While Mayor Tuerk and his park department brag and cut ribbons for a new gimmicks in the parks, they allow irreplaceable historic icons to deteriorate. Recently they demolished the large cherished picnic pavilion in Cedar Park, after submitting it to a decade of benign neglect. Likewise, they're submitting the historic barn to their neglect schedule.
The barn and current park office was the A.H. Balliet Pastime farm, predating most of Allentown's west end. The trolley to Dorney Park ran along the creek.Through the vision of Harry Trexler and others, the city acquired the farm in 1929.
Vines are extremely destructive to structures, both to the masonry and wood components. We need park leadership and personnel who have some understanding of infrastructure.
Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI drove past the barn the other day, and wondered why vines were being allowed to grow on it. With the parks department HQ right there, it’s literally right in front of them everyday.
If this is how things they see all the time are cared for, I can only imagine how neglected things further from their offices are treated. I believe Bogert’s Bridge continues to wait on a simple coat of paint.
Thank goodness that our Parks Director is an arborist. Once again we see how that’s paying off.
A stunning act of neglect.
ReplyDeleteLet’s be clear about this, more basketball at Steven’s Park isn’t going to solve any of that neighborhoods problems.
ReplyDeleteIt’s unlikely this mayor’s remembers when the local block watch captain and her daughter were killed in that tragic fire.
What this neighborhood needs is public safety. The neighborhood would be better served without any hoops and regular interaction with a real Community Police officer.
I remember when Apple’s the Clown had regular events at Steven’s Park and a bunch of APD officers and supervisors would be there interacting with the neighborhood people and kids.
ReplyDeleteEvery National Night Out the Steven’s Park Neighborhood Association held a big event.
There was some Community Organizers from somewhere involved as well. All that neighborhood activity seems to have disappeared. The APD Bike Patrol was a great help.
What happened?
anon@12:24: It is still a very active neighborhood park. Ark Foundation had its Easter Egg hunt there. Just yesterday I noticed two women with a table outside the Tilghman side entrance, not sure who they were signing up for what. I past by the park often, and it is always active. I question the need for a full court basketball. It seems to me that pickup games involve one basket. As usual, too many consultants in on the decision.
DeleteIs there still a Stevens Park Neighborhood Association?
DeleteI would be surprised if such a group would support full court basketball.
The vine is probably Virginia Creeper. Growing on buildings, brick or wood, it is a progressively damaging plant that attaches by adhesive discs that will damage the older soft barn bricks. If not removed, and removed correctly, the vine will continue to grow into the gutters and onto the roof and both will be damaged as a result. In addition, the plant's sap is an irritant to sensitive people and the berries contain poison. This is a serious threat to this building and may become a nuisance to the public. Correction is overdue. On a day like today when the City sends any number of Violation Notices to Allentown private property owners for negligent property maintenance, the sender gets caught turning a blind eye to their own building maintenance responsibilities.
ReplyDelete1:36- agree 1000%!!! When we see such examples and hear things like the "new" city hall leaked practically since built, in '64 (???), until the latest repairs, it makes one wonder why they force the taxpayers but not themselves... seems bass ackwards to me.
ReplyDeleteI see some ugly sumac. There park employees can’t even maintain their public buildings properly. For decades all they did was mow. Now they can’t even do that.
ReplyDeleteRemember he's so hip and cool. Guy is such a dork. He will ruin everything and anything because it's all about him. Voters will be sorry with this choice.
ReplyDeleteI want it restored! What has to be done?
ReplyDelete