When the WPA started in 1935, Allentown was in a unique position to benefit. In 1929 the city decided to expand it's park system, and acquired hundreds of acres for that purpose. We had both the space and the unemployed needing the work. A project was built in almost every park in Allentown; Cedar, Irving, Union Terrace, Lehigh Parkway, Jordan, and of course, Fountain Park. The stairwells leading from Lawrence Street (now Martin Luther King Drive) up to Union Street (Junction Street) and next up to Spring Garden Street became essential several years later. Hundreds of men would use them every day as Mack Truck turned their production to the War effort. As well built as the stone structures were, they are now over 75 years old. Steps are missing on the Grand Stairway, columns are being undermined at Union Terrace, and these monuments of our past need attention. Although they are beautiful, irreplaceable, and the icons of our parks, they are not a priority for the current Administration and Park Department.
above reprinted from February of 2012
ADDENDUM November28,2018: Although, I wrote the above post over 6 years ago, I'm afraid not much has happen about reprioritizing the park budget to save the WPA structures. The city just announced its on-going grant effort to build a $million dollar skate park. While the city and park department concentrate on adding another new facility, our existing ones languish away from lack of maintenance. The landings on the double stairway shown above are starting to cave in. Unless they are repaired in short order, the entire structure is in jeopardy.
photocredit:molovinsky
Clearly Ray is taking advice and direction from all the wrong people. Hardly a surprise. Dissapointing none the less.
ReplyDeleteThe Allentown park system for generations provided calm and relaxation to the population. Skateparks encourage aggression....just what we need.
ReplyDeletei've been informed that the stairwell repair is included in the 2019 budget. however, the budget still needs to be approved. furthermore, in previous years, money appropriated for WPA repair was not used for that purpose.
ReplyDeletealthough i certainly have a better rapport with this administration than the previous one, my advocacy for the WPA structures will persist, until which time repairs are actually made.
Thank You Michael,
ReplyDeleteFor all you do in trying to save our Beloved, and, Bedraggled, Iconic City Park System!!
"The Old Allentown Curmudgeon"
Paul J. Fiske
I remember when there was a working fountain and small pond at the bottom of the fountain between the stairs in the photo above. It was beautiful. When I was a child, family walks through the parkway after church were common. The other favorite spot was the old spring by Robin Hood.
ReplyDeleteSLK, unfortunately the city allowed the spring to be completely overgrown, covering the surrounding stones and even the miniature bridge beyond. I prevailed on the city about 6 years ago to clear it as much as possible. Since then Friends Of The Parks has again cleared it. I will reprint a post about this and other structures which the city had abandoned.
ReplyDelete