The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was established in 1965 for public outdoor education use and for the preservation of scenic, scientific and historic resources. The nearly 70,000-acre National Park Service unit is the eighth most visited national park. The park is located in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania along 37 miles of the Delaware River. In 1998, Friends of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization.
Our Mission -
Our mission is to foster and support the historical, scientific, educational, interpretive, recreational and natural resource management activities of the park. These include: Historical preservation and restoration; educational/cultural programs and acquisitions; and management of artifacts of historical importance. The support takes the form of donated funds and materials and voluntary services for which no government funds or resources are available.
The mission of the National Recreation Area is to provide outdoor recreation opportunities while working cooperatively with surrounding communities and interest groups to achieve conservation goals for the Delaware River region.
Our Visitors -
The park is visited year-round for a multitude of recreational and other uses. Wildlife and birding enthusiasts, geologists, historians and scientists in numerous fields of study are attracted here.
The land lies within the Upper Delaware River Basin, an increasingly fragile area that will face an uncertain future without our help.
What We Hope to Do -
We envision starting new projects while carrying on the existing ones. The Friends board of directors and members welcome your suggestions and your assistance through donations and volunteered time and talents.
Some projects on the drawing board:
- Expand programs for children
- Contribute to the support of historical societies within the park.
- Improve litter control and add bear-proof garbage collection.
- Support archaeological discoveries and preservation of artifacts from the parks past.
