Field & Stream Magazine Recognizes Friends of the Upper Delaware River For River Project

Field & Stream, the world’s leading outdoor magazine, has endorsed a river access project on the West Branch of the Delaware River.

The magazine gave Friends of the Upper Delaware River (FUDR) its “Hero for a Day” award in connection with the project to improve public access to the river and create a park.

Last year, a local landowner donated more than 350’ of riverfront property at 24 Laurel Ave. in Deposit to FUDR, a nonprofit conservation group. FUDR has worked to improve habitat and create parking at the site, providing new access to the river for trout fishermen, birdwatchers, and the community.

On Saturday, June 1, volunteers helped clear paths from the newly graveled parking area to the river, install guardrails, and help construct a handicap-accessible platform at the site.

FUDR Chairman Dan Plummer said a number of businesses donated time and work to the project. They include Watson Engineering of Owego, Catskill Region Surveying Services of Fleischmanns, and Wheeler Excavating of Deposit. Kelly Gutshall of Landstudies Inc. of Lititz, Penn., designed the park.

Many volunteers turned out to help, including several Trout Unlimited chapters, Theodore Gordon Flyfishers and staffers from local restaurants. The Koo Koose, a Deposit restaurant owned by Steve Lutz, donated lunch for the volunteers.