JIM: As you can see from these photos, a lot of work went into repairing the damage to the viewing platforms overlooking the waterfalls at George W. Childs Park in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Now, after more than six years, it's back open, much to the appreciation of visitors who can once again enjoy the joy and wonder of nature around Dingmans Creek at George Childs Park.

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, park rangers cut a board to officially reopen Childs Park in Pike County, marking the culmination of six years of waiting and effort.

"We're looking forward to welcoming some new visitors to the site, but we know this is a favorite area among Pocono residents," said Kathleen Sandt with the National Park Service. "Many return visitors who arrived on the first day were looking forward to bringing their children back to this site, continuing a tradition across multiple generations."

The improvements at Childs Park include extended access for people of varying abilities, whether it's someone who relies on wheeled access or parents pushing a stroller.

In the case of these two moms, they wanted to make sure to bring their kids to experience this return to Childs Park. Jessica Campbell from Bushkill noted, "It feels safer with the stairs and stuff like that. You don't have to worry about the tree trunks and all that, which is nice."

Fallon Rumore from Bushkill added, "It's great because it makes it much more accessible to people with little ones who might have a harder time carrying them. Putting them in a stroller makes it much easier, especially for people who have multiple children and need to chase after them, so it makes it accessible for everyone."

In 2023, the overview of the historic park shows how a harsh winter storm destroyed the canopy, railings, bridges, and stairs, resulting in significant damage and a lengthy process to rebuild so visitors could safely navigate this picturesque park.

"It was like a puzzle," explained Sandt, with a lot of different pieces to put together, like repairs, damage assessments, cost estimates, and scopes of work for contractors. Ensuring funding for each step was crucial, as was making sure the work didn't do further harm to the environment.

Childs Park dates back to the late 1800s, when it was a popular destination for city dwellers. Several decades later, the Civilian Conservation Corps built some of the structures and trails, and the National Park Service now cares for and oversees Childs Park.

Visitors are thrilled to return.

JIM: People are grinning ear to ear here.

KATHLEEN: It's their first taste of it in six and a half years.

Childs Park closes on January 2nd or at the first significant snowfall, reopening in the spring when the snow and ice thaw. With the waterfalls, views, and natural beauty, the park continues to offer what it has for generations, dating back to George Childs over a century ago.