Lehigh Township Rails to Trails is excited to announce the opening of a picnic area at Lock 25 along the Walnutport Canal Towpath.

For the past year, with the support of the Walnutport Canal Association and the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor organization, Lehigh Township Rails to Trails has been clearing brush, planting perennials, designing signs and preparing an area for picnic tables near the lock.

At one time a locktender's house stood on the site, as did a mule barn.

Today the remains of the house can still be seen.

The foundation of the mule barn is also present and has been turned into the area for the picnic tables.

Lehigh Township Rails to Trails chose this area to develop as it is within Lehigh Township.

The Grand Opening is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, with a rain date of Sunday, June 1. It will run from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

At the Grand Opening you can enjoy hot dogs and other food items.

Members of Lehigh Township Rails to Trails and the Walnutport Canal Association will be on hand to tell you about the people who lived and worked at the lock.

Access to the Lock 25 picnic area is by foot or by bicycle. Motorized vehicles are not permitted.

The lock lies south along the towpath, about 1.2 miles from the Walnutport Canal Association pavilion. Parking is available behind the pavilion.

For more information about the Grand Opening or for directions to the parking area, call 610-767-0676.

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The Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Company Country Garden will hold an all-you-can-eat Breakfast Sunday, May 18, from 8 a.m.-noon.

The breakfast will include a large variety of breakfast items.

All proceeds benefit the fire company.

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The Oplinger-Hower American Legion Auxillary Post 899 in Walnutport will host a Seafood Raffle May 18, from 1-5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Refreshments will be provided.

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Is your church or organization having a fundraiser or event in Lehigh Township that you want to let the community know about? Send me the information at kristinaheschgrover@rcn.com and I will be happy to announce it in a future column.