Scores of mature trees, on both sides of Ott Street, were blown over by Hurricane Sandy. A dozen or so trees around Muhlenberg Lake were lost. Mostly spruce and willow, the 75 year old trees with their large mass and shallow root systems, fell like bowling pins to the sustained wind. Another dozen or so were also lost on the rose garden side of the park. Shown above, one fallen tree destroyed the walk bridge, just west of the garden. Please join me, and donate for new trees to be planted this coming spring.
Young willows went down along all the city creeks also. I know you love them but they are shallow rooted trees. And not real good for the trout population as has been pointed out on this blod in the past.
ReplyDeleteIts a fact brother. Hey, I like them in a park setting also.
Plenty of trees went down in the Lehigh Parkway too. Both on the hillsides and along the deeply compromised stream banks. All too predictable.
Tragic just the same.
The Lehigh County Republicans voted against taking state funds to plant new trees and the Allentown City Democrates let the mayor cut the parks department into the bone matter.
A real historic blow to Allentowns once great, steeply declining park system.
But the plastic playground survived intact. All is not lost.
@11:34, although the willows do have shallow roots, most of them are 75 years old, testimony enough to their appropriateness in our parks. although the roots are shallow, they spread out and reinforce the banks, just as you environmental types like. last time the willows took a hit like this was hurricane diane in 1955. neither storm was caused by republicans or democrats.
ReplyDeleteWalk the Little Lehigh and see young willows down.
ReplyDeleteWith the Parks Dept cuts and many of the tree guys gone how does the mayor propose to address this crisis.
Perhaps Ms Mota the Chair of Councils Parks Committee already has a plan. Maybe you could visit her Michael and see what she is working on.
( Weitzels gone since May and no replacement hired. Good news or bad news, who could know?
Where should we send our donations?
ReplyDeleteEnviromental types? I beg your pardon.
ReplyDeleteNeither party caused the storm. ( I remember the storm of 55, images of shattered railroad cars, a crushed Free Bridge in Easton and unbeleaveable high water markes around the Valley and Bucks Co are seared in my minds eye. And the haunting headlines from Monroe Co.)
But both parties will fumble the responce in Allentowns parks and county lands.
We have two tragities here. One a natural disaster, the other a political one.
All very sad.
@1:50, there is an ongoing Tree Remembrance Program operated through Friends of the Parks which plants tree's at $375 each. further information can be found on the city web site/ park department/ friends of the parks. The city's arborist, Rick Howells, indicated to me that they plant trees in the spring. I plan on making some inquires about specifically planting willows along the creek. I will also inquire if the park department can start a fund to accept smaller donations toward hurricane replacement trees.
ReplyDeleteBTW Michael, that great flood was Hazel.
ReplyDeleteAnd come to think of it,I think it was '54.
We're getting old my friend.
Well as its said, better that than the alternative.
West Park has a BIG tree down. It's awful.
ReplyDeleteYou should have been informed that the $375 figure includes the cost of a personalized memorial plack and it's placement. A young willow, balled and burlapped,should only cost a third of that.
ReplyDelete@5:33, i should clarify that i spoke to nobody at the park department about the Tree Remembrance Program, to which you refer. i mentioned it as a pre-existing option, and provided directions to the website.
ReplyDeleteMM -
ReplyDeletePlease clarify the charge made in the first comment regarding Lehigh County Republicans voting against taking funds to plant trees in the Parkway. When did this happen?
I know of no such vote, or any County payments for tree planting in Allentown parks, but would be very interested in the details if true.
I realize you don't like to politicize park issues, but a charge has been made. If unfounded and un-refuted, it begins a false narrative that gives cover to those truly responsible.
@5:37, i took it as a comment loaded with attitude, but short on facts. let me state that there was no funding intended for trees which was declined, until which time the commenter proves otherwise. i wrestle with comments, reject numerous ones, and resent replying to falsehoods. i only wish that in addition to word verification, blogger provided some filters against stupid.
ReplyDelete"Devastation at Cedar Creek Park"
ReplyDeleteProbably not the last devastating incident of the year at Cedar Creek Park. Just sayin'.
@9:46, aka relentless cyberstalker, don't you get tired of threatening people?
ReplyDeleteWhere do we send a check and to whom do we make it out?
ReplyDeleteI love those willows, especially in the spring. When they start to turn green, they make my heart sing.