D & H Canal Park at Lock 31

The D&H Canal Park at Lock 31 has 16 beautiful acres to explore. The site features the historic Daniels Farmhouse (circa 1820s), the D&H Canal, and Canal lock 31. Throughout the park you can read the many interpretive signs giving a brief history of the site. A walk along the towpath reveals many local tree varieties (some rare!), scenic views and many species of wildlife living along the Lackawaxen River. The newly built ADA accessible pavilion in the bed of the canal features a life sized exhibit of the interior of a canal boat cabin. The pavilion is available for rental. Call (570) 253-3240 for further information.

The park is open dawn to dusk.

The Delaware & Hudson Canal is a 108-mile-long civil engineering achievement, built over three years largely by hand. The D&H Canal was conceived by the Wurts brothers as a means to transport anthracite coal from their Pennsylvania mines to the Hudson River at Kingston, New York, from where it was shipped downriver to New York City. This 108-lock waterway operated from 1828 until 1898. After 70 years of operation it no longer was practical to transport the coal and other materials on the canal when compared to using the railroads. In 1898 the last coal boat made the trip from Honesdale to Kingston. After the canal was closed it was drained and the canal land was sold and split up.

Click here for park history page.

If you would like more information on the park and its events, please contact the Wayne County Historical Society (570-253-3240) or scroll down this page for out latest park newsletter and upcoming events.

We need sponsors for our 8th Annual Canal Festival !

You can download the form below by either draging it too your desktop or right clicking on the image, selecting "save image to" and saving the image to your computer

Canal festival sponsorship 2021 copy.jpg

Spring 2021 Newsletter

by Sally Talaga, Canal Park Committee Secretary, sltalaga@gmail.com

Pavilion’s canal “boat” cabin and details
Before winter arrived, volunteers enclosed most of the north end of the pavilion, providing secure storage for grounds maintenance equipment. Donated rider and push mowers were then moved inside. A replica of an interior of a canal boat cabin is now viewable through a large window from the south side of the enclosure. Electric service to the building and canal “boat” details will soon be added by professional contractors. Click here for slideshow of pavilion progress and projected completion.

Lock House Restoration – Last fall volunteers installed additional supports from the basement to two dance hall ‘s sagging beams, bringing the building closer to obtaining its Certificate of Occupancy.

Electrical Plan - its approval and installation has not yet been accomplished.

Plaster repairs - will hopefully still be done this year by professional restorers.

Six over six window sashes - Salvaged from a soon to be demolished Honesdale home, eighteen six over six window sashes are now ready to replace non-original two over two sashes, in nine of first floor windows. Volunteers were able to reuse most of the original glass panes after layers of paint were removed from the frames. Hopefully, we will soon be able to do the same to the remaining sashes, thereby restoring the lock house’s exterior to its original appearance.

2021 Calendar of Events

April 17, 9 AM, sign in - Tree Harvest. Eighteen dead or dying ash trees along the Towpath Trail will be professionally taken down prior. If you can safely operate a chain saw or assist those doing so, we can really use your help. Those who do, are welcome to any of the wood.

May 1, 9 AM sign in to noon - Spring Clean-up. Barbeque lunch will be provided to those who help pick up trash, rack the grass, weed the flower beds, clear trails & more.

May 15, 10 AM & 2 PM – Spring Guided Walk, $15.00/person, due time of registration via www.WayneHistoryPA.org, 25 person limit/walk

August 21 10 AM – 4PM – 8th Annual Canal Festival Help make this popular event possible by donating two hours or becoming a sponsor.

October 9, 10 AM & 2 PM - Fall Guided Walk, $15.00/person, due at time of registration via www.WayneHistoryPA.org, 25 person limit/walk

October 9, 4:30 – Annual Friends of Canal Park Appreciation Dinner & Meeting – You’re a friend of the park if you donated your time and/or financially supported one of its many projects.

CLICK HERE FOR PARK RULES / PHOTOGRAPHY RULES / PAVILLION RENTAL RULES AND FORM

Accessibility Notes

Canal Park has handicap-accessible parking and ADA approved blue stone side walks leading to the Daniel's Farmhouse. Foot bridge over Lock 31 and towpath are wheelchair accessible.