The Tour de Towpath event headquartered at Cadwalader Park in Trenton this Saturday will give residents of all ages good reason to join in the fun, even if they aren’t planning to bike, run, or walk any part of the 70-mile long towpath of the D&R Canal State Park.
Free canoeing and paddle boat rides, a DJ, a bounce-house, and information tables from local nonprofits will be among the activities during a Canal Festival from 9:30 to 3pm at the Cadwalader Park pavilion near the D&R Canal. Weather forecasts call for sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60s this Saturday, October 26.
Up to 50 Trenton residents can register for free for the bike-walk-run event using the promo code “TrentonParks” on the registration website.
“We are thrilled to welcome residents and visitors to Cadwalader Park for the Tour de Towpath celebration,” said Mayor W. Reed Gusciora. “This event not only highlights the beauty of the D&R Canal State Park but also fosters a sense of community through outdoor activities and family fun. Whether you’re biking, running, or enjoying free activities offered by the City of Trenton, there’s something for everyone. Let’s come together to celebrate and appreciate our natural resources.”
The Tour de Towpath was organized by the nonprofit D&R Canal Watch to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the D&R Canal State Park with a noncompetitive bike, run, or walk along part of the 70-mile linear park that is New Jersey’s second most popular park. Particpants can save by pre-registering before midnight Thursday at www.tourdetowpath.org. Sign-ups will also be accepted on-site Saturday morning.
The Tour de Towpath features a flagship 50-mile bicycle ride to Colonial Park in Franklin Township, as well as a 20-mile cycling route to Princeton’s Turning Basin Park, and a 5k fun run/walk. Participants should arrive Saturday between 9 or 9:30 for the 10 am start. Participants, their family members, and spectators will also find a Canal Festival at Cadwalader Park with the following activities:
- Free canoeing and kayaking in the D&R Canal, part of a 10-week program from the Trenton Canoe Club that includes certified lifeguards.
- A state-of-the-art playground overlooking the canal.
- An obstacle course bounce house.
- DJ-supplied music in the pavilion overlooking the canal.
Event sponsors and nonprofit organizations will be offering information and giveways. Exhibitors include: Capital Health, New Jersey American Water, City of Trenton Health Department, East Coast Greenway Alliance, New Jersey Future, New Jersey Conservation Foundation, Delaware Riverkeeper Network, and the 1719 William Trent House.
“The D&R Canal State Park is one of the state’s best outdoor recreation resources. The Tour de Towpath is the perfect way to increase awareness and celebrate the park and its Canal Commission,” said Linda Barth, President of D&R Canal Watch, a nonprofit group that organizes volunteer projects and raises funds for the park. Only New Jersey’s Liberty State Park has more visitors every year than the D&R.”
All pre-registered volunteers and participants will receive an event T-shirt. To register or donate, visit the event website at TourdeTowpath.org. Registration is $50 in advance and $60 the morning of the event; volunteer registration is free. Several “scholarship” registrations have been donated; to request a fee waiver, send an email through the registration platform.
“As New Jersey’s first linear state park, D&R Canal State Park has long been a vital link between communities throughout Central Jersey, drawing nearly a million visitors each year,” said Rebecca Fitzgerald, Administrator of the State Park Service. “Tour de Towpath is a fitting tribute to the legacy of this unique park, allowing participants to explore as much as 50 miles on the park’s beloved towpath.”
“We’re thrilled to support the Tour de Towpath and help mark an important milestone for the D&R Canal State Park,” said Al Maghazehe, President and CEO of Capital Health. “Capital Health and the D&R Canal are woven into the fabric of our region, and we couldn’t be happier to be part of an event that promotes the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve.”
