Feb 13, 2024

Smelling The Roses In Allentown

Last summer I posted about the city purchasing two parcels supposedly for the park system, using funds from the water and sewage lease deal. The transactions interested me, because the last thing the park department needed was more area not to take care of. Although the main stream media never picked up on my revelation, a pit bull from Nazareth now has that bone. Although this blog chronicles the short comings of the park department, especially in regard to the WPA, there is one section, of one park, which receives no criticism.

Paul Pozzi started working for the department in 1979. In 1985, he joined the small crew at the Rose and Old Fashion Gardens. For the last decade, the gardens have been solely under his magnificent care. We who take solace in that magic place owe him a debt of gratitude.

photo by molovinsky, flowers by Paul Pozzi 

above reprinted from August of 2015

ADDENDUM FEBRUARY 13, 2024:Mr. Pozzi, after over forty five years working for the park depaartment, has retired. If his replacement comes to know half as much about the gardens, or works half as hard, we'll still be in good shape. Thank you Paul!

4 comments:

  1. West Park was under similar care until Lee retired. The parks department couldn't find anyone who wanted to take over. I hope the Rose Garden fairs better than the basic maintenance only care West Park has received since.

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  2. 7:55 - That explains a lot about West Park.

    Not sure who Lee was or when he retired, but there’s been a notable downgrade there. It was particularly noticeable when the leaves came down in the fall, and trash remains a constant problem.

    I’ve seen the same broken glass on the walkways for weeks, and that’s not good for those visiting the park with kids or their pets. I suppose that now the glass will be thrown into different areas as the snow is (hopefully) cleared, but that will just spread the problem over a wider area, not solve it.

    In the meantime, the school district seems content to allow truant students to roam free there during the day, and the city seems ok with vagrants sleeping there at night.

    It’s almost like they don’t want actual tax paying residents to use the park. Imagine that.

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    Replies
    1. Lee was the park employee whose assignment was to care for West Park. He did a great job. He retired at least 15-20 years ago.

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  3. I’d like to wish Paul the best in retirement it’s been long time, Paul started with city in 1973 and had 51 yrs of employment.i started with Paul in Rose garden in 1990 and I’m still with city, but not trying to top Paul. lol best of luck buddy.

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