Montco Takes Ownership of Lock 60 and Schuylkill Canal Park

Montgomery County recently became the proud owner of Lock 60 and the Schuylkill Canal Park in Mont Clare near Phoenixville. Through the deal with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the county added about 137 acres to its parks and trails.

The process to take ownership of the lock began a few years ago when Upper Providence Township’s lease on the property was nearing its end, and the township and Schuylkill Canal Association reached out to Montgomery County about acquiring the land, said Deputy Chief Operating Officer Steve Nelson.

In 2010, the county purchased the canal land and also the Mingo Distillery Basin for about $50,000 from the state, Nelson said.

“The county has always seen the canal and Lock 60 as important areas to preserve,” Nelson said.

The Schuylkill Canal Association will continue to manage the canal property as they had before the county deal, said Executive Director Betsy Daley. She said it has been a “seamless or transparent change” and from the public’s point of view, they will see no change.

The day-to-day responsibilities for the association remain the same—keeping an eye on the property and making sure everything is running properly, Daley said. She also added the association will continue to run its programs, including the Locktender’s Open House on the third Sunday of every month, except in December and June.

The Locktender’s house dates back to 1836, Daley said, and features exhibits and historic photographs of the area. 

Along with the historic home, the property has numerous outdoor activities county residents can take part in during the summer months. Visitors can kayak, canoe and fish in the canal, or stay on land and hike or ride bikes in the park.

While Lock 60 is not currently part of any trail, it has connecting paths to the Schuylkill River Trail and Upper Schuylkill Valley Park, Daley sad.

Nelson said the county plans to create a multi-use trail on the towpath in park.

Daley said the canal also offers a paddle trail where people can go around the canal and come back to where they began so no cars have to be shuttled—a plus with high gas prices. Accoring to Daley, it’s the only one in the tri-state area, and people from New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland come to the park to use the trail.

Nelson said the county plans to continue preserving the natural and historic land. He added the Mingo Basin will likely be a preserved natural habitat for the animals and plants in the area.

“The acquisition is about land preservation, historical preservation and enhanced recreation for Montgomery County residents,” Nelson said.

Nelson said the acquisition of the property works with the county’s recent Schuylkill Greenway Initiative, which aims to bring people to, on and near the river.

“We want people to use the canal,” Nelson said. “Come on down and visit, and enjoy what the county has preserved.”