RANCOCAS CREEK Eco - Tour Water Trail Paddle Guide Slack Water Tide Centerton Bridge, NJ Main Stream , Rancocas Creek

“Let Us Begin this Descriptive Tour of the Rancocas Creek, as both Shores will be under our eyes at once” 1893 Rancocas Creek Rancocas Paddle Guide

NJ’s Blueway’s Paddling Trails Model Understanding NJ’s Blueway’s Paddling Trails Model Water Trails Are Greenways w/ Specific Access Points and other recreation opportunities. Goal: Build a broad understanding of paddle trails and economic benefit to the community to which a paddle trail passes.

Site of Present Day – Westampton’s - Nature Center Understanding 1776 Site of McIlvaine Farm Site of Present Day – Westampton’s - Nature Center Riverside Mt. Holly Map of Rancocas Creek Captain J. Wald - 1776 Rancocas Paddle Guide

North Branch Sailing Shallop Destinations Rancocas Creek 1) Paddling Trail is a Greenway that serves to attract visitors and acts as destination for environmental, cultural and historical attractions. Off-Load Areas Pine St. Mt. Holly, NJ Iron Works Park Mt. Holly, NJ Put-In Location Rancocas Creek To Rt. 38 Put-In Location North Branch Sailing Shallop 1700’s Rancocas Creek Iron Works Park Mt. Holly, NJ Pine St. Mt. Holly, NJ Jug-Handle Rt. 206 Vincentown Diner RT. 38 Mt. Holly, NJ RT. 38 Mt. Holly, NJ Rancocas Paddle Guide

Mt. Holly has a 4 to 6 Foot Tide Destinations General Parking Iron Works Park Mt. Holly, NJ Mt. Holly has a 4 to 6 Foot Tide Put-In Parking Launch Exposed at Low Tide Mt. Holly Leaving Kayak Launch on High Tide Downstream Timbucto Westampton State Park Nature Center County Parks Open River Tidal Paddle Take-Out Rancocas Paddle Guide

Destinations 1870’s Boat Hook from the Tug Minerva Courtesy of Mt. Holly Library 2) Paddle Trail Brings New Visitor Spending That Benefits Local Economies Mt. Holly’s Rancocas Creek Maritime History Mt. Holly, Shallow Drafting River Sailing Scow Late 1800’s Rancocas Paddle Guide

WESTAMPTON, NJ Grist Mill Revolutionary War Site Nature Center Destinations WESTAMPTON, NJ Grist Mill Revolutionary War Site Rancocas Village Nature Center Rancocas State Park Mt. Holly Iron Works Park Start of Paddle Trail <<< Trail Tidal Marsh Long Bridge County Park Timbuctoo Point Confluence of North and South Branch

State Park Beaver Lodge Destinations Long Bridge County Park Landing Rancocas Creek Entry Rancocas State Park Woodland Views Rancocas State Park State Park Beaver Lodge Rancocas Paddle Guide

Atlantic Coastal Plain Destinations Westampton’s Historic Timbuctoo, Courtesy of Nature Center Wall Mural Marsh Environment and Eco-Systems Atlantic Coastal Plain Fresh & Oligohaline Tidal Marshes Rancocas Paddle Guide Marsh Ecology

Which One Doesn’t Belong ? Destinations Nature Center Landing Trail Marker #19 Which One Doesn’t Belong ? High Tide Rancocas Paddle Guide

North Branch Rancocas Creek Ecology Destinations North Branch Rancocas Creek Ecology Old Grist Mill Revolutionary War Site Tidal Marsh Cedar Swamp Run Rancocas Paddle Guide Creek Side Nature Center Landing

3) Paddling Trail Fosters “Regional Destination Appeal 3) Paddling Trail Fosters “Regional Destination Tourism”, “Stewardship” & Creates “Expanded Visitor Appeal” Cedar Swamp Run Westampton Rancocas Paddle Guide

Early Fall Beech Beach Rancocas State Park Rancocas Paddle Guide Appeal Early Fall Beech Beach Rancocas State Park Rancocas Paddle Guide

Investment in a Regional Paddle Trail and Supporting Visitor Services Collaboration Investment in a Regional Paddle Trail and Supporting Visitor Services “Lost” on a Lazy Day 4) Paddle Trails Catalyze Partnerships, Collaboration and Cooperation Confluence Sand-Bar Rancocas Paddle Guide

South and North Branch Rancocas Creek Open Tidal Water Paddling Confluence of the South and North Branch Rancocas Creek Collaboration Support Centerton Bridge North Branch of the Rancocas Creek Access to Mt. Holly and Westampton Open Tidal Water Paddling South Branch of the Rancocas Creek Access to Hainesport and Lumberton Rancocas Paddle Guide

Safety Issues for Tidal Paddlers Collaboration Support Be Alert for Other Boats and Ships, especially on the Delaware River. The Lower Rancocas is home to fast moving jet-skis and rapid fast boats. Stay Clear of Such Vessels. Paddle in the near-shore tidal zone. Ships, Boats and Tugs Generate large and at time dangerous wakes. Be aware of the changing tide. The tide reverses its flow direction four times a day. Kayakers on the Tidal Delaware Should be Experienced. Open canoes without flotation are not recommended. Do not paddle or boat alone. Stay visible to other boaters. Be alert for things behind you. Watch for floating debris, Especially after up-river and local rain storms. Much of the river is urbanized. Piers and river traffic present obstacles. Be prepared for changes in climate, wind forces, tidal currents, and other natural hazards whose risks are mitigated by your action and preparation. Stay clear of river oriented security risk areas. Be able to communicate w/ others while paddling. 17 Rancocas Paddle Guide 17-23

DOWNSTREAM OF CENTERTON BRIDGE OPEN TIDAL WATER PADDLING Collaboration Support DOWNSTREAM OF CENTERTON BRIDGE OPEN TIDAL WATER PADDLING Bridgeboro Narrows Confluence Open Tidal Water Paddling Centerton Bridge Rancocas Paddle Guide

Open Tidal Water Paddle HAS Increased Hazards and Risks Collaboration Support Open Tidal Water Paddle HAS Increased Hazards and Risks Confluence Open Tidal Water Paddling Section 1: Centerton Bridge Mill Creek Park Section 2: Willingboro Rancocas Paddle Guide

Burlington County’s “Blueway “ Paddling Trail Collaboration Support Mill Creek Ecology Creek Side Agriculture Burlington County’s “Blueway “ Paddling Trail

1930 State of NJ Aerial Survey Westampton/Rancocas/Willingboro Collaboration Support Burlington 1930 State of NJ Aerial Survey Westampton/Rancocas/Willingboro Charleston Mill Creek Westampton Willingboro Willingboro Rancocas Westampton Rancocas Creek State Park

Open Tidal Water Paddling Collaboration Support Route 130 Mill Creek Park Open Tidal Water Paddling Warning Rapid, Fast Tidal – Currents Section 3: Bridgeboro Narrows Rancocas Paddle Guide

Above , Under and Past Bridge Collaboration Support Details of Bridgeboro Narrows RAPID, FAST CURRENTS Above , Under and Past Bridge Willingboro Rt. 130 Fenton Island Open Tidal Water Paddling Bridgeboro Bridge Bridgeboro Rancocas Paddle Guide

5) Paddling Trail Encourages Local Entrepreneurship Commerce 5) Paddling Trail Encourages Local Entrepreneurship Take-Out Lightning Jack’s Marina, Riverside NJ 4 Hours from Mt. Holly’s Iron Work’s Park Put-In Location Landing Basin Down Creek Rancocas Paddle Guide

Open Tidal Water Paddling Lightning Jack’s Marina Commerce Open Tidal Water Paddling Hawk Island Recommended Take-Out Lightning Jack’s Marina Amico Island Burlington County Park Bridgeboro Road Laycock Street Section 4: Lower Section of the Rancocas Creek Take-Out Location <<< One Mile >>> State Highway Route 130 Willingboro Bridgeboro Rancocas Paddle Guide Page 25

Lightning Jack’s Marina Commerce Laycock Street Lightning Jack’s Marina Lightning Jack’s Driveway Ramp Office Amico Island Burlington County Park Restaurant Lightning Jack’s Daily and Season Pass Ramp Fee’s Waterfront Restaurant Repair and Storage Facilities On-Site Parking Delaware River Rancocas Paddle Guide

Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware River Rancocas Paddle Guide Commerce Amico Island Burlington County Park Delaware River Emergency Landing Only Low Tide-Mud Flat New Jersey Lightning Jack’s Rancocas Paddle Guide

Lightning Jacks >>>> Paddle Lightning Jacks >>>> 2 to 3 Hours R/T Paddle Time No Creek Access Paddle No Waterfront Access Paddle Paddle 28

Burlington County’s, Amico Island Park Riverside, NJ Hawk Island NJ Rancocas Creek Delaware River Pennsylvania From the North Overlook Rancocas Creek on the Delaware River Convergence 6) Paddle Trail Connects, Engages and Cultivates a Community Sense of Pride and Well-Being 29

Rancocas Creek “Blueway” Trail Rancocas Paddle Guide Amico Island Park Delaware River Cinnaminson, NJ