Paddle Notes

Rancocas Pathways

Inside this issue

National Water Trail....................1

Summer Paddling.........................1

Volunteers .................................. 3

Vandalism .................................. 3

Rancocas Creek Community Coali-tion..............................................3

Fall Activities .............................. 4

Rancocas Creek Map Portal..........5

Summer Ag Sales ....................... 6

Wishbone Infographic Map...........9

Special points of interest

• Got Your Rancocas, ON ?

• Volunteers, Maintain the Water Trail

• Web Site: www.rcnwt.com

• Wishbone Infographic Map

• Rancocas Creek Community Coalition

• Benefits of the RCWT

National Water Trail Application

We have been working w the NJ State Trails Conference to fine tune the NWT application for this November. Lots of folks have extended help and assistance to bring the application forward.

One area of note to mention. The “Wishbone”, Rancocas Creek tidewaters from Mt. Holly to Lumberton is the Phase 1 segment being evaluated. Phase 2 and Phase 3 will address other areas of the entire 360 square mile Rancocas Creek watershed.

Paddling the Wishbone brings paddlers onto the Mt. Holly Water Trail, the State Park Water Trail and the Lumberton Water Trail. Condensed into this 10 mile long trail is a wonderful repository of heritage , ecology, conservation, multi-use w places to eat and shop.

Summer Paddling

Nice to write up that there were no significant issues between

multi-users of the Rancocas Creek Water Trail. NJ State marine

Police have enhanced patrols along the tidewaters ,while folks

have pushed areas to paddle out into the Pine Barren Headwa-

ters.

Contact RP for “beta” on kayak access.

Volunteers helped get kids out onto the N Branch from Mt. Hol-

ly’s Summer Recreation program. Mt. Holly Middle School ad-

ministrators paddled around and about the Oxbow looking at

ways to involve the Creek, STEM issues and School curriculum.

Tip of the hat Thanks to everyone who helped over the Summer.

Fall - 2019

IT IS COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE TO SUSTAINING PUBLIC ACCESS TO ML WHEN

PEOPLE PURPOSEFULLY THWART PUBLIC ACCESS THERE ARE FREE PUBLIC

LANDINGS IN MT. HOLLY, HAINESPORT AND LUMBERTON. CONSIDER

SHIFTING YOUR ACCESS TO THESE LANDINGS. OR YOU CAN PORTAGE

YOUR KAYAK DOWN TO THE CREEK AT MELPINE. BE A WAY ROBUST

NJ State Park Regulations

Melpine Landing is located inside

Rancocas State Park. It is governed

by NJ State Park Rules and Regula-

tions. A few of those regulations are

found listed below: Note to Self:

1. No Alcohol at ML

2. If you have a dog, clean up its

mess. Dogs must be kept on a

leash.

3. Authorized vehicles only are

allowed on the farm road.

4. No swimming or camping at

Melpine Landing

5. No open or contained fires.

6. Follow NJ Fish and Game

Hunting, Fishing and Trapping

Regulations

7. ML is patrolled by Law Enforce-

ment

“Patience is a Virtue, Seldom Found in Women, never found in men.” (Medford Stations —— Trudy Entwhistle)

Volunteers

Conservation and Vandalism

Volunteers are welcome to head out and

down to ML or out onto the water trail, prop-

er. Lots needs to be done. Trail signs post-

ed, way points marked, the road raked, ML

maintained, writing a newsletter, social me-

dia

If you have the time RP has the need for your

skills. Every thing that everyone does an-

chors on the collaborative approach to the

citizen driven Rancocas Creek National Water

Trail and maintaining the RSP Bluewater Trail

and Initiative. Come check it out.

What does one get as a volunteer? Well lots

of work. Lots of paddling, Lots of thinking

what if? Lots of placing the water trail above

ones self and for the greater good of the

community. One does not get paid as a

volunteer, an occasional free pizza and such.

During the Summer of 2019 Volunteers were

responsible for helping out at community

discussions, cleaning up ML , getting involved

in creek clean-ups, wildlife surveys , rescue

classes and numerous other areas. If you

encounter a water trail volunteer– THANK

them.

A personal thanks and a tip of the hat to eve-

ryone who is helping maintain the Rancocas

Creek Water Trail and other aspects of en-

hanced public access.

Thanks and obliged to all the volunteers who

have been active and remain active and or

just gaining experience on the RC WT. All are

welcome. Volunteers are the lifeblood of the

Rancocas Creek Water Trails.

Contact John Anderson, Director Rancocas

Pathways>>> ingvarja@verizon.net

2

Early summer purposeful vandal-

ism took place along the North

Branch. Graffiti was spray paint-

ed along the creek, Historic Navi-

gation Lights were pulled down,

way point signs removed, water

trail mileage signs destroyed and

the inside of the ML house spray

painted. RP encourages anyone

who encounters vandals to re-

port these actions to the local

police and or State Police. It is

disappointing that individuals

rather then engage in the pro-

cess of gaining NWT designation

took it upon themselves to act

like bone-heads. Lots of hours

from lots of volunteers go into

maintaining the Rancocas Creek

Water Trail. Such purposeful

actions clearly manifest an en-

hanced awareness among multi

users of the RCWT of the value of

stewardship.

Contact Pathways

609-876-3086

Rancocas Creek Community Coalition

In order to influence the direction of the Rancocas Creek towards a National Water Trail designation the

Rancocas Creek Community Coalition has been ramped up. The goal of the RCCC is to share infor-

mation, coordinate advocacy activities and to facilitate community and individual awareness as these

pertain to Best Management Practices (BMP’s) of the Rancocas Creek National Water Trail nomination.

Web site for the RCCC is found at www.rcnwt.com Contact John Anderson at Rancocas Pathways for

further information.

RCCC has been cultivated as a 100% volunteer organization. Social media anchors discussions, forums,

conversations and other actions along the entire Rancocas Creek 360 square mile watershed. RCCC

involves multi-users of the water trail, is apolitical, provides a common ground hub of interest and in-

volvement.

BMP’s , such as heritage way points, community engagement, individual actions, type of and placement

of water trail signs, mapping, conservation, maintenance, risk management, safety and injury control

are the foundation of enhanced public access that leads to improved water quality. The RCCC is mod-

eled on established principles of successful and sustainable grass-root community coalitions. RCCC will

is evolving into a structured organization. Details will be posted. To get involved contact Rancocas

3

Fern Canyon, North Branch

Rancocas State Natural Area

Monroe Street Park Mt. Holly

North Branch

Mill Dam Fireworks July 4th

South Branch

Advocacy for the Rancocas Creek Water Trail

Enhancing Community Engagement

Fostering Collaboration

Improving Public Awareness

Promoting Multi-Use

Red Dawg Historical Facts

Heritage Flows Deep

Lo and behold there on the Rancocas

one finds chunker barges being made

up at the old mid 1800’s Lumberton

boat yard. Chunker barges were 2

barges that were joined w chains. In

narrow tight creek areas such in the

Rancocas tug boats would loosen

chains and thus allow 2 barges to get

tugged around bends. Modeled on

Lehigh Canal Coal Barges.

Red Dawg’s ghost is encountered as

you paddle around the Pine Barre

Headwaters. Here out at Whitesbog

Rancocas Creek punts carried via

water material and forged products

from Hanover and Martha Furnace

to markets . Most likely also local

produce and extractive material.

Research is under weigh to deter-

mine to what extent such move-

ments took place. Thanks to Mike

Tamn to help open the cargo hatch

on such areas of Rancocas Creek

heritage.

Down on the mouth of the Creek

where the Rancocas enters the Dela-

ware River there resides a treasure

trove of heritage. Check out River-

side, Delran and Delanco’s Historical

Society’s websites.

Take time to walk up to and visit the

Burlington County Lyceum of Science

and Natural History. 307 High Street

Mt. Holly. Easy walking to the old

Prison, the Warden s House Art Hugh

Campbell Exhibit , the old Court

House from the 1700’s, downtown

Mt. Holly Shops, Pizza Places, Brew

places, ice cream place and much

more.

Red Dawg said indeed he rode a

chunker up to the Lehigh Canal stop-

ping at Indian quarry sites along the

way.

Autumn Paddling on the Rancocas Creek Water

Trail is tops. An exuberance of colors, an explo-

sion of scents, a blanket of cool winds, and amber

flowing cedar waters dancing w the tides. Fall

paddling and activities are focused on enhanced

public access and promoting water quality of the

Rancocas Creek Watershed. All outside events

held rain or shine.

Check social media platforms, FB or the Rancocas

Pathways Web Site for daily and weekly events

and activities.

Sunday Morning Hawk Island nature tours.

September 29 - Statue of Liberty Paddle, Liberty

State Park. Check out another area to paddle in a

NJ State Park.

October 12/Nov 9/Dec 7th. RP forums at the

Burlington County Lyceum.

Full Moon Harvest and Fall Paddles. Check FB for

date and times. Held rain or shine.

October 6 Burlington County Fall Float Festival.

Check out details on the Burlington County Parks

Website

RP Barnegat Bay Salt Marsh Field Trip on 20 Octo-

ber.

Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend Paddles

Mt. Holly Main Street has a posting of all sorts of

events taking place in and around Mt, Holly.

Likewise too Burlington County Parks. Numerous

groups along the Creek also are holding events.

Check them out. ON Face Book Check out South

Jersey Kayakers, Lehigh Valley Canoe Club, Phila-

delphia Canoe Club and others for their lists of a

Fall Paddles.

Ad-hoc informal paddles take place all Fall. Come

on out and paddle on down.

Paddle down around the Mt. Holly N Branch

Channel and into and around the Oxbow Channel.

400 years of maritime heritage is peeled away as

the tides carry you west into Rancocas State Park

and down to Melpine Landing.

Village Idiot Brew Pub, Vince’s Homemade Ice

Cream, Pizza Joints and more are found 200 feet

away from the side of the Rancocas Creek. Rob-

in’s Nest provides exemplary delicious box lunch-

es for a reasonable fee Order 24 hours in ad-

vance. Live music, good times, welcome refresh-

ments are found along High Street and into the

Mill Race Village. For breakfast hit up Kitchen 87.

Mt. Holly provides a wonderful picture of pad-

dling directly through a National Historic District,

though a community who has embraced the creek

and paddlers.

Taking your pup paddling and you have an issue...

Contact Rancocas Veterinary Associates, Mt.

Holly . 24 hour emergency and routine care.

Large and small animals.

Downstream check out Spell Bound Brewing.

One of Mt. Hollys’ outstanding local brew/ Train

Wreck Distillery is Creekside. Cosmos in the

Center of Town an excellent palace to snag a meal

after kayaking... Like seafood, check out Mt. Hol-

ly’s seafood purveyor.

Summer Schedule of Activities to be posted

4

Stewardship is the foundation of Public Access along the Rancocas Creek Water Trails. RP encourages

visitors to think of the bigger picture. Clean-out trash left by others. Stay away from wildlife. Respect the

wishes and concerns of governmental agencies at landings. We who paddle the Rancocas Creek Watershed

are the waters ambassadors. We provided the catalyst for others tp get involved. We sustain folks inter-

est. Stewardship means you are accountable for ones actions. Leave No Trace when Paddling. Think be-

yond the Paddle. Do you really need to go paddling and disturb rafting ducks ? Or eagles or hawks or her-

ons? Sometimes it is best to sit and watch the world float by. Contact Pathways for specific areas that are

being worked on to enhance public access and promote water quality along the Rancocas

Got Your Rancocas,On?

Online Rancocas Creek “Wishbone” Map Portal

Lots of help went into putting together the online

map portal of the Rancocas Creek “Wishbone”.

Bill R, Max C, Ben F, Steve N., Mike T., Larry Tigar,

Audrey W., Peter F., Arlene P., Leytita T., and

many more helped sweat the process together the

tools needed to bring about this online map. To

them goes a mega huge top of the hat thanks. If

your name was adverted from the list the fault is

mine and mine alone. I do apologize.

Wishbone map portal is an online paddling map of

the Rancocas Creek Tidewater Wishbone.

Mount Holly to Lumberton via Timbuctoo, Wes-

tampton, the Confluence, Mt. Laurel, Hainesport,

and Lumberton. The portal enhances knowledge

and promote a feeling of multi-use, highlights free

public landings, nature sites, way points of natural

history, health, heritage, recreation tailored to

groups and individuals.

Wishbone paddling map portal is scalable to other

phases of the RCWT. This tool that enhances

safety when paddling can be viewed on ones cell

phone. Do not hesitate to contact RP for infor-

mation of areas of the portal and or issues and

concerns that you might have.

Now I am not tech savvy enuff to hyper link be

broached directly from Paddle Notes.

https://rcnwt.com/rancocas-creek-wishbone-

online-map/

RP offers daily, hourly and 1/2 day kayak rentals.

Kayak, insurance, paddle and life jacket are sup-

plied. Experience guides will help you unravel the

mystery’s of kayaking and the Creek’s heritage and

natural history before you launch and paddle on

about. Guides provide an overview of what,

when, where and how to paddle.

5

Rancocas Creek Water Trail Online Map Portal

Rancocas Pathways, a 501c3 organization mission is to manage in a sustainable manner and

fashion the Rancocas State Park Multi-Use Bluewater Trail and the Rancocas Creek National

Water Trail Initiative. RP goal is gain a National Water Trail designation for the Rancocas Creek

and codify into NJ State Law the Rancocas State Park Bluewater Trail.

RP accomplishes the goal using a grass-root citizen driven process to enhance public access along

the Rancocas Creek water trails and improve water quality throughout the 360 square mile

Rancocas Creek watershed.

RP rents kayaks, sells seasonal Rancocas Valley agriculture products, conducts kayak excursions,

consults on water quality issues, fosters individual and community ownership through Adopt a

Creek programs , seminars, workshops and lecture on the Rancocas Creek tidewaters and non-

tidewaters. Check out Rancocas Discovery School at www.rcnwt.com

RP relies on a robust social media platform to help get the word out. Contact RP: 609-876-3086

Check out the web site: www.rcnwt.com or Face Book page.

Got Your Rancocas, On?

Rancocas Pathways Paddle down, Paddle Safe

Rancocas Creek water trail , tidal

segments are multi-use. Extensive

use is found w jetskis and motorize

boats.

A word to the wise for safe paddling.

While you can see PWC and fast

moving boats they may not see you.

Stay clear, stay alert, listen you will

hear them before you see them.

Paddle nice. If you encounter a

PWC at a landing be nice. Share the

ride, Ride the tide.

If you are purposefully run down

contact the NJ State Marine Police

Summer Sales of Rancocas Creek “Jersey Fresh” Produce and Sunflowers was Excellent. Movement

of black berry, blue berry, corn, tomato's, peppers, okra, melons and more was better then past

years. Deer damage exceeded 50% . Sunflower sales were robust. A special tip of the hat to

Jeffreeze Ice Cream Stand down on Rt 9 for allowing such sales. .

Paddle Notes, published every quarter. Zap along any suggestions and or writings on is-

sues for the creek, water quality and public access . All are welcome

Information for Sponsors and Partnerships

Help Support

Enhanced Public Access

and Promote Water

Quality of the Rancocas

Creek

Gain exposure to com-

munities and individuals

who are out paddling and

enjoying being out of

doors, locally

Create and Facilitate

Cross Sector Partner-

ships and Cultivate

Market Nodes

Actions Speak Louder

then Words. Your sup-

port appreciates YOUR

commitment to envi-

ronmental sustainabil-

ity

Create and Facilitate

Cross Sector Partner-

ships and Cultivate

Market Nodes

Increase your reach and

exposure to new busi-

ness customers and op-

erations.

(in 2018 over 1,700 peo-

ple paddled the water

trail)

Contact Pathways for details on sponsorships,

advertisement, involvement and partnerships

Telephone: 609-876-3086

Emil: ingvarja@verizon.net

Benefits of the Rancocas Creek Water Trail

Rancocas Creek Water Trail

Rancocas Creek Water Trail