The Little Bridge Of Lehigh Parkway

A few years ago, new and young visitors to the park would have no idea that a magnificent miniature bridge crossed a spring run to the Little Lehigh. Certainly, such a stone construction wasn't necessary to cross the 24 inch waterway. It was built in a era of masonry art, fueled by the Great Depression, and funded by Roosevelt's WPA. Over the last decade, budgetary cutbacks and environmentalists demanding riparian zones, justified allowing it to be consumed by brush and saplings. In 2010, I persuaded Mike Gilbert, park department manager, to partially clear around the bridge. Although a tree now blocks its southern approach, the bridge has been given a reprieve on its destruction.

reprinted from 2012

ADDENDUM JULY 18, 2022: While it has been another decade since I had the miniature bridge uncovered, I'm sorry to report that the WPA structures still remain a low priority with the city. While the wall into Lehigh Parkway has been restored out of necessity to retain entrance to the park, neglect for the other structures continues. I will continue to publicly complain about this shortcoming in the city's vision.

ADDENDUM JULY 7, 2025: Since I started campaigning for the spring pond and miniature bridge, it had been cleared twice...Once by by the city in 2010, and several years later by Friends of Allentown Parks, under Karen El-Chaar. A couple months ago, I again campaigned for the structure with a person influential with the park department. I'm happy to report that the miniature bridge has been cleaned up, along with one side of the spring pond. Although the stones lining the pond have not been cleared off, I'm grateful for the work that has been done, and hope that it remains on their schedule.