Take a Slow Journey Back in Time
Exploring the Delaware River Heritage Trail
Ask Peter Osborne a Port
Jervis resident and executive director of
The Minisink Valley Historical Society,
about his favorite things to do in the Tri-State
region. Most likely, one of his top picks
will be exploring the Delaware River Heritage
Trail.
The Delaware River Heritage Trail was originally
created in 1993. It was built with residents
and tourists in mind, aware of their appreciation
for the city’s historic sites and river
vistas immortalized in photographs, songs,
paintings and literature.
Thanks to a Community Investment Grant in
1996 from Orange & Rockland Utilities,
the society was able to double the length
of the trail to nearly six miles, improve
the markers, and enhance the route to include
all of the city’s most important historic
sites.
In 2006 the City of Port Jervis received a
grant to upgrade the trail from New York through
the offices of New York State Senator John
Bonacic. New directional signage was added,
along with ADA (Americans with Disabilities
Act) facilities.
The refurbished trail was dedicated last September
in conjunction with the publication of a companion
guide by the Minisink Press, the historical
society’s own imprint.
"We have three spectacular views of the
river tied together with most of the city’s
historic sites," says Osborne. He continues,
"It was a complex effort requiring the
cooperation of lots of people."
The new and improved Delaware River Heritage
Trail is now the longest municipally owned
trail along the Upper Delaware River, and
can be accessed on foot, by bike or by car.
Three sections of the trail are completely
ADA-compliant. The section between Ferry Street
and Water Street, the short section in Riverside
Park, and the route within the Laurel Grove
Cemetery are all blacktopped, level and wide
enough for a wheelchair.
The rest of the trail is located on sidewalks,
packed dirt paths and roadways with all of
the various challenges that one might encounter
including uneven sidewalks, no curb cuts and
steep inclines. There are ADA-compliant parking
spaces at the entrance to the West End Beach,
Lumber Street and River Road and at the western
entrance to Laurel Grove Cemetery.There is
a handicapped-accessible bathroom at the West
End Beach Park which is open when the park
is open.
| Highlights from the Delaware River Heritage
Trail Guide: |
The trail begins at Fort Decker at
127 West Main Street. Standing on the
porch with your back to the building,
turn right and proceed to Ferry Street
where you will make a left, then along
River Road to Water Street. From Water
Street the trail continues on to Pike
Street where it turns left and then
right onto King Street at the traffic
light. Follow King Street into Riverside
Park. At Riverside Park the trail goes
to the ballfield, up to the dike, and
loops back out of the park. Be sure
to go up onto the dike, and see the
wonderful view of the bend in the river,
and New Jersey’s High Point monument
in the distance.
The trail then follows King Street back
out to Pike Street, makes a right turn,
goes through the underpass, and loops
back around to the right then makes
a left onto Front Street which becomes
Jersey Avenue. Follow Jersey Avenue
to East Main Street. At East Main Street,
make a right turn; follow East Main
to South Street and then make a right
turn and proceed to the western entrance
of the Laurel Grove Cemetery and Delaware
Drive.
There it follows Delaware Drive to Tri-States
Rock at the junction of the Delaware
and Neversink Rivers, where the states
of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
meet.
The trail then exits the cemetery along
Neversink Road and the Neversink River
onto East Main Street. Bear left and
follow East Main Street until Sussex
Street where you will make a left. Then
turn right at Broome Street, passing
through Orange Square and continuing
across Pike Street. Follow Broome Street
to Canal Street. At Canal Street turn
right for one block then left onto West
Main Street. Follow West Main Street
back to Fort Decker. |
The illustrated 40-page guide is filled with
fascinating vintage photos and drawings, a
map of the trail and a history of the area.
It is available free of charge through the
offices of the city, the Tri-State Chamber
of Commerce, local businesses and, of course,
The Minisink Valley Historical Society. For
$4.95 to cover postage and handling, the historical
society can send you a copy of the brochure.
Call 845-856-2375 or send an e-mail message
to history@minisink.org
Along The Way...
As you wend your way along the heritage
trail, why not stop for a bit of rest
and repast at one the city’s historic
establishments. They offer a variety
of cuisines, and dining styles. What’s
more, each one has its own character
and personality. Here are just a few
suggestions to whet your appetite. We
encourage you to explore the area and
seek out your personal favorites.
The Erie Hotel and Restaurant,
9 Jersey Avenue,
845-858-4100
Since the late 1800s, this establishment
has been catering to travelers and area
residents alike. Diners can enjoy lunch
and dinner 7 days a week among a historic
setting decorated with railroad memorabilia.
During the warm-weather months, there
is also seating outdoors on the restaurant’s
open-air, canopied patio. The classic
American menu includes roasted, grilled
and barbecued meats, seafood, salads
and specialty sandwiches, as well as
a children’s menu.
Gino’s Tavern & Restaurant,
28 Pike Street,
845-856-3965
Housed in a landmark building, this
cozy family-owned eatery has been operating
for 83 years, through four generations.
Known for authentic Italian cuisine
and excellent steaks, Gino’s also
serves up Cajun-inspired dishes. Open
for dinner from 4 p.m., Wednesdays through
Mondays and from 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Closed Tuesdays.
The Cornucopia Restaurant, 176
Route 209,
845-856-5361
Celebrating its 30th year in business,
this warm and comfortable restaurant,
once a hotel, offers German and continental
dishes. There are daily specials, a
salad bar, and a children’s menu.
In honor of the Cornucopia’s birthday,
patrons can look forward to daily surprises
and prizes, as well as festive events,
throughout the season. Lunch, Wednesdays
and Saturdays only, noon to 4 p.m.;
dinner, Tuesdays through Saturdays,
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday dinner, 1 p.m.
to 8 p.m.
Restaurant at 20 Front Street,
20 Front Street,
845-856-8955
This handsome new restaurant, housed
in a restored bank building, features
casual yet upscale dining in a unique
setting. Owners Mike Ey and Daniel Weber,
also the executive chef, have preserved
the bank’s antique Tiffany clock
and original marble floors. The menu
focuses on new American cuisine with
a casual twist, and is based on fresh
organic ingredients. The open kitchen
design provides an element of entertainment
by allowing diners to watch their meals
being prepared. Dinner, Mondays through
Saturdays, from 4 p.m. and Sundays from
2 p.m.
Riverside Creamery, 5 Water
Street, 845-856-8560
A restored 1950s ice cream parlor, the
Riverside Creamery was originally established
by the nearby Flo-Jean Restaurant in
1949.The Creamery remained open until
the mid ‘60s and was then closed
for 25 years. In 1999, the business
was revived under new ownership. Customers
can relive days gone by enjoying egg
crèmes and ice cream sodas dispensed
from the original soda fountain, or
sample a treat from the five-page ice
cream and dessert menu. Open 7 days
a week: Mondays through Fridays, 12
to 10 p.m.; weekends, 12 to 11 p.m.
Flo-Jean Restaurant, Water Street,
845-856-6600
The Pike Street portion of this building
once served as the toll house for a
suspension bridge that spanned the Delaware
River at this spot. Portions of the
Flo-Jean property were once known as
Kirk’s Grove, a recreational picnic
area, and popular spot for band concerts
and orchestras. The restaurant itself
is well-known and has had many noted
visitors, including Thomas E. Dewey
and Hugh Carey, New York State Governors,
and Babe Ruth, Bing Crosby and James
Cagney. It offers casual and affordable
riverside dining indoors amid authentic
Victorian ambience, and outdoors on
a deck surrounded by awesome scenic
views. Flo-Jean traditionally opens
in mid-May for the warm-weather season.
Call for further information. |
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