On Labor Day in 2011, The Morning Call ran a story about my efforts in regard to the neglected WPA structures, and announced my upcoming meeting at the Allentown Library. Among those in attendance at that meeting was Karen El-Chaar, director of Friends Of The Allentown Parks. Later that year, I took El-Chaar on a tour of the WPA structures throughout the park system. In 2013, I conducted my first tour of the WPA in Lehigh Parkway, in conjunction with Friends Of The Parks. This year, El-Chaar successfully secured a grant from The Trexler Trust, which is currently being used to restore the steps at Fountain Park. The grant is being supervised by Lindsay Taylor, Allentown Park Director. The work is being done by Dietrich Stonemasonry, and managed by parks supervisor, Rick Holtzman.
Although much work remains to be done, it's my sense that all the decision makers mentioned above, are developing a greater appreciation of the unique gift that the WPA bestowed upon the Allentown park system. I'm hoping that both that interest and work continues this coming spring and summer, especially in preserving the remaining portion of the wall in Lehigh Parkway.
reprinted from October 19, 2015
ADDENDUM DECEMBER 11, 2024:The Allentown park system is getting a large hand up from the new Parknership, funded by both Trexler Trust and Rider- Pool Foundation. Although if truth be told, the work done on the WPA structures has resulted from my advocacy, I have been excluded from the new organization. It is my hope that work continues on the structures, it is long overdue.
Bogert's Bridge is in desperate need of maintenance and hopefully will be included in their plans.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bogert's Bridge is in horrid shape paintwise. Why were we able to do so much with so little years ago, yet we now do so little with so much??? Where did the train derail???
DeleteWhen I was a kid, the parks were manicured... today they look like the dickens in many places!!!
It is my understanding that a large grant has been received to rebuild the bridge with some historic preservation contractor. I agree that it should have been maintained with proper paint and roofing all along. Likewise the park department, rather than maintain the picnic pavilions at Cedar Park, are allowing them to degrade, with a plan for smaller metal replacements. I question the park department's current leadership.
DeleteIf anyone cared to notice, letting things go to hell has/is happening thruout most of Allentown, just like in the parks, by little or withheld performance. Witness our non policing police and our non working parks employees. There is room for work improvement in both departments. I'd be ashamed to take a paycheck for below prime work. Nobody cares/wants to do their job to the pinnacle of performance... just doing the minimum isn't cutting it, folks. I call this "on the job retirement".
DeleteBoth the police officers and park workers do as told by their supervisors. The park workers are told not to cut the "buffers", and the police are apparently told not to enforce double parking. The problem lies with Tuerk. However, I sense that chief Roca isn't protesting too much. In the case of the parks, their director (Mandy Tolino) defends the weed wall.
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