The fishing pier at Cape Henlopen State Park is more than a wooden structure stretching into Delaware Bay. It has been a gathering place, a classroom and a landmark. Now, as another section is closed because of worsening structural problems, state leaders must stop treating the pier as a temporary repair project and commit to replacing it.

The warning signs have been there for years. The World War II-era pier has undergone repeated repairs, including a $1.2 million rehabilitation project completed in 2016. Yet engineers and Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officials have repeatedly acknowledged these repairs were never permanent solutions. Portions of the pier have remained closed since 2023 because deteriorating pilings make them unsafe, and officials have said a full rebuild is the likely long-term answer.

Yes, rebuilding the pier could cost more than $20 million, but Delaware cannot afford to think only in terms of upfront price tags. Cape Henlopen State Park is one of the state’s premier public spaces and a major tourism driver. The pier attracts anglers, families, veterans, photographers and visitors with limited mobility who cannot easily fish from the surf. Losing it would diminish one of Delaware’s most iconic recreational assets.

The state also should recognize that the public has already invested heavily in keeping the pier alive. Millions have been spent patching and stabilizing a structure that has exceeded its intended lifespan. Continuing to pour money into short-term fixes without committing to replacement is fiscally irresponsible.

State officials regularly speak about preserving Delaware’s coastal heritage and expanding outdoor recreation opportunities. Here is a chance to do both. Whether through Bond Bill funding, federal grants, public-private partnerships or a phased construction plan, leaders should begin securing the money now.

The fishing pier may just be an amenity to some, but it’s an important part of Cape Henlopen State Park’s character and identity. If state leaders want to maintain the park’s sterling reputation as one of the region’s best, they will find a way to rebuild it before it disappears for good.