State Sen. John Yudichak kicked off his Senator Takes a Hike initiative. He pledged to walk the D&L Trail, the longest in Pennsylvania
By Tom Waring
The Times
State Sen. John Yudichak kicked off his Senator Takes a Hike initiative in Bristol Borough last week with Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor Executive Director Elissa Garofalo and Bristol Borough Council officials.
Dunn and Yudichak spoke at the Delaware River waterfront to highlight the 30th anniversary of the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor that runs 165 miles from Bristol Borough to Wilkes-Barre.
Yudichak pledged to walk the D&L Trail, the longest in Pennsylvania, if the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl.
“What started as a fun idea to help urge the Eagles on to victory has turned into a great opportunity to raise awareness for the beautiful D&L Trail,” Yudichak said. “With every step in the hike, I will be walking in the footsteps of the men and women who mined the coal, who built the canals and railroads, and who worked in the mills. These working families were the underdogs of the American Industrial Revolution and as we celebrate the D&L Trail, we honor the men and women who built America on the strength of Pennsylvania Industrial might.”
Dunn said, “I congratulate the senator for taking on this formidable task while drawing attention to a project that has been many years in the making and is a demonstrated economic stimulus to the area. Like Sen. Yudichak, DCNR has been a longtime supporter of this trail, which is steeped in history and winds through two state parks and three state forest districts.”
Under the guidance of the D&L Trail team, Yudichak began his hike in Bristol and will finish up at the River Commons Park later this summer in Wilkes-Barre. He plans to alternate between hiking and biking until he completes all 165 miles.
“Sen. Yudichak’s journey illustrates the good that can happen when over 140 of Pennsylvania’s 2,562 municipalities work toward a common goal: 92 percent of the 165-mile D&L Trail is now connected and it is becoming an economic driver fueling heritage tourism, small businesses and a key element for accessible wellness activities. This trail follows the historic route of anthracite from the mines of northeastern Pennsylvania to markets in the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia. As it heads north along the Delaware Canal Towpath section, its value continues.” Garofalo said.
Bristol Borough Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said, “Bristol Borough’s motto is Welcome Friend, and we are pleased to welcome Sen. Yudichak, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, D&L National Heritage Corridor Executive Director Elissa Garofalo and everyone here today participating in the first leg of the senator’s journey. On behalf of Borough Council, mayor and residents, we wish Sen. Yudichak luck as he begins his hike.”
For more information on Yudichak’s journey on the D&L Trail, visit senatoryudichak.com/takeahike ••
