Just west of the Robin Hood Bridge is a fountain which quenched the thirst of my summer days. Built during the WPA era, it overlooked the creek. Although the water was turned off years ago, so now is the view. The weeds and assorted invasives growing are not a riparian buffer. Science says that a buffer has to be 25feet wide to be of any value. A reader described this thin strip of wild growth as
neglect, masquerading as conservation. All it does is block both the view and access to the waterway. It denies our current citizens the beauty and experience for which the parks were designed. Although the Wildland's Conservancy would like you to believe that the Allentown Parks are there to be wildlands, in reality they were designed by landscape architects, to provide the citizens of Allentown with what Harry Trexler called
serenity. He did also appreciate conservation, but for that he created the Trexler Game Preserve, north of Allentown. There are places in the parks which can accommodate the riparian buffer zones, without compromising the intended public experience of waterway view and access. Riparians could be created and maintained in the western side of Lehigh Parkway, between the pedestrian bridge and Bogerts Bridge. In Cedar Park, the riparian section could be in western side, between the last walking bridge and Cedar Crest Blvd. It's time that the parks were given back to the citizens of Allentown. They are not funded, or intended by our tax dollars and the Trexler Trust, just to be a venue for the Wildland's Conservancy to harvest grants. Let a child again giggle by the creek's edge. Let us get back our intended park experience.
reprinted from August of 2013
We were both 16, Cindy Kunkle and I. We had a Hippie wedding there in 72. Flowers in your hair thing. Reception at Mickey D's, oh to be young again!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree!! When I ride the Lanta Van and go past some parts of the Park system to me all it looks like is overgrown weeds by the water’s edge. Not at all attractive or beckoning as the Little Lehigh Creek did in my childhood!!
ReplyDeletePlease, please Trexler Trust turn it back to what it once was so our grandchildren and future generations can enjoy it!!
anon@9:36: Although Trexler Trust makes a substantial contribution to the park department budget, policy is decided by the department and city, not the trust.
ReplyDeleteI was just down to Canal Park in East Allentown. I was amazed they cleared the weeds along the canal so you can once again have access
ReplyDeleteanon@4:38: Twice a season, beginning and end, the city is compelled to clear so that the invasives don't overwhelm. Unfortunately throughout the summer the banks are overgrown and inaccessible.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there is a new director, and there will also be a new foreman... providing a chance that policy might change.
Michael, what a disgrace the park system is! Drove by Lake Muhlenberg yesterday… what do people from other cities think when they see the condition of the lake and the banks of the Cedar Creek? The lake and the Island in the center looks like no one cares!!!
ReplyDeleteThere was a large event at the J. Birney Crum Stadium on Sunday… I’m sure people from around the area parked on surrounding roads near the lake. I imagine they wonder what the heck Allentown is trying to accomplish with their Parks Department. Looks like a great place to pick up some DEER TICKS…
JUST SAYIN!!!