Brennan & Santarsiero secure $246,500 for Solebury Twp. boat launch to aid in rescue efforts
Lawmakers continue advocacy for better warnings around wing dam
Rep. Tim Brennan October 21, 2024 | 4:46 PM
DOYLESTOWN, Oct. 21 – State Rep. Tim Brennan and state Sen. Steve Santarsiero, both D-Bucks, met recently with Bucks County officials at New Hope Eagle Volunteer Fire Company to present a $246,500 state grant the pair secured for the new Hal H. Clark Boat Launch in Solebury Township. [Click here for high-res photos.]
The lawmakers were joined by Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, parks & recreation executive director Angie Nagle, and the fire company’s chief, Gary Breuer. The boat launch will provide first responders with better access to the Delaware River, as they currently use a boat launch in Lambertville. The boat launch will be designated for first responders and will not be open to the public.
“This is big news for safety on the Delaware River,” Brennan said. “We have seen too many tragedies on the river and this addition will absolutely save lives. I was so happy to support our first responders, to make their work just a little bit easier and to work with Sen. Santarsiero to secure these very important funds."
“The addition of a boat launch at the Hal H. Clark County Park in Solebury Township will provide much-needed access to Delaware River for emergency responders, improving response time to incidents that occur on the river,” said Santarsiero.
"The planned construction of the boat ramp at Hal Clark Park will cut down on the time needed to get our rescue boats into the Delaware River during emergency responses. The new ramp provides an alternative to having to go across the river and use the Lambertville boat ramp. This will save time avoiding traffic and will also help get additional boats on the river even faster, with less congestion at the Lambertville boat ramp as four agencies currently use the Lambertville ramp during marine emergencies near the wing dam. The Hal Clark Park ramp will also provide a faster response to sections of the river upstream from New Hope,” said Breuer. “The New Hope Eagle Fire Company would like to thank Rep. Tim Brennan and the other legislators who have worked to get both the funding and approvals needed for the new boat ramp."
Brennan has also been working with Rep. Natalie Mihalek (R-Allegheny) to provide better warning around the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge of the danger related to the nearby wing dam, meeting with officials from the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, and the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. After several meetings, DCNR recently placed new signage at an inlet just before the wing dam and is considering additional notices at other areas where people enter the river.
Because of the unique and dangerous forces involved, even strong swimmers are at risk if they are unknowingly caught in the dam’s forces. One of Mihalek’s constituents, Jonathan David Gentile, died while kayaking on the river with his father in New Hope in 2022. Gentile, who was a 38-year-old resident of Pittsburgh and an experienced outdoorsman, got caught up in the hydraulics of the wing dam when his kayak overturned.
“Some accidents can be avoided with some simple messaging, education and signage,” said Mihalek. “I have been working with House colleagues on efforts that would make certain boaters, kayakers and swimmers know if there are hazards nearby.”
The lawmakers’ joint effort began when fire company officials, members of New Hope Borough Council and Solebury Board of Supervisors raised issues about the danger the wing dam presented to people participating in recreational activities on the river. Solebury Township officials have also been instrumental in getting the project off the ground.