Bordentown Heritage conducted a tour of Bordentown City and Delaware & Raritan Canal footbridge on October 8, 2011 for the NJ Chapter of the American Planners Association. It was an ideal fall day. Planning professionals from throughout New Jersey were guided on a tour of City historic sites, recent projects, and monuments and memorials.

The tour started at the “John Bull” railroad monument on the corner of Farnsworth Avenue and Railroad Avenue. The monument commemorates the Pennsylvania Railroad’s 50th anniversary of the start of New Jersey’s first railroad. This year, we will mark the 180th anniversary with a weekend full of activities called Bordentown Railroad Days on November 12 and 13, 2011.

Sam Surtees, Bordentown Heritage Trustee and West Windsor Township professional planner highlighted City planning efforts over the last ten years, the recent work on the Railroad Avenue Promenade, and New Jersey Transit RiverLine passenger railroad.

William Collum, retired mayor of Bordentown City and President of Bordentown Heritage Board of Trustees, presented on the veterans memorial and Joseph Bonaparte’s estate.

Dr. Michael Skelly, Bordentown Heritage Executive Director, discussed local history, nature, outstanding architecture, and how the City developed over time.

The tour stopped at the Thomas Paine Monument and the revolutionary war naval monument. It finished with a visit to the Delaware and Raritan Canal state park footpath and new footbridge. The D&R pedestrian bridge and footpath make it possible to walk or ride a bike between Bordentown City and Trenton while viewing bald eagles and other natural features of the Bordentown-Hamilton-Trenton Marsh.

After the tour the planners had a delightful lunch on the deck of one of Bordentown City’s restaurants.