If you want to see the creek in Cedar Park, the window is fast closing. The weed wall, as encouraged by the Wildlands Conservancy, is already 5 ft. tall. Although only the beginning of June, with two small exceptions, the creek is only visible from the bridge crossings.
One of the exceptions is a creek side bench by the park office, at 30th and Parkway Blvd. Although I did lobby the park department to install a second bench at that spot, so far there has been no response.
The other exception is about six feet of open bank by the small wood bridge, just west of the Rose Garden.
Although I still yearn for the traditional park system designed for Allentown by Harry Trexler's landscape architect, those days seem to be over. Years ago, when the Wildlands Conservancy prevailed upon a former park director to stop mowing by the creeks, the little work reduction corresponded with less park employees. Worse yet for park beauty, it also coincided with more park budget going for recreation. So while we now cannot see or enjoy the creeks, we have a prison style outside workout station in Jordan Park, and a new skate park coming on board.
Although I recognize these new realities, I will give the park department or city hall administration no relief from my advocating for the traditional park values, which graced the picture postcards of Allentown's past.
Its funny that the weeds re-appeared shortly after the primary election. Perhaps its a proper metaphor for the current condition of City Hall.
ReplyDeleteI did notice that the weeds seem to be cut near the Cedar Beach pool. Maybe they'll return when the pool springs its next leak or the city runs short on lifeguards.
Off-topic, but I wanted to ask.
ReplyDeleteWas the Open Mike segment just a one-time return or will it become a regular occurrence?
It seemed to be well received.
The weeds have also reappeared along the Little Lehigh at the western end of Allentown. Our officials apparently have never heard of Lyme disease. I consider them not only unsightly, but evidence of the city's arrogance.
ReplyDeletethe tragedy is that the riparian buffers are totally for naught. Number one, the storm sewer system is piped under the buffers, directly into the streams. Number two, they must be cut down in the fall, so that the invasive species do NOT permanently take hold. They are totally inappropriate to the park system, but the Wildlands Conservancy caters in phony science to harvest grants, which they use for their own salaries.
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