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The D&L Trail is one of Pennsylvania’s most significant outdoor corridors, stretching 165 miles through five counties and connecting communities along the historic canal and rail routes that once fueled the American Industrial Revolution. To understand the impact of the trail today, we visited Hugh Moore Park in Easton, Pennsylvania, home of the National Canal Museum and one of the most historically rich sections of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.

We spent time with the staff who help preserve this nationally important route. Tony Pierucci, Executive Director of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, explained how the D&L Trail follows the original transportation systems that moved anthracite coal from the northern coal regions to major markets. These routes powered the growth of the country, helped revolutionize iron production, and shaped the communities that developed along the corridor.

Historian Martha Capwell Fox offered a deeper look at that history. Walking along the towpath, visitors retrace the footsteps of nineteenth century children who tended canal mules and workers moving coal to market. The National Canal Museum highlights these stories, with hands-on exhibits, artifacts from the industrial era, and rotating displays that reveal how the region’s heritage continues to influence the present.

With more than 140 miles of trail open, the D&L Trail is also a major modern recreational resource. Tiffany Serra, Trails and Conservation Coordinator, outlined progress on trail development, including plans to close remaining gaps and complete the full 165 mile corridor. She also described the organization’s volunteer programs, such as Trail Patrol, Trail Tenders, and Adopt a Section, which enable trail users and community groups to support maintenance and stewardship.

Alice Wanamaker, Economic Development Manager, discussed how the Trail Towns Initiative and Trail Friendly Business Program connect recreational users with local businesses. Businesses located within a mile of the trail can become certified by offering amenities like water bottle filling, restrooms, bike tools, and basic trail knowledge. These programs strengthen main streets, support tourism, and help communities benefit from increased trail usage.

The D&L Trail is managed entirely through local and regional partnerships. The organization does not own the land; instead, it works with more than thirty landowners, municipalities, and agencies to maintain signage, consistency, and long-term vision. With more than $303 million in state and federal investment supporting trail development, the corridor continues to expand and evolve.

To learn more about the D&L Trail, visit https://delawareandlehigh.org.

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Wind Creek Event Center

Michael Bernadyn of RE/MAX Real Estate

Molly’s Irish Grille & Sports Pub

Banko Beverage Company

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