Lehigh Towpath User Interaction Issues?

Hey VMB! I recall similar issues in past years. Thought this (from D&L Trail Tenders) might be of use to some of us:

Trail Tenders and Trail Patrol,

Hi. I had a conversation with a Bethlehem Township police officer this morning in regard to the juvenile activities taking place at the swimming holes .5 mile east of the mule barn in Freemansburg. We have been having problems with trash at the site as well as “socially correct” behavior the juveniles are showing to trail users, especially older trail users.

The officer emphasized more than once that unless people call and lodge a complaint, the police department won’t have reason – or time – to go to the site.

So, here is the Bethlehem Township Plice Dept. daytime number - (610) 814-6426 – for those of you who run into problems with juveniles at the swimming holes. After 5 p.m., call the county number - (610) 330-2200 - and they will relay the information to the Bethlehem Township officers on duty.

We are trying our best to get these kids to show some respect for trail users and also keep the place clean. Right now a lot of trash is being dumped into the dry canal bed opposite the swimming holes. The Trail tenders are not going to clean it up; how we get the kids to police themselves seems to be the question of the day.

Please use the above telephone numbers if you run into problems. Thanks!!

Dennis Scholl | Outreach Coordinator
Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Inc.
2750 Hugh Moore Park Road | Easton, PA 18042
dennis@delawareandlehigh.org
610 923 3548 x225 | delawareandlehigh.org