I decided to go out with the group again this morning, this time on the beginner hike. Today our group headed north on 209 past Dingman’s Ferry, turned left onto 730 north, then turned onto Silver Lake Road, and finally turned onto Park Road, to arrive at Childs Park.
In 1892, newspaper publisher and philanthropist George W Childs purchased this land and developed a public park, because he believed that everyone, not just the wealthy, should be able to experience and enjoy the outdoors. In 1912, Childs’ wife deeded the land to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; it became part of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in 1983. Today the National Park Service continues Childs’ legacy and maintains the park.
Richie noted that the 70,000 acres of the Delaware Water Gap is adjacent to two state parks, which means the contiguous lands under protection total almost 100,000 acres. Dominant tree species are hemlock (unfortunately threatened by woolly adelgid) and white pine. The park is also rich in lichens and ferns, as well as more specialized plant communities such as rhododendron and prickly pear cactus. Animals at home in the park include black bears, timber rattlesnakes, bald eagles, and peregrine falcons.
The history of this area can be viewed through different lenses. In 1955, Hurricanes Connie and Diane caused extensive flooding in the Poconos and provided the impetus for proceeding with the proposal for damming the Delaware River for flood control. Congress approved the takeover of thousands of acres of land: homes were taken by eminent domain and people did leave, many bitterly protesting. Ironically, the dam was never built. Gradually, the tide turned against the project, due to concerns over the cost, ecological impacts, instability of the bedrock, the presence of Native American remains, and other such considerations. In 1975, the Delaware River Basin Commission voted to shelve the project.
We crossed this rustic bridge at the beginning of the hike.
This is a old lime kiln; limestone needs to be heated before being used in construction.
These ruins were a woolen mill run by the Brooks family, in use between 1823-1832.
I don’t have a photo of the first falls, Factory Falls. Here’s the second waterfall, Fulmer Falls.
Here’s another view of the falling water.
We arrive at the third waterfall, Deer Leap Falls.
The waterfall is framed between trees.
I’ve always been fascinated by Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), a herbaceous perennial without chlorophyll.
This trail took us through an area rich in history and natural beauty; I was happy to have visited it.