Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area/NPS

Work continues on restoring George W. Childs Park in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, but the popular area isn't expected to reopen to the public utnil next spring or summer.

The park has been closed since March 2018 when winter storms Quinn and Riley caused an unprecedented amount of damage to utility lines, roads, trails, and structures, primarily due to falling trees. At Childs Park, the wind, ice, and snow uprooted trees, which caused entire hillsides to slide downhill, taking the trails with them. Trees crushed trail bridges, choked Dingmans Creek and the waterfalls, and caused heavy damage to CCC-era historic buildings and other built structures at the site including stairs, railings, and observation platforms.  

“A great deal of work has gone into this important restoration project over the past few years, both on the ground and behind the scenes. Clean-up of the site alone was extensive,” explained Bill Tagye, the NRA's chief of facility management and project manager for the restoration work. “Workers have made good progress on the remaining tasks this summer and are on schedule. When the site re-opens, the trail will be a little different than people remember it in some places, but it will be just as beautiful as it was before, and it will also be more accessible and more sustainable.” 

On-site work during this final phase of the restoration includes:  

• Paving a portion of the existing trail and minimizing the slope from the parking area to the Woolen Mill sign exhibit to improve accessibility and drainage;  

• Installing a new accessible section of trail from the first bridge to the historic handpump shelter;  

• Removing an unsustainable stretch of trail between the second and third bridge on the west side of Dingmans Creek;  

• Repairing damage or replacing components of the trail, bridges, picnic sites, boardwalk, stairs, overlook areas, interpretive exhibits, and trail guardrails throughout the site; and  

• Installing a trail and stair retaining system near the fourth bridge.