NPS News Release: George W. Childs Park to re-open at NOON on October 2
George W. Childs Park set to re-open at noon on October 2
9/30/24— National Park Service officials announced today that George W. Childs Park (Childs Park), in Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, will re-open to the public at noon on October 2, 2024, following a short opening ceremony. The popular destination which boasts 3 waterfalls, a hiking trail, and several observation areas has been closed since 2018 when back-to-back winter storms destroyed much of the site.
“Though there have been a few changes to the site, like the improved and expanded accessible portion of the trail and the removal and restoration of a short section of trail that was too damaged to repair, returning visitors and first-time visitors alike will be greeted by a rustic trail system with perfectly situated bridges and viewing platforms that highlight 3 scenic waterfalls and the natural environment in which they are located, similar to what was originally envisioned by George W. Childs over a century ago,” said Doyle Sapp, Park Superintendent.
Following the March 2018 storms and prior to and during construction, a great deal of work was accomplished behind the scenes as staff worked to conduct assessments, secure funding for each phase of work, line up contractors, develop construction and engineering plans, conduct necessary studies, and to ensure that all planned work complies with laws, policies, and best management practices for protecting the natural and historic features and processes at this site.
On-site work was completed in several phases by contractors and the park’s professional trail crew with some early assistance with site clearing from the park’s volunteer Trail Stewards.
- Selection and removal of downed trees from the site was a complex process that involved teams of highly trained sawyers and arborists. Downed trees that do not present a hazard to the public or to infrastructure remain on site where they provide habitat, cover, and contribute to the natural processes of the hemlock ravine ecosystem.
- Over 2000 feet of Accessible trail has been regraded and resurfaced, including the addition of a new 950-foot section that leads to the historic well pump structure.
- Four damaged trail bridges over Dingmans Creek were repaired and 2 bog bridges over wet areas along the trail were removed and replaced.
- A short section of trail that sustained significant damage on the south side of Dingmans Creek between Fulmer and Deer Leap Falls was removed and the area was restored to natural conditions.
- Railings, posts, and fencing were replaced as needed throughout the site.
- Two dry laid stone retaining walls and one wooden retaining wall were rebuilt or constructed.
- Substantial repairs were made to three observation platforms.
- Stairs, stairways, stair treads, and landings were repaired or replaced as needed throughout the site including construction of more than 60 box crib steps and treads.
- New benches and signs have been installed.
- A large quantity of debris from the storms and from demolition and construction activities was removed from the site.
- Additional restoration work continues outside the site, downstream from Deer Leap Falls and the lowermost pool.
Childs Park History: Childs Park has been a popular destination for both local and out-of-town visitors since it first opened to the public in 1892 under the ownership of Philadelphia philanthropist and newspaperman George William Childs and subsequently his widow Emma Bouvier Childs. In 1912, Emma Childs deeded the 53-acre property to the Commonwealth of PA. As a state park, improvements were made, and amenities were added. Between 1933 and 1936, a substantial amount of work was done by Company 1399 of the Civilian Conservation Corps which was stationed nearby including the construction of new buildings, picnic sites, fireplaces, wells, latrines, parking spaces, a new entrance, and trail improvements. In 1955, Childs Park was expanded to its current size- 155 acres- when the Commonwealth of PA purchased an adjoining 102-acre tract. In 1983, the site was transferred to the National Park Service and continues to be a favorite destination for many.
“Now that this special place will be available to the pubic again, the National Park Service is asking everyone who visits to help take care of it by following the rules, keeping it clean, and practicing Leave No Trace principles like staying on designated trails, visiting in small groups, and disposing of all trash and waste properly,” Sapp added.
Childs Park is open for hiking and nature observation from dawn to dusk daily through the fall. Swimming, jumping from or climbing on rocks and waterfalls, pets, and picnicking are prohibited at the site. A list of designated swimming and picnic areas is available on the park website. Park rangers remind those who are looking forward to visiting Childs Park to pack their patience since parking is limited and the site is expected to be very busy, especially on weekends.
For more information on George W. Childs Park and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa, follow us on social media at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS and www.Instagram.com/DelWaterGapNPS, or call (570) 426-2452 weekdays between 9 am and 4 pm.
#
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 431 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
West Nile Virus Detected at Marcel Lakes, Delaware Township
West Nile Virus Detected at Marcel Lakes, Delaware Township
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Vector Management has reported 1 mosquito sample testing positive for West Nile Virus in Delaware Township. Additional mosquito surveillance, sampling, and larval control are being performed as necessary by County Mosquito-borne Disease Control staff.
We recommend residents take time to inspect their yards and take a few minutes to clean up and dump out any sources of stagnant water. Mosquito surveillance indicates that many common mosquito species in residential areas come from artificial containers left behind by humans. Artificial containers such as tires, boats/kayaks, buckets, child toys, tarps, and even swimming pools are preferred by mosquitoes because natural predators that prey on mosquito larvae are not present. During periods of drought, these containers continue to hold water and produce mosquitoes. One bucket or tire in someone’s backyard can produce hundreds to thousands of mosquitoes in a year. Performing a community-wide cleanup will also help reduce mosquito concerns and disease risk. Storm-water management systems can sometimes contribute to mosquito issues and are also routinely monitored by our staff.
May through October, mosquitoes can complete their life cycle within five to seven days. Residents should use repellents when spending time outside, a variety of which could be found at most home and garden centers. For individuals who don’t like to use repellents, we recommend taking an electric fan outside with you. Mosquitoes are weak flyers and the fan will help keep them away. As a last resort, residents can purchase insecticides from garden and hardware stores to spray in their yard but they need to be sure to follow the label instructions.
Residents can contact The Monroe County Mosquito-borne Disease Control Program by calling 570-517-3416 or email
A Message from Emergency Management - Lightning Safety
Lincoln Re-Enactor Heightens The Columns' Civil War Tribute
Lincoln Re-Enactor Heightens The Columns' Civil War Tribute
By Wayne Witkowski
The Pike County Dispatch
MILFORD -- He had a speaking engagement on April 14 at the Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society and another one this past Saturday with the Pike County Historical Society at The Columns.
And on Tuesday this week, he made a cameo appearance for host Jimmy Fallon's 10th anniversary celebration on the Tonight Show.
Lou Del Bianco of Port Chester, N.Y. has portrayed Abraham Lincoln for many thousands of school kids and history buffs for some 30 years. And he delivered a convincing performance of the famed Gettysburg Address as re-enactors of the Pennsylvania 142nd Regiment, which staged a Civil War era encampment, and the New York Zouave Regiment, a brigade of men wearing red uniforms who had served as firefighters before enlisting in the Northern army during the Civil War from 1861-65, stood at attention.
DelBianco captured Lincoln's physical characteristics all the way to his 6-feet, 4-inch height, the same as his subject, with the gaunt, bearded face and deep, measured tones in his voice. Wearing the characteristic long dark coat and big to;p hat, he delivered the relative brief historic address of Nov. 19, 1863 that drew cheers from the gathering toward the end as he said, "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
"He got old on the job," quipped DelBianco afterward
"He really knows a lot about Lincoln but he didn't know the Lincoln flag was at The Columns," said Tim Singleton, head of the Dingmans Ferry-Delaware Township Historical Society, referring to the flag draped around him when he was assassinated..
DelBianco actually evolved from professional actor to re-enactor in his career.
"My height worked against me" he said as it held him back at times from getting work in the theatrical field. "Then I realized I am the same height as Lincoln," a historical figure that always intrigued him.
So he immersed himself in the historical legend and lore of the 16th president of the U.S. and the tallest ever during a time when people were generally shorter in height than now, although George Washington, at 6-1, was not far behind in stature.
When he was asked about Americans regarding Lincoln as the greatest president, he replied with a smile, "He ended slavery and united the country. What's better than that?"
Local Summer Leagues Urged To Enforce Stewardship Of Ballfields
Local Summer Leagues Urged To Enforce Stewardship Of Ballfields
By Wayne Witkowski
DINGMANS FERRY -- Proper caretaking of the Delaware Township playing fields for Little League baseball and three adult softball leagues dominated discussion during the township Board of Supervisors' workshop prior to its regular meeting on Wednesday last week.
Township Roadmaster Richard Bailo and the Department of Public Works continued to clean up litter at the fields last year and it has become a daunting task.
Dingman-Delaware Little League's lagging numbers of the past have had a large turnaround. "I don't know why but the league has grown exponentially the last couple of years," said Mike Zaucha, league president the past six years.
The program is up to 29 teams with the addition of two Tiny T's teams for 3-year-olds to experience the fun of the game. Add to that eight T-ball teams for 5-6-year-olds, six Rookie League teams for 6-8-year-olds, five Minor League teams for youngsters ages 8-12, three Major League softball teams for girls ages 8-12 and two Junior/Senior teams for 13-16-year-olds. Even the numbers of registrants for the Challenger special needs program may increase it to three teams.
"We're trying to push our All-Star teams," said Zaucha of the select players who begin practicing in mid-June for tournament play over the summer.
Supervisors approved the league requests for Dingman-Delaware Little League games from April 1-July 20 from 5-8 p.m. during the regular meeting. They also approved the Little League parade on April 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the meeting.
They also spent half of the hour-long workshop talking about stewardship of the fields with more players and teams.
There's also the Pike County Women's Softball League using fields on Sundays from 3:30-8 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:15-9 p.m. from June 2-Aug. 11 and the Couples Fall Softball League on Sundays from Aug. 18-Nov. 17 from noon to 6 p.m., all of which were approved by the board at the meeting. There also is a Men's Softball League.
Use more dumpsters was one suggestion so garbage receptacles don't overflow.
"I know we can all do things better to make it better," said Zaucha. He said some of the porta potties were flushed out once a month and that might need to be done more often.
"It's all about working together," said Supervisor Joe Dunne.
Zaucha also said some of the fences surrounding the fields needs to be fixed for safety reasons.
"You have to put this on a list in July and August so I can put it in the budget," said Supervisor Rick Koehler. "We did not know about this until Dec. 6, which is when we were finishing up the budget (for 2024)."
Supervisors also want assurances from all of the adult leagues that they will have some members on the teams take charge in cleaning up after games.
Also at the meeting, supervisors passed a motion to award the Akenac Park Culvert Replacement Project to Columbia Excavating LLC in the amount of $121,040.00 as per the township engineer’s recommendation. It includes replacing a bridge over the culvert.
They approved first quarter 2024 funding for Delaware Township Volunteer Ambulance Corp. in accordance with the Pike County EMS grant program in the amount of $107,500 to be reimbursed to the township when EMS taxes are received.
Supervisors also passed a motion to pay the fourth quarter tax distribution of $3,856.84 to the Delaware Township Volunteer Fire Company.
They adopted Resolution No. 2024-01 regarding township fees, which Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson said are all increasing.
Payment to Theurkauf Design & Planning Invoice dated Dec. 29, 2023 for $1,045.01 for work on the comprehensive plan update was approved. They said the comprehensive plan was submitted to the county for a 30-day review.
Also approved was a price quote from Main Stream Industries Inc. in the amount of $3,039 for signs and traffic cones.
A proposal from Aquatic Environment Consultants Inc. for Akenac Park lake management for $3,675 was approved.
Cynthia Mazza was appointed to fill the vacancy on the township Planning Commission for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
An application for license to operate a junkyard for 21st Century Restoration and Sales Inc. located at 1756 Route 739 was approved.
Municipal hall use request by Gambetta Ballet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. January through May 2024 and September through December 2024 was approved as well as Akenac Park use request by Gambetta Ballet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June through August this year.
The Milford Valley Quilters Guild were granted their request to use the municipal hall on Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a quilt workshop.
Wild Acres Lake Property Owners Association was approved use of the municipal hall for meetings fro 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month, on Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on June 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
A use request by Pike County Conservation District for Wilson Hill Pond on June 24 from 6-8 p.m. for a twilight pond walk was approved.