For more than 150 years, the falls at Glen Onoko welcomed visitors, vacationers and nature enthusiasts to Carbon County.

At one time, its reputation spread across the world. A hotel built with money from railroads that snaked their way along the Lehigh River was a way station for travelers and tourists alike. Pavilions and amusement rides added to the attraction.

Many came to relax, recharge and view the falls from wooden bridges, platforms and walkways that crisscrossed the waterway to share in nature’s wonder.

Its grandeur went up in flames when a wildfire claimed the Wahnetah Hotel and a nearby train station just after the turn of the last century. Visitors’ numbers fell dramatically. Automobiles replaced railroads and expanded opportunities for people to experience other locations.

But the allure of the falls remained.

Over time, Glen Onoko’s infrastructure deteriorated and the location was placed in the hands of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, which currently oversees the site.

During its tenure, tourists and hikers continued to visit. Its trails, though, fell victim to a lack of maintenance.

Victims fell, too.

Emergency calls for injured visitors increased dramatically, straining the resources of local responders covering the area.

Depending on the calls and conditions, as many as 50 volunteers often showed up to remove an injured visitor from the treachery of a slippery, steep trail.

All too often, those calls required services of a coroner before a body could be removed. Since the late 1970s, the falls and trails claimed at least eight victims, the youngest a 2-year-old and the latest a 72-year-old woman who died in 2022.

First responders said occurrences of injuries and fatalities could’ve been reduced if visitors exercised basic common sense.

Despite signs warning of the dangers, visitors attempted to navigate the trail with improper equipment, using flip-flops instead of adequate footwear. Some — hoping to use the beauty of the falls as a backdrop for photographs — even wore high heels. Yet other incidents found victims under the influence.

The Game Commission had enough in May 2019 when it closed the Glen Onoko Falls Trail permanently due to safety concerns.

The poor trail conditions, frequent accidents and potential risks to hikers and rescuers led to the decision.

It was the end of the trail for the Glen Onoko Falls Trail.

Or so we thought.

Announcing his budget earlier this month, Gov. Josh Shapiro proposed expanding Lehigh Gorge State Park to include the Glen Onoko Falls Trail.

He mentioned the site specifically, adding a proposed $5 million expenditure for building trails and expanding state parks.

Part of that proposal means transferring management of the 391-acre Glen Onoko property from the PGC to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, something that’s been suggested by many in the past.

The trail would open under new management after any planned improvements.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley welcomed the news, explaining the proposal is one he’s heard before.

He said there needed to be assurances the trail would be managed properly, including those that would guarantee hikers’ safety and at the same time not overburden local emergency providers.

State Sen. David Argall is behind the proposal, too, highlighting the trail’s significance to the community.

Saying the trail has been missed since its closure, he supported all efforts to reopen the site safely.

Both legislators will have a say in the trail’s future as the budget moves through the approval process and when any funding for improvements are discussed.

Changing ownership and management at the site is certainly a sensible solution to a persistent problem.

The PCG’s primary focus is on wildlife and hunting, while DCNR has extensive expertise in maintaining and operating the state park system.

A major part of the planning and reopening process should include input from local emergency personnel who’ve arguably had more experience on the trails than they’d like to see.

Traffic needs to be adequately addressed, especially given the congestion experienced during busy days in neighboring Jim Thorpe or to the east in Beltzville.

Perhaps more important, educating and informing hikers of the dangers of even a new and improved site should be a large part of the trail’s rebirth.

Visitors have a responsibility, too, by exercising common sense to stay safe.

Returning Glen Onoko to even part of its former glory won’t happen overnight, but it’s entirely possible the site could once again become an area asset down the trail.

For now, it’s good to see the governor taking the first steps in that direction.

And all involved would be wise to proceed — with caution.

ED SOCHA | tneditor@tnonline

ED SOCHA is a retired newspaper editor with more than 40 years’ experience in community journalism.