Most of Lehigh Parkway lies in a deep ravine. The slope up to Lehigh Parkway South, across the creek from Robin Hood, is very steep, about 60 degrees. Unknown to many people, there is a diagonal trail on part of the slope, which comes out halfway up the hill behind the Stone and Log House.
We kids, who grew up in the Parkway, called it the Wagon Trail. I believe it was part of the Kemmerer Farm (Stone and Log House), which dates back to the late 1770's. In the 1950's, the foundation of a small kiln was still visible on the trail. The subsequent years had not been kind to the old trail, and it is no longer maintained by the Park Department. About halfway between it's entrance and exit on the hill, the trail has been blocked by a large fallen tree. People had dumped debris on the trail, and it remained there for years.
In April of 2010, I organized a cleanup. The park director at the time cooperated on the project. I agreed that no power tools would be used, and he arranged for the city to pick up the rubbish.
It is my hope that the new administration will realize that our parks are more than just space to cram more recreational gimmicks. They are steeped in history, and places where children can explore.
reprinted from previous years
Off topic for this post, but not off topic for this blog:
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the WPA wall across from Fountain Park (on the hill connecting Union Street to MLK Drive has sustained significant damage. Could have been a vehicle that hit it (I only saw it from the MLK side), but there's a significant part of the wall missing.
While repairs likely will have to wait for warmer weather, I guess we'll once again see how much the current occupants (some old, some new) of City Hall value our historic architectural heritage, or if they value it at all.
Two points to follow up on my post above:
ReplyDelete1) If it was a vehicle that hit the wall, hopefully it was reported and the drivers' insurance can pay for proper repairs to the wall.
2) I'm hoping that someone from the city collected and is safeguarding the original stones from the wall, so that any undamaged originals can be replaced.
Lived right across the street from that hill in the late 40's through the early 60's. Played on the wagon trail and surrounding woods all the time and remember the kiln. The trail was a good place to take a stroll with your girl friend. Many fond memories from growing up in that neighborhood.
ReplyDelete