BARRYVILLE — Residents and county officials gathered as the Town of Highland marked the completion of its Sullivan 180 River Access Silver Feather Grant project Tuesday afternoon at the site of the former Barbara Yeaman Eagle Observation Center.

The project was first conceived in 2021 under the leadership of former Chairman of the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway and current Highland Supervisor John Pizzolato and represents a collaborative effort between the Town of Highland, Sullivan 180, The Delaware Company, the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce, the Sullivan County Planning Department, the National Park Service, and the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway. The team worked to improve public river access while highlighting the town’s historic and natural assets, further strengthening Barryville’s connection to its Delaware River heritage.

“This project connected many separate efforts already underway,” Supervisor Pizzolato told attendees. “Dorene Warner from the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce had envisioned a mural for the Barryville cul-de-sac, the county was working on DEC access improvements, and neighbors were trying to make sense of the green space on River Road. The Delaware Company had also begun work on the Kate Project [to memoralize the D & H Canal]. It made sense to bring it all together under the Sullivan 180 grant.”

Highland’s Highway Department was also credited for its “instrumental partnership” in completing the project. Their work included paving the activity path, sealing the cul-de-sac, and installing interpretive signage conceptualized by Dorene Warner and Nicole Camacho, with text written by Laura Silverman.

The newly implemented pathway connects the Eagle Observation Area to the historic Roebling Bridge and the Delaware & Hudson Canal Tow Path, creating a scenic, educational route along the river.

Sullivan County Historian and Delaware Company President John Conway highlighted the importance of the project’s location and connection to both environmental and cultural heritage.

“I watched the Kate Project [by The Delaware Company, focusing on D&H Canal history and children tending canal mules] grow from a conception to reality. It started out as a fairly small project, then... it became more and more elaborate,” he said.

Also speaking at the event were Shannon Cilento of Sullivan 180 and Highland Town Historian and Delaware Company Executive Director Debra Conway.