TOWN OF DEERPARK, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) finalized a 2026 River and Shoreline Clean-up Grant to the Town of Deerpark to pick up debris along a nearly three-mile segment of the New York State Route 97 Upper Delaware Scenic Byway at Hawks Nest Road.

Since initiating this grant program in 2014, the UDC has awarded $58,449.83 to its member municipalities to help keep the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River and its banks pristine.

Town of Deerpark Highway Superintendent Raymond Cirulli and Highway Department Clerk Aimee Keane submitted a proposal on April 7 that the UDC approved in a May 7 resolution to conduct three clean-ups after Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

Their final expense of $2,010.22 submitted on September 11 covered labor, equipment, supplies, and dump fees for highway crew members to remove garbage from the town boundary to the Lumberland town line, including the popular Hawks Nest Scenic Overlooks that offer panoramic views from the curvy road 200 feet above the river.

The UDC opens this summer-long program to its eight New York towns and five Pennsylvania townships each March as an environmentally beneficial community service.

The Council has also organized five annual, land-based Upper Delaware Litter Sweeps throughout the river valley in April. Visit www.upperdelawarecouncil.org for more information.