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Great Falls In Paterson Reopens Following 2-Year Renovation

PATERSON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- After two years and $2 million, a renovated park is reopening in Paterson, New Jersey.

The water falls at Great Falls National Historical Park were closed for strategic reasons during World War I and reopened in the 1970s at the urging of then-Mayor Pat Kramer's wife, Mary Ellen, WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported.

"She'd be happy with the outcome because these young people have done an incredible job to make her dream become a reality," said Mary Ellen's son, Kip Kramer.

Great Falls In Paterson Reopens Following 2-Year Renovation

On Friday, the area near the falls was rededicated the Mary Ellen Kramer Park.

A new walkway enables visitors to stand just 10 feet from the falls.

"It is so welcoming. In times of the past, you stood behind the fence and you peered between the fence to see what is a natural, beautiful resource. Now you're part of it," Kramer said.

David Ovalus, 8, called it beautiful.

"And when you go down the stairs and you go a little bit farther, you could see a rainbow down there," he said.

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