want an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, in such a traditional way? How do you place a value on giving children this type of opportunity? What message are we sending to the parents who want to pass on the hunting heritage to their children?

I ask that you reject any efforts to alter the use of this last large tract of public land. I ask that you protect this last "refuge" for hunters and fisherman.

Thanks for working on the C&D canal recreational area. My husband and I are avid bicyclists and would certainly like to see some nice paved pathways for bicycling. I am also an in-line skater and hope that skating will be allowed on the path. Please consider making the pathway quite wide to accommodate everyone, or better yet, do as they do in Minneapolis and put in two paths, one for pedestrians, and one for bikers and skaters. You might be surprised at how much use they get.

I am very much in support of a paved multi purpose path for both cyclists, joggers, etc. to parallel both sides of the canal. It is also important to pursue the safe bridge crossing of the St. George's Bridge or Port Penn.

This is a resource that is vastly underutilized. Its development for recreational uses would fit well with the Livable Delaware agenda.

Just hoping things are left the way they are. I have used the canal for recreation for over thirty years and am not looking forward to the wildlife/human ratio tilting further toward humans. The canal area is accessible now; it does not need changing. Save the money.

I urge you to consider making the C & D canal into a Greenways link.

As a member of Delaware Trailspinners and Friends of White Clay Creek, I'm sure our members will be volunteering to assist with development and the continued maintenance of the trail network.

As an avid cyclist in Delaware, I want to voice my interest and support for developing the C&D recreational trail along the canal. I would very much like to see off-road bicycling opportunities increased in the state (and between states). I understand that plans involve developing the trail on both sides of the canal. A critical need is to have a safe bicycling route to get across the canal. There are many nice bicycling routes that cross the canal, but many of us have been avoiding doing those rides because of the safety issues in crossing any of the bridges. I would strongly support having dedicated bike lanes added to the St. Georges Bridge, as one possibility.

We would like to see a safe, long-distance bicycle trail along the C and D Canal.  Delaware has a need for this because of the unsafe riding conditions on the roads, and the lack of level riding spots off-road.

Great initiative.

My opinion:

1) Long distance multi-use trails are most successful when they lead to or link things that people want or need (e.g. place to buy lunch, to shop, an overlook, a park, path to somewhere else, etc). Link Chesapeake City to Delaware City and you have a real winner.

2) Mulch is a horrible surface for hiking and biking. Macadam isn't much better.

3) Long straight sections need to separate pedestrians from cyclist.

Cyclist will want to zip along. Pedestrians will be alarmed or harmed if they share the same tread. This will just make it harder for people to share the path.

4) Camping areas along the way will help ensure usage. Separate RV camping from tent camping.

5) Changes in elevation, twists and turns, going from sun to shade, all add to the experience. Diversity is the key.

6) It's wonderful that you are doing this.

I made my first visit to the canal this past weekend and thought it was just beautiful. I do hope you take the concerns seriously in reference to motor bikes, ATV's and speed boats. My personal opinion is that mixing these elements with the function of the canal is just asking for trouble.

I am a horse owner and would appreciate you considering equestrian use as a viable alternative. Keeping in mind the goal to provide a multi-use trail for walkers, joggers and bikers and "to enhance recreation along the Canal" I do feel that equestrians would be a much more compatible choice. Equestrians can successfully share recreation areas with joggers, hikers, etc and are much more environmentally friendly than the alternative. Including horses in the proposal would prove to be an excellent choice and would blend well with the existing use as well as the proposed use.

Before making a decision, why not walk the area yourself. The peace and quiet that is found there is what really makes you appreciate nature and is one of the reasons that I found the area so appealing.

I will not be able to attend either of the public meetings but wanted to inform you of my support of the proposed project. I'm an avid cyclist who is an active member of White Clay Bicycle Club & rides regularly. Development of cycling trails along the C&D canal would be great for off road cycling & I would like it recorded that I support the building of such trails. I think these trails would be used extensively and be an asset to Delaware & Maryland's recreational facilities.

Thank you very much for your concern for EVERYONE that uses the state parks!   Many Parks are limiting the areas available to horsesback riders or are trying to eliminate our use altogether.  This is very refreshing news!   The C&D canal is a beautiful place to ride and it would be wonderful to have a such a nice trail for us to enjoy!  All citizens pay taxes and should have equal access to our state areas.  This is a great idea and we will be thrilled to see it become a reality.  Thanks again for including the equestrian citizens!

I was pleased to hear about this recreational study. Upon review I was very displeased to see the omission of equestrian use from the proposed study. I board my horse on a property that backs up to the canal and use those fields and roadways frequently on trail rides. I would hate to see that area opened up to bikers, hikers and joggers only to lose use of it myself. I'm sure I speak for many equestrians in the area. If the greenway plan is to move forward please include the possibilities of equestrian use as well. We are a large part of that "greenway" community already. It's almost all we have left due to serious over development in the area. Our properties border the Army Corp of Engineers Property. Please don't lose us as part of the big picture.

I am a current user of the canal trails/area on horseback. We would greatly like to be considered as an important part of the canal recreation study. We would like horse trails and /or access to be considered as part of the new project. Not just hikers, joggers and bikers. There are tons of boarding farms in the 'hacking' vicinity of the canal (of which I am one) and would like the opportunity to continue to use the area. Horses do not destroy the trails and we are respectful of the environment. Please do not disregard us as a vital part of this plan. It is important to include the people who actually live along the canal and have horses as part of their lives.

I am a Delaware resident that supports the development of recreational non-motorized paths along the canal.

I think that one of the recreational activities that should be considered would be a safe place (large hill) to do some sledding in the winter.  We don't get much snow, but when we do it would be nice to have a safe and convenient place where we can take our children to go sledding.  New Castle County developed a hill in their new park in the Bear/Glasgow area and one just like it could be set-up in the C&D area for the residents of lower New Castle County.  It wouldn't take much to develop this idea in conjunction with bike paths, parking lots, restrooms, etc.

We are writing to voice our support for multi use trails along the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. As hikers and trail riding bicyclists, we are aware of the tremendous need for long-distance off road trails here in Delaware. The C & D Canal area is an ideal location and we whole heartedly support a multi use trail system along both sides of the canal connected via bike lanes on the bridges.

I speak for many families of Middletown, Delaware when I state there is a need for a safe winter sledding area south of the canal. Up until this year, families utilized St. Annes Church Cemetery to enjoy the winter snow. This year, signs were put in place and county police patrolled to make sure no one was sledding in the cemetery. That left us no where to go.

I do not think it is a good idea to develop the C & D canal area.  Can't we leave wild places alone without trying to ruin them with pavement, benches, baseball fields, parking lots, restrooms, visitor centers and the like?  Hiking is currently available on miles of dirt roads, and the lowest level is even graveled for easy walking.  Fishing piers are already in place up and down the canal.  We have a dog training area and acres and acres for hunting.  Developed recreation already exists in the area at Lums Pond State Park which backs up to the canal.  Why do we need to develop another area?  If we bring more people into this area it will be hard to balance all of the current activities with people "strolling" along these "walking" paths, or "watching ships" from special "ship watching places".  The C & D canal area is great just the way it is, let's not get crazy and pave over everything.  This is how it is here; it is not like where ever these people who want to change it come from.

Has anyone suggested an off-road park for those of us that like to use the C&D canal for off roading fun I would appreciate an honest response as several friends are very interested in any plans you may have concerning this.

No one has mentioned where exactly this will be. Is it on the north or south side and what part of the canal in Delaware?

Please bring back the Delaware State Championship Enduro.

I am originally from Chicago's North Side and far north suburbs, now living in Delaware. When going back to visit, they have a continuous development along the North Branch of the Chicago River Banks. It consists of a concrete pathway with benches and a variety of artists sculptures spread out for miles along side the pathway. It is always being used by walkers, joggers, bikers, families with children and a pleasant sight to view from the roadway running alongside. All the sculptures are unique to see ranging from very contemporary to recognizable. You can interact with the sculptures if you want to.
Hope you can do something similar so this can be a pleasant experience as I have seen in the Chicago area.

I live in North Chesapeake City and I have several concerns about developing this area for recreation. One of my main concerns is ATV use on the levies. It is already unbearable on spring, summer, fall weekends and evenings with all of the noise coming from ATV's. It is hard to enjoy ourselves in our own yards due to the noise and I am afraid that it will only get worse. There is also concern over more speed boat traffic in the canal. As it is, when the Chesapeake Inn closes (approximately 2:00 a.m.), cigarette boats and other loud boats race thru the canal once they get past the no wake zone. It also happens during the day, but is extremely upsetting when it happens in the middle of the night.

I have an elderly uncle who's property backs up to the canal. I am concerned for him with trespassers and the possibility of someone breaking into his house with access to the canal roads. Is there going to be controlled access to the canal roads and will they be patrolled?