New Visitor Center Planned for Bucks County State Park

Bucks County’s Delaware Canal State Park is getting a new visitor's center, state officials announced Tuesday.

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is proceeding with plans to construct a new park office and visitor center for Delaware Canal State Park in New Hope—the midpoint of the 59-mile canal.

The visitor center, which will include a gift shop, exhibit space and multi-media area, will be adjacent to Lock 11 and the Lock Tender’s House, which is operated by the Friends of Delaware Canal. 

This project is part of Enhance Penn’s Woods—a two-year, more than $200-million effort to repair and improve Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.

“This is not only an improvement to Delaware Canal State Park but it will enhance tourism in New Hope by attracting visitors during off-peak times by adding an opportunity for visitors to learn and explore the Delaware Canal, a designated National Historic Landmark,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Ellen Ferretti.

“The location also will benefit the park by increasing its visibility and helping to develop new supporters and partnerships that could benefit the park long term,” she added.

“Educators from the park currently have no covered shelter to host groups; this limits our programming options.  With this new facility the state park interpretive and education program will be enhanced significantly,” said Delaware Canal State Park Manager Rick Dalton. “DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks is looking forward to pursuing new programming and partnership opportunities at the new location.”

DCNR will work with the Department of General Services to complete a design and prepare a timeline for construction. Total costs of the project are will be available after the project is released for a competitive bid, state officials said.