The crowning glory of Lehigh Parkway was completed in 1941, the Robin Hood Bridge. Its curved stone end piers, and its two oval middle piers, were designed to compliment and mirror the long stone entrance wall into the park.
As a boy in 1955, living in the housing development above the park, I remember marveling about how high the water arose the morning after Hurricane Diane.
As an advocate for the WPA in 2020, I'm saddened to see the damage that Isaias inflicted upon the bridge last week. The stone top of one the stone piers, which serves as a wall and railing anchor, was smashed off and lies on the bridge, which itself is full of debris. With perhaps record high water, I speculate that a tree trunk or limb battered the stone buttress loose.
The main park entrance wall is in the process of a long overdue stone repointing. We now have an extra, unexpected repair which must be made. I am optimistic that both the city and Trexler Trust will meet the challenge.
PLEASE,PLEASE save and repair this bridge. Born and raised in Allentown , it makes me sad to see all the Historic buildings they have done away with. No longer proud to say Im from Allentown!
ReplyDeleteDidn't the greatest president since the builder of these archetecual marvels provide grant money for there restoration? Mike we can be sure if grants are harvested too restore and preserve the money will go to places unseen in Allentown PA's destruction efforts.
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