The Robin Hood Bridge

I grew up in Little Lehigh Manor, the red brick twins above Lehigh Parkway's south ridge. When I played in the park, the WPA structures were kept in pristine condition, they were the pride of Allentown. On Hamilton Street you could purchase picture postcards of the parks and its various structures. Among the available cards was the one shown above of the Robin Hood Bridge. This crowning glory of Lehigh Parkway was completed in 1941. Its curved stone end piers, and its two oval middle piers, were designed to complement and mirror the long stone entrance wall into the park.

Since 2013, the bridge has been despoiled with the rubble of the little dam built to complement the bridge. Broken concrete from the former little dam was piled around the beautiful stone piers, turning a beautiful sight into an eyesore. It certainly would never grace a picture postcard in its current sad state.

Removing that rubble should not be a big chore for a city which once graced picture postcards sent around the country.