Overview
Overview of Landmark Towns of Bucks County
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What is a Landmark Towns?
Landmark Towns of Bucks County is a regional economic development initiative of four boroughs along the Delaware Canal and Delaware River—Bristol, Morrisville, Yardley and New Hope, Pennsylvania.
The program’s focus is on the revitalization of these four traditional downtown business districts adjacent to the D&L Trail, and attracting more visitors to use the National Historic Landmark, Delaware Canal, whether for walking, running, cycling or paddling.
Funded by partners on the state and local levels, both public and private, these four community programs began in 2008, following the National Main Street Center’s Four Point Main Street® approach for downtown revitalization. Staffed by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and guided by a Steering Committee of residents, business owners, elected officials and municipal staff, Landmark Towns’ annual work plans have evolved to meet the needs of the communities.
Today, many visual changes are visible, including:
- Downtown building façade restorations
- Sparkling new business signs
- Attractive “Landmark Town” directional signage to local attractions and the Canal trail
- Interpretive and amenity signage along the Canal
- Annual Delaware Canal Festival held in three communities in 2016
- New, updated website for 2016
- Wide distribution of maps of the Delaware Canal section of the D&L Trail
- In-depth data about existing customers through a zip code collection conducted in cooperation with local business associations
- More trail users than ever as the popularity of outdoor recreation grows
- Municipal trails have connected or will be connected to expand the network of biking and walking trails in Bucks County and beyond.
- Promotion of the “loops” created by the Delaware Canal and Delaware and Raritan Canal with their connecting bridges.
- Active participation by stakeholders in the Landmark Towns in the public input for the Delaware Canal Vision Study
- “Tails on the Towpath” curriculum in the Morrisville and Bristol Borough fourth grade classes to teach students about the legacy of the Delaware Canal
- Delaware Canal display at the Bucks County Visitor Center in Bensalem, PA to educate visitors about the history and recreational opportunities along the Canal.
Local borough officials, residents and business people are involved in committees and actively working on improvements in economic development, design and marketing. Strong partnerships with local business associations and chambers, Visit Bucks County, The Circuit, and other groups assure community support and communication.
Calendars of events in each community continue to expand, drawing new visitors and more residents to enjoy these historic downtowns full of wondrous architecture, museums, numerous restaurants and a variety of retail. Stay tuned as the work continues!
Email for more information or phone 215.781.2605 or 610.923.3548 x234.
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