Dear
Friends,
Good morning. Dorothea Schaefer is a
Herald reader who sent an email suggesting a column about Tinicum Township’s
scenic roadways.
Linda McNeil is the township manager
and was a tremendous help. Tinicum supervisor Gary Pearson identified Bob
Furlong, the President of the Delaware Valley Volunteer Fire Department and
Chairman of the annual Tour de Tinicum. The Tour uses parts of the 8 officially
designated scenic roads in Tinicum.
“There are three covered bridges and
four stream crossings along our scenic roads,” McNeil began. “We have 18 miles
of dirt roads [or modified surface roads] which are ideal for hiking or
biking.” She noted that the police and neighborhood watch groups are very
protective of the water crossings and constantly patrol them. Residents worry
about water quality ratings so all-terrain vehicles are prohibited.
Tinicum has an elaborate scenic road
ordinance, which the township established in 1989. A commission (composed of
one Tinicum supervisor, the road master and a representative from each of the 8
scenic roads) enforces the rules. Some of the restrictions are: buildings may
not exceed two stories; scenic roads can’t be widened or realigned; communication
towers aren’t permitted; trees can’t be cut down.
McNeil identified the 8 scenic
roads: Ervin Road (1.3 miles); Sheephole Rd. (1 mile); Tabor Rd. (.29 miles);
Mt. Airy Rd. (1.24 miles); Ridge Valley Rd. (1 mile); Tankhannen Rd. (lower
section); Bunker Hill Rd. (.86 miles); and Tettemer Rd. (.7 miles). Maps are
available if you call
She provided a map showing the
Delaware River, canal, creeks and roads. Tinicum has a web page www.tinicumbucks.org.
According to Tinicum’s open space plan and inventory of open space resources,
“The most panoramic, 360-degree scenic vista occurs in the geographic heart of
the township, at the Van Sant Airport site.”
I had forgotten how old Tinicum is.
The 1993 Comprehensive Plan states that the township was formed in 1738
although Europeans began settling it in the late 1600’s. The Delaware Canal
opened in 1832 bringing with it the creation of villages like Point Pleasant,
Smithtown, Erwinna, and Uhlerstown.
McNeil believes that the Tour de
Tinicum is a novel way to explore the scenic roads and vistas of the township.
Furlong says the event is organized along five tours, varying from leisurely
[for family riding] to endurance tours.
“The best part is that riders are
not on their own,” Furlong added. “Volunteers patrol the roads and help at rest
stops where riders find toilet facilities, water and fruit. Medical units are
on the roads too. And we have mechanics at the Erwinna fire house to fix flat
tires and make mechanical repairs.”
July 30 marks the sixth Tour, which should raise
several thousand dollars for the Fire Company. They need volunteers. Call
Whether it’s by bike or car, exploring
Tinicum is great fun. Thank you Dorothea Schaefer for s uggesting
this column.
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith
PS.
Here are two corrections. First, in the column about Judges Hart and John Rufe,
I incorrectly wrote that Hart served 17 years on the Bucks County bench. It was
27 years. And Pam Siegel from Frenchtown wrote that Frenchtown was known
originally as Sunbeam, not Sunnyside as my subject, Dr. Harry Light, reported
in the Jan. 26 edition. Ms. Siegel suggests reading the History of Frenchtown by
Clarence Fargo.
(Please
add how readers can reach me)