OUR VISION

OUR VISION

The Lackawanna Chapter has begun the process of returning the Delaware Water Gap station and its river side park site to a useful place in the economic sphere of northeast Pennsylvania. We have developed an overall plan that we feel addresses the many possibilities we see for this undeveloped resource. Although the station is separated from the town by Interstate 80, historic, cultural, and recreational linkages exist. It is by exploiting these links that this resource can become an economic asset to the borough of Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County, and Northeast Pennsylvania.

Potential uses for the Delaware Water Gap site include:

MUSEUM

A permanent exhibit of the history of the Borough, the growth of the Pocono Mountains tourist industry, and the part the railroad played in its development. Periodic exhibits of local cultural, historical, and artistic worth, and as a repository for historic documents and artifacts.

MEETING FACILITY

For any civic group needing a public meeting site, as well as educational, historical, or environmental groups.

PARK & PICNIC SITE

As a Borough or county river side park, families, canoeists, fishermen, hikers, and others would have river side access.

CULTURAL EVENTS HOST SITE

As an additional site for Delaware Water Gap's Celebration of the Arts jazz festival, as well as for art shows, antique shows, car shows, or any group needing an indoor/or outdoor venue.

HIKING TRAILS

A short trail through the station property would connect the Appalachian Trail with the Delaware River National Recreation Area's McDade Trail, and the Brodhead Greenway Corridor Trail, all meeting at the new I-80 Delaware Water Gap Visitor's Center.

RAILROAD STATION

With the start up of scheduled service, as a day trip destination from the New York City area to the village of Delaware Water Gap to shop, dine, recreate, visit museums, etc. Situated on the line from Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, the potential for a premier tourist operation through the Pocono area to the Water Gap station will exist.

DESIGN PHASES

This project can be divided into three phases. Although it is helpful to see them as proceeding in the described order, they may occur in a different order, or all at the same time, as circumstances dictate.

PHASE ONE

Part A
Restoration of the exterior building envelope. This would include drainage, bricks and mortar, all roofing and millwork, and surface finishing.

Part B
Restoration of the interior. This would include adaptive re-use of the interior while maintaining the historic fabric of the rooms.

PHASE TWO

The development of the station property into a public space. This would include entering into negotiations with the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission for the use of a section of land opposite the station for a parking area, a location to bring services underground into the station, and to widen the roadway for emergency vehicle access. A retaining wall faced with brick in a manner in keeping with the station architecture would be necessary, and would serve as a mounting structure for lighting. Appropriate fencing to control access to the track and park beyond would be established at the appropriate places.

PHASE THREE

The return of the railroad owned section of land between the track and the Delaware River to its historic use as a river side park. Presently part of the Norfolk Southern Corporation's right of way, Monroe County has a lease purchase agreement for this right of way within the county. With this purchase accomplished, funding for the restoration of the river side park will be sought. Preserved river side land would then extend from the I-80 Delaware River Bridge to the Smithfield Township Park next to the new visitor's center.

Access to this land was historically from a level crossing at the west end of the station property. This crossing could be used again, or it could be moved to the east end of the property to give a longer line of sight, for safety reasons. Otherwise a pedestrian bridge could be built at the station, or at the point on the station drive where the embankment is high enough to clear the top of a train.

STATION SITE MAP

	The station is located at the foot of Oak Street in the Borough of Delaware Water Gap. To its west and south are preserved lands of the Delaware River National Recreation Area and the Borough of Delaware Water Gap. Across the Delaware River is New Jersey's Worthington State Forest. Adjacent to the station on the west and north are lands of the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, with their I-80 toll plaza embankment to the west. North of this are park and preserved lands of Smithfield Township and the Borough of Delaware Water Gap. To get there by car from the south, take I-80 across the Delaware River Bridge to Exit 310, Delaware Water Gap. Bear right off the exit to come to the light at Broad Street. Go right onto Broad Street and then left at the light onto Main Street, PA Route 611. Go one short block and left onto Oak Street. At the stop sign go left to continue on Oak Street, across the highway bridge and down to the station. From the south on PA 611,as you enter Delaware Water Gap village, look for Waring Drive on your right and turn right. Bear right where Oak Street comes in from the left, and cross the highway and continue down to the station. From the north on I-80 take exit 310, which becomes Broad Street. Go down Broad Street to the second light, turn left onto PA 611, then left onto Oak Street. Go left again at the stop sign, and proceed down to the station. Coming from the north on PA 611, as you come down the hill into the village go straight through the light to the left onto Oak Street, and follow the directions above from there.



Spring, 1999 Artist's rendition, future station park

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