D&R Greenway Land Trust is hosting kayaking tours of Blacks Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River, from July through September.
Experienced guides will lead along the waterway and teach about local ecosystems and wildlife. Groups will launch the kayaks, provided for paddlers along with safety equipment, from Bordentown Beach in Bordentown. The next tour is scheduled Sunday, July 28 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Blacks Creek is a freshwater tidal stream that acts as the Southern border of Bordentown City. Along the creek sits Lime Kiln Park, which D&R Greenway Land Trust helped preserve by acquiring six parcels of land between 2004 and 2008. Following paddling instruction and practice, participants will paddle to the park on this tidal creek that flows into the Delaware River in Bordentown. Educators will share information on plants, wildlife, birds and history with paddlers.
These kayaking trips are meant for novice paddlers, and first-time paddlers are encouraged to sign up. Trips will be roughly three hours including instructions from an American Canoe Association guide, paddling with a guide and educators, and a tour of the Discovery Center at Point Breeze, a museum dedicated to the history of the area including the Lenape, Joseph Bonaparte, and the natural environment.
“The D&R Greenway Kayak program highlights Bordentown’s rich history, while paddling Blacks Creek’s gentle waters leads to discovering and understanding natural ecosystems with your fellow paddlers,” said Lisa Bruno, program manager. Working alongside a safety guide, Bruno plans trips to provide fun and educational experiences.
This opportunity takes inspiration from the annual Delaware River Sojourn where, for almost 30 years, a weeklong trip down the river teaches many about the wonders of the waterway. D&R Greenway hopes to extend the sentiment of the annual Sojourn to a wider audience.
“The goal of our kayak trips is to inspire people who live in the Delaware River watershed to become involved with protecting the Delaware River and our waterways,” said Linda Mead, president and CEO of D&R Greenway Land Trust.
A founder of the Delaware River Sojourn, she speaks about the experience of being on the river, “You gain a much better appreciation for a river while enjoying the gentle feel of the water and the green views of trees from the seat of a kayak, as compared to driving alongside it. A peaceful paddle on the river can reveal creatures, like the great blue heron, that take your breath away.”
Spots on the trip are limited and registration is required along with a donation to the nonprofit land trust. Please visit www.drgreenway.org for more information on trip dates and how to register.
