Union Terrace was the last major project completed by the WPA in the Allentown park system. The City, in the process of replacing the Union Street bridge over the Cedar Creek, has leveled the last thirty feet of the terraces, and taken down the WPA stone retaining wall, on the terrace's south end. I've been told that upon completion of the project, estimated at two years, the original stone will be used to face a new concrete wall. Under that section of the creek, under the former bridge, both a water and sewage main are buried. More on those issues in a future post. Although we are spending close to $300 million on the hockey arena, not one cent has been spent on the WPA stone work. The double stairwell, leading from St. Elmo Street to the terraces, needs immediate work. The top of the wall is starting to crumble, and stones are missing on the steps. Allentown, a city with misplaced priorities.
UPDATE: Years ago when Mr. Berman placed the art work in the Allentown Park system many of the citizens were outraged.Now a generation later the Park System infrastructure is falling down and there is no outrage.What a change of priorities. submitted anonymous comment
click photo to enlarge
More than just moral ethical values there are no values left in any of the court jesters that make up allentowns administration¿ There is one though and at many a counsil meetings she is graced with a face of descussed from the antics of her collegues¿
ReplyDeleteredd
Years ago when Mr. Berman placed the art work in the Allentown Park system many of the citizens were outraged.Now a generation later the Park System infrastructure is falling down and there is no outrage.What a change of priorities.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the city spending money to fix the walls? Thought your expose of this neglect sparked city action. Still stand by general consensus the friends group is not doing enough to protect the parks. The stench from the sewer line in Lehigh Parkway last week was sickening.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteYears ago when Mr. Berman placed the art work in the Allentown Park system many of the citizens were outraged.Now a generation later the Park System infrastructure is falling down and there is no outrage.What a change of priorities.
July 13, 2013 at 9:37 AM
Well said.
Again, why doesn't the friends group host weekly action meetings seeking public input. Who can possibly know more about a single park than those who regularly visit. Years ago the Call did a special story on the city's parks and how residents tend to visit one park in particular. Human nature they said. Nice story.
It's almost August and still Lehigh Parkway does not have a single waste bin the entire route from the covered bridge to the fly fish shop. Shame on the city. Poop bags line the bridle path.
ReplyDelete@9:54, to my knowledge: the city has supposedly budgeted money for the parkway entrance wall, i had no part in that development.
ReplyDeleteFriends of the Parks has received a commitment from the trexler trust for $25thousand as a matching grant for the wpa, but a match must be secured. I believe that my work and group influenced Friends for that effort. I continue to support Friends in this, and other other activities, with the exception of the dog park. i oppose any expansion of the park system or functions there-in, they do not have the necessary work force.