On Labor Day in 2011, The Morning Call ran a story about my efforts in regard to the neglected WPA structures, and announced my upcoming meeting at the Allentown Library. Among those in attendance at that meeting was Karen El-Chaar, director of Friends Of The Allentown Parks. Later that year, I took El-Chaar on a tour of the WPA structures throughout the park system. In 2013, I conducted my first tour of the WPA in Lehigh Parkway, in conjunction with Friends Of The Parks. This year, El-Chaar successfully secured a grant from The Trexler Trust, which is currently being used to restore the steps at Fountain Park. The grant is being supervised by Lindsay Taylor, Allentown Park Director. The work is being done by Dietrich Stonemasonry, and managed by parks supervisor, Rick Holtzman.
Although much work remains to be done, it's my sense that all the decision makers mentioned above, are developing a greater appreciation of the unique gift that the WPA bestowed upon the Allentown park system. I'm hoping that both that interest and work continues this coming spring and summer, especially in preserving the remaining portion of the wall in Lehigh Parkway.
reprinted from October of 2015
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I think Karen's appointment can be directly tied you your efforts. I wish her the best...and I thank you.
ReplyDeletespeedstr21, although the protests over recent incidents interested me, i never did crime or arrest posts per se. You're welcome to search back through the years and try and find one.
ReplyDeleteJosh @8:56, you're wrong. El-Chaar turned Friends Of the Parks from a passive neighborhood group into a dynamic organization, that brought hundreds, if not thousands of people to interactive events all year. She is sympathetic to the plight of the WPA, but regardless, Ray O'Connell made a great choice.
ReplyDeleteMM: I think I was agreeing with you.
ReplyDelete