TOWANDA, Pa. (August 14) – On Thursday, August 13, 2026, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Executive Director Tim Schaeffer, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Deputy Secretary Claire Jantz joined community partners to celebrate the opening of a new river access at the French Azilum historical site in Bradford County.
The river access, which features a concrete boat launch for unpowered boats, parking lot with ADA parking spaces and walkway, and restroom, and campsites, provides accessible public access to the Susquehanna River (North Branch).
"When communities with incredible natural resources such as the picturesque Susquehanna River embrace public access for fishing and boating along Pennsylvania’s waterways, the benefits are almost too many to count and stretch beyond the next bend in the river," said Schaeffer. "Thank you to the leadership at French Azilum, our partners at DCNR, and others in the community who had a vision and worked hard to make it reality. Recreational amenities like this new boat launch and its accessible features make the river more relevant locally, attract new visitors, and create a deeper connection to resource stewardship."
"Congratulations to everyone who has been a part of taking this project from concept to completion," said Jantz. "The Susquehanna River has long been a recreational attraction and economic backbone for Pennsylvania communities, and providing public access to the water is crucial to unlocking those benefits. This boat launch and other amenities here at French Azilum will more closely connect people to nature, local history, and businesses that share an interest in outdoor recreation."
Funding for the French Azilum river access project was provided to French Azilum, Inc., through the PFBC's Boating Facility Grant Program ($210,800), DCNR's Community Conservation Partnerships Program ($216,200), and local fundraising ($5,400).
“It would have been virtually impossible to achieve the river access project without the support of the Fish and Boat Commission, DCNR, and other partners who stepped up to help in times of need,” said Brooks Eldredge-Martin, French Azilum, Inc. Volunteer Coordinator. “When our funding was short, the Bradford County Commissioners helped us bridge the gap. Arey’s Building Supply provided six picnic tables for new campsites, and, of course, the volunteers of French Azilum never stopped working tirelessly toward this goal.”
The concrete boat ramp at French Azilum replaces a primitive earthen launch and expands quality public access along the North Branch Susquehanna River Water Trail. This 180-mile section of river flows into Bradford County from New York and continues to Sunbury, Northumberland County, where it meets the West Branch of the Susquehanna River Water Trail to form the main stem of the Susquehanna River.
For more information on the Boating Facility Grant Program, visit the PFBC website.
More information on the Community Conservation Partnerships Program can be found on the DCNR website.