SCA Mission Statement
To preserve, maintain and appropriately restore the Schuylkill Canal and its surrounding lands and manmade structures; to encourage wide public use of the area and an appreciation of its natural environment; to seek ways to further general education in the area's history through programming and interpretation; to provide facilities and enhanced settings for various kinds of passive recreation; to seek support of individuals and private organizations, and of local, regional, state and federal governments, to achieve these goals; and to solicit, receive and expend funds for such purposes.

About Us

The Schuylkill Canal Association has come a long way since its beginnings as a township advisory committee. It is now one of the major players in the statewide project of transforming the Schuylkill into a recreational and economic asset. It is credited throughout the region with having created the most complete restoration project to date along the river. The area is still leased by the township from the Pa. Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, but discussions are under way to bring the ownership closer to home.

The Schuylkill Canal Association’s management of  60 acres of grounds, its encouragement of extensive public use and enjoyment of the site, and its policies of providing rich community programs and major reconstruction projects all depend on the participation of a great many people. Its members and volunteers provide routine maintenance, specialized skills and major planning.  SCA is a community enterprise.

Currently, some 25,000 people a year visit the area for recreation or for historical interest.  Fishing, canoeing, bicycling, picnicking, hiking and jogging are all easily accommodated along the canal. Literature in the kiosk and in the Locktender’s House provides answers to their interest in the place’s history.

The Association organizes and empowers residents, corporations and governmental bodies to participate in the preservation of this unique resource.

Founded: 1982, as the Schuylkill Canal Advisory Board 1st President: John Hughes Current President: Christopher Zeliznak Founding Members: 23 Present membership: over 300; minimum dues, $25/year On-Going Projects: Reconstruction of working control gates on the various water inlets and outlets to the canal, repair and maintenance of the canal guard walls, development of trails, preservation of the towpath, conservation of woodlands and wildlife along the waterway and the basic maintenance involved with Locktender's House and Lock 60 now that both are restored, Click here for a listing of our Board of Directors

Occupancy of the Locktender's House, 1983 Development of picnic area near Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. Installation of 2 canoe launches on the river Clearing portage from the river to the canal. Provision of sanitation and trash services. Development of area master plan. Nature trail and walking areas. Reconstruction of the Wastewater Weir Exterior restoration of the 1836 Locktender's House Restoration of vital water control gate on the Flume OPening at Lock 60 Reconstruction of storm water culvert and original towpath at the 1st ravine Restoration of Lock 60, the only operating lock on the Schuylkill

Phoenixville Jaycees Community Betterment Award, 1984 1st Place, Take Pride in Pennsylvania, 1987 1st Place, Take Pride in America, 1987 National Register of Historic Places, 1988 Schuylkill River Heritage Area Special Recognition Award, 2005 Montgomery County Planning Commision Land Development Special Recognition Award, 2005

Canal Day, June Schuylkill River Trail Run, June Schuylkill River Sojourn, June Annual Dinner, Fall Christmas Open House and Holiday Luminaria, December Lock Tender's Open House, 3rd Sunday of every month, 1-4pm Music in the Park, select weekday evenings starting in June through September

Please join us in preserving the canal and its environs. New members and friends are always welcomed. Click here for membership information.