OCSJ Supports Crosswicks Watershed

By Jennifer Scutellaro; Correspondent

The NEW EGYPT PRESS, June 28, 2007.

Once again, a group of environmentalists were cleaning up Oakford Lake, also known as Crosswicks Creek.

As usual they found strollers, in addition to other items, much as other clean-up crews did a couple of years ago. Only this time this group also sawed trees hanging over the water and cleared out brush, and more.

The project concluded this past Sunday as many of the participants, and others, filled the lake with canoes intending to take a long adventure.

"The township is absolutely thrilled with the effort and work to make it navigable," said Deputy Mayor Ken Francis. He was present along with members of the Outdoor Club of South Jersey (OCSJ) who were preparing for a big adventure.

"The ultimate goal is to have a Crosswicks Water-shed Group," said George Fluck of the OCSJ who explained the paddlers are the eyes that see and can notify others at a site that is filled with debris. "The bridge has a lot of debris (could also be any other bridge) and we will be working with the Monmouth County Road Department," said Fluck.
 

He mentioned neglect could cause a bridge to wash out and road to decay.
It is 25 miles from Oak-ford Lake to the Delaware River which is on the other side of Bordentown.

"We want to see New Egypt become a destination. To become a canoe/kayak friendly town," said Fluck. The community of New Egypt could clean up and clear every year and thereby take pride in this effort.

On the agenda this day was for the 35 participants to eat breakfast at Tooties. Then, they'd canoe up Oakford Lake to a designation with a shuttle.

Afterwards, they'd come back for lunch. Deputy Mayor Ken Francis would meet with everyone at noon for continued talk, ideas or planning. Then, they paddled to the next bridge. Around 2:30 they ended up at Walnford Park and gathered for a tour of the historic mansion and grounds. There was also a fiddler present helping to create the ideal atmosphere.

This group idea occurred when Jim Shields, member of the Crosswicks Creek and Doctors Creek Greenway Planning Group met with George and Vice President of OCSJ Leona Fluck. Some canoe members traveled over an hour for this event and were from NJ and Pennsylvania.

There are already 2000 members of the OCSJ which can be reached on-line at www.ocsj.org . Every fourth (4th) Monday of the month members of the environmental groups from every municipality along the Crosswicks Creek watershed meet at the Allentown Public Library. Members are from N.E., Plumsted Township all the way to the Delaware River at Bordentown City.
 

See additional Photos in the Canoeing Section PHOTO Gallery