As an advocate for the traditional park system in Allentown, I was never a fan of Lights In The Parkway. However, after thirty years or so, we now have a second generation being taken on a drive through the park to see the lights.
Allentown just had its first ever Christmas tree lighting in the Rose Garden. Placed in the middle of the garden path, if a Christmas tree can ever be out of place, it must be this one. It clashes with the serenity of the winter garden. The tree was sponsored by Rose Garden Neighborhood Association, which claims to support Allentown's historic Malcolm W. Gross Rose Garden.
I wish that the mayor and park director had enough familiarity with our parks and their history to have politely declined the offer by the adjoining neighborhood group.
ADDENDUM: I've been informed that the Allentown Parknership has decided against my inclusion on their board. Today's post probably reaffirms their decision. Apparently, institutional knowledge of the traditional park system and expertise on the WPA structures have less value than I had hoped.
Don't beat yourself up, Mike... every dog has his day. As Gump would say "stupid is as stupid does"... This city is it's own worst enemy.
ReplyDeleteIf they don't want expertise, so be it... their and our loss.
I recall that for a year or two, a former mayor who came from Chicago decided to move the 4th of July fireworks celebration from ASD Stadium to Queen City Airport. That flopped for a number of reasons.
ReplyDeleteI don't recall Allentown ever having an annual "Christmas Tree", and given our current woke mayor, I'm suprised he is not calling it a "Holiday Tree" (you know, to show inclusivity). Looking at the photograph, the festival in which it was presented was not a well-attended event.
Now, I do like the idea of a city Christmas Tree, perhaps it needs a new location, like the historic Trout Hall, which could also be decorated for the holiday.
And perhaps the tree could be a bit larger, so people could actually notice it. And decorated with lights as well ?
The event was well attended by the sponsoring Neighborhood group. I chose this photo because it emphasized the mayor. Even in the three department store heydays, the Christmas decorations were mostly limited to the flashing holiday lights mounted on the Hamilton Street lamp posts, and the PPL display. If the city should have a Christmas tree is beyond my pay grade, however, I don't think that it should be in the Rose Garden.
DeleteJust one more thing the woke culture and it's fruitloops will destroy even further.
ReplyDeleteThe hipster mayor seems to believe that he is a character in his own Reality Television Show.
ReplyDeleteWe have had one in West Park for the past several years. It is placed on the stage of the closed band shell. As the park is rather dormant in the winter it adds some welcome holiday color. To my surprise it has never been vandalized. Matt came to our lighting, was welcomed as The Mayor and made some brief and kind comments about the WPCA. It was a good event.
ReplyDeleteI remember as a kid back in the 60’s, the City would decorate the monument at Center Square as a huge Christmas Tree. Two circular fixtures were suspended from the monument…small one at the top and a much larger one at the bottom. Then green garland was hung from top to bottom to form the shape of a tree. Hanging from the garland were white lights and large Christmas decorations.
ReplyDeleteThe department stores had wonderfully decorated front windows and the Mom & Pop shops were always decorated nicely. My cousins and my sister and myself would walk up Hamilton Street to check out the 5&10 stores and always hang out on the sidewalk waiting for the next Pip the Mouse show in front of Hess Brother’s Department store. Around dusk the monument would light up and the decorated bell lights fixed atop the light poles would light and start to swing from left to right In unison.
Oooo! And another thing. There were lots of people and shoppers downtown.
Ahhh, the good old days!!!
Bethlehem has its tree at Payrow Plaza; I don't know why Allentown shouldn't have a Christmas Tree. My memory is lacking -is there no large enough area in Center Square, perhaps on the PPL Center corner, to set up a tree?
ReplyDeleteAllentown has a large tree in the Arts Park on 5th st across from the art museum. Plenty of room at Center Square but they moved it from there a few years ago.
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