The storm last year was devastating to the old willows of Cedar Park. To the members of our group, the weeping willows symbolize the finest aspects of our park system. This year the park was dug up while the Lehigh County Authority laid a new water main from Cedar Crest Blvd. to across Ott Street. The pipe then turned north, was dug under the creek, and up Ott Street under a new sidewalk. As noted in the post below by the Sierra Club, if Mayor Pawlowski has his way, the stream banks may soon be controlled by a private company with no ties to Allentown. Before that happens, our group will plant a symbolic willow tree along the banks of Cedar Creek. Although there is some debate on the appropriateness of riparian buffers in our park systems, it is agreed by all that the current
No Mow Zones are not riparian buffers, but actually just
No Maintenance Zones. Under the guidance of a riparian consultant, 20 feet of creek bank will be cleared to host the new willow.
I have not been able to attend your meetings, but I would like to make a small donation. Please post information at some point on where to send. Really tragic to see the degradation of our park system under this administration.
ReplyDeleteWondering if it would even be legal for public land that was mostly donated by Trexler to be ceded to a private water company.
bill, most of discussion at the meeting centered on riparian buffers. even the advocates are not happy about the current Grow Zone approach. I accidentally referred to it in the post as "The No Mow Zone". your point about our watershed and a private company is well taken. i had planned on doing a post on that very topic. i hope that those opposed to the water privatization plan will join us in planting the symbolic weeping willow tree. although i will pay for the tree, we may at some point solicit contributions for a small WPA repair, hopefully to embarrass the city and trexler trust into getting their priorities straight.
ReplyDeleteYa know there was a program,not sure if it still exists, where citizens could honor their dearly departed by planting a tree with a small plaque in the parkway. A small grove of such trees exist now on the hill at robin hood.Why not suggest to reenergise the program and promote the planting of the iconic weeping willows along the creek. Think it would appeal to those that choose cremation and the placing of the plaque only,not the ashes, as a fitting memorial.
ReplyDeleteguy, the program still exists, however, the park department decides what and where to plant. i have actually modified the plans and located an area on the creek which is already clear. it is however doubtful that the park department would cooperate with me, especially when the tree is meant to protest certain city policies.
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