tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post4622656260170959928..comments2024-03-29T01:02:53.128-04:00Comments on MOLOVINSKY ON ALLENTOWN: Trexler Smiles, Landing Revealedmichael molovinskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-10693129667834897132009-10-13T15:11:59.594-04:002009-10-13T15:11:59.594-04:00the feature i remember most on the island was the ...the feature i remember most on the island was the concrete bench inlaid with pieces of glass or tile.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-6850265559405175332009-10-13T15:05:16.679-04:002009-10-13T15:05:16.679-04:00MM said.. the bridge at robin hood hasn't gott...<b>MM said.. <em>the bridge at robin hood hasn't gotten any longer</em></b><br /><br />No in fact in 9th grade we had a class picnic there (Central Jr HS Section 9-2 Russell Heydt's homeroom) and swam in the creek. <em>Looks the same then as today</em>LVCIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034343739402945565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-72287095837148068322009-10-13T14:56:36.904-04:002009-10-13T14:56:36.904-04:00MM the area you guys worked on was indeed next to ...MM the area you guys worked on was indeed next to an island that had picnic tables and a fire pit. You got onto that island by a small wooden foot bridge which had a WPA water fountain running 24/7 in front of the bridge.<br /><br />Almost all of this area is now almost 100% weeded and mucked over. You'd hardly recognize it now!<br /><br />Mom took us there many times as kids. We'd eat on that little island's stone grill (fired up by gathered sticks). Great parental bonding!<br /><br />We also used to walk to <a href="http://www.waldheimpark.org/" rel="nofollow"> Waldheim Park </a> from SW 27th street, where I grew up. We'd stop along the way at the Pavilions in the water reservoir area for a picnic grilling & a drink out of the continuously running pavilion's water fountain before going to the little home built wooden rides they had there (push merry-go-round).<br /><br />S. Mtn is covered in old paths mostly obstructed by RT309 when it came through. No studies needed. Just talk to anyone who grew up around here!LVCIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034343739402945565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-16237456831289787812009-10-13T14:26:59.077-04:002009-10-13T14:26:59.077-04:00lvci, i also question the erosion, having gown up...lvci, i also question the erosion, having gown up in lehigh parkway. the bridge at robin hood hasn't gotten any longer, nor has the creek gotten wider. years ago those "old dummies" planted willow trees along the banks, and they did a good job of stabilizing the banks. how about those jerks in paris and rome with rivers going through the city for 2000 years with no buffers.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-67480224925659796102009-10-13T13:22:22.519-04:002009-10-13T13:22:22.519-04:00Sadly (or not) I'm old enough to have a bit of...Sadly (<em>or not</em>) I'm old enough to have a bit of a laugh over this. Way back when, the WPA intensely labored to remove all that.<br /><br />Then comes along today's youthful ways to think the WPA era didn't know what they were doing based on some sort 2009 themed environmental scientific precepts.<br /><br /><b>I PROMISE</b> in 20 or 30 years from now, some future youth will once more think what is being done today is environmentally incorrect.<br /><br />At some point future environmental specialists' will be taking all this apart again under some newly evolved environmental theory just as surely as the sun shall rise.<br /><br />The argument the creek banks are going to wash away: They've been there ever since the WPA projects. Are they gone? NOPE!<br /><br />Riparian buffers will cleanse the Cedar Creek's water from 100's of square miles of city street runoffs? NOPE!<br /><br />City parks should look like forests and meadows? NOPE!<br /><br />City Parks should become Max Yeager (Woodstock) like venues? NOPE<br /><br />I'm not trying to be a smart ass, honest. But a 'floodplain' is none of the above... and I'm finding this whole thing amusing. We've come a long way from when...<br /><br />1,000's of hippies loitered, parked bumper to bumper, smoked weed, gathered for concerts and trampled the grass in the Lehigh Parkway.<br />OR<br />When cars parked inside Trexler Park and 100's picnicked on the grass smoking cigarettes<br />OR<br />People lit the Pavilions on fire up on S. Mtn. Reservoir burning them to down (several times)<br />OR<br />1,000's of ducks and geese polluted the lake at Cedar Beach (which once people used to pee & swim in)<br />OR<br />Many swam in the Lehigh River at what was then 'River Front Park'<br />OR<br />The city had over 20 fountains running 24/7 in nearly all the parks, pools and some city streets (Center Square, etc.)<br />OR<br />Bums living under the steps at Fountain. Park<br /><br />Therefore I'm quite impressed how far these parks already have come and see little need for all this brew ha ha and tweaking<br />:-)LVCIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09034343739402945565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-13801610563449214842009-10-13T12:23:38.114-04:002009-10-13T12:23:38.114-04:00I don't know how many trees are going in, but ...I don't know how many trees are going in, but it will be in the open grassy space by the Robin Hood bridge.<br /><br />Andrew,<br />you don't mean the open hillside leading to L.P. North where disc golf holes are?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-90790316532497634462009-10-13T12:20:59.692-04:002009-10-13T12:20:59.692-04:00landscape architect. THE NEW LOOP IS A MIDWAY FOR ...landscape architect. THE NEW LOOP IS A MIDWAY FOR EVENTS TO EXPAND OVER ACROSS OTT ST., JUST AS I SAID THREE MONTHS AGO. <br /><br />andrew, you and the "park friend" can look "into" it, but until you come out and speak against it, your silence serves as approval.<br /><br />October 13, 2009 11:41 AM<br /><br /><br />Sadly, you were right. That's why Weitzel is so quiet most of the time. He is destroying this once tranquil setting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-48573765893074477972009-10-13T11:41:07.211-04:002009-10-13T11:41:07.211-04:00andrew, i know what's up. i studied the diag...andrew, i know what's up. i studied the diagram and spoke with weitzel. The existing path is for the walkers with regular exercise. the new loop is for senior citizens with special new exercise stations. the top path is for the bikes. the criss cross paths is to connect everything in several places. i asked weitzel if couldn't at least the existing path also accommodate the senior exercise, he said he would have to ask the landscape architect. THE NEW LOOP IS A MIDWAY FOR EVENTS TO EXPAND OVER ACROSS OTT ST., JUST AS I SAID THREE MONTHS AGO. <br /><br />andrew, you and the "park friend" can look "into" it, but until you come out and speak against it, your silence serves as approval.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-38083433632524390762009-10-13T11:14:22.508-04:002009-10-13T11:14:22.508-04:00I know you and I don't see eye to eye on some ...I know you and I don't see eye to eye on some things, like tree planting but it is my hope that overall, we mow less in the parks and in turn save maintenance costs, etc. and in turn allow wildlife habitat and visually pleasing plant life to develop. All these paths however, are not in that vein of thinking. I'm still trying to find out what is up.Andrew Kleinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03766250794520292541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-31845933999912470882009-10-13T10:57:34.622-04:002009-10-13T10:57:34.622-04:00i have been an opponent of all the tree planting i...i have been an opponent of all the tree planting in the parks. in addition to ruining the visual contrast, it greatly complicates the mowing. years ago the parks were efficiency cut with large gang mowers pulled by tractors. also, it greatly reduces the amount of space available for passive recreation.<br /><br />the new playground at cedar beach will now occupy the only open space remaining on that side of ott street. the overlapping paths will take care of the "open space" problem across ott street on the rose garden side.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-63842556574104220342009-10-13T10:44:47.358-04:002009-10-13T10:44:47.358-04:00andrew, in addition to the main existing path bein...andrew, in addition to the main existing path being black-topped, so will the three new paths between the creek and honochick drive. that open space will be no more, just a maze of paths.<br /><br />it's a funny thing about that open space, plant some tree's and it's no longer open. what made allentown parks so beautiful was the contrast between the wooded area's, and the open spaces. our parks our being severely depreciated by conflicting "good intentions".michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-48387803898703800562009-10-13T10:33:43.599-04:002009-10-13T10:33:43.599-04:00Anon 6:27, I was told all the gravel paths around ...Anon 6:27, I was told all the gravel paths around the rose gardens are going to be black topped. <br /><br />Anon 7:57, The plants that are going into the Parkway are actually the result of a fundraiser for WDIY that had people purchase trees. I don't know how many trees are going in, but it will be in the open grassy space by the Robin Hood bridge.Andrew Kleinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03766250794520292541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-62347662060934527382009-10-13T07:57:39.177-04:002009-10-13T07:57:39.177-04:00Andrew Kleiner said...
There are more native plan...Andrew Kleiner said...<br /><br />There are more native plant installations happening soon and I believe the next one is going to be in the Parkway.<br /><br />Andrew -<br /><br />Do you know where in the Parkway?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-937084698551468012009-10-13T06:27:23.367-04:002009-10-13T06:27:23.367-04:00Andrew Kleiner said...
I was surprised to learn t...Andrew Kleiner said... <br />I was surprised to learn today that the paths around the reflection ponds and the new riparian areas we have planted will be paved. It is rough on runners and increases runoff which will be tough for the vegetation next spring as it develops. It does prevent the constant stream of gravel into the creek but it is a real catch-22 and I haven't heard any other options laid out on the table.<br /><br />October 12, 2009 2:16 PM<br /><br /><br />What does this mean? Paved? The grasses will be paved? What materials will be used? Blacktop, Cement. Whatever the reasons city is citing for paving, it is not because soft ground is too hard for runners. That is not true.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-68856360003845502252009-10-13T06:23:51.745-04:002009-10-13T06:23:51.745-04:00Maybe the city will now clear the weeds and overgr...Maybe the city will now clear the weeds and overgrowth around this site and make it welcoming to the public.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-29033270663682605392009-10-12T19:27:15.399-04:002009-10-12T19:27:15.399-04:00Mike -
I had wanted to come and join you all but ...Mike -<br /><br />I had wanted to come and join you all but I ended up having to do to work Saturday morning. If you do organize another foray to finish the work, I hope to join you. This is fantastic work that you all have done.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15294395112603289513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-65983854203602308712009-10-12T16:18:14.277-04:002009-10-12T16:18:14.277-04:00that image does not enlarge, sorrythat image does not enlarge, sorrymichael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-60876243177700298302009-10-12T16:12:14.395-04:002009-10-12T16:12:14.395-04:00andrew and "friend", just scroll down o...andrew and "friend", just scroll down on this blog to the post of sept. 28th. it shows the new path loop on the west side of ott and also you can see at top second additional path along honochick drive. that path also goes along hamilton street. on the pool side. click on the image to enlarge.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-59504695161570166202009-10-12T15:43:27.744-04:002009-10-12T15:43:27.744-04:00One reason is likely that city will not confirm or...One reason is likely that city will not confirm or deny the information that you put in your post. I called and asked and got no answer from the city. I am a Friend of the Park.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-70864238967013995892009-10-12T15:34:34.430-04:002009-10-12T15:34:34.430-04:00Those steps should remain uncovered.
I am not up...Those steps should remain uncovered. <br /><br />I am not up to speed on what is going on with path building but I am going to look into it.Andrew Kleinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03766250794520292541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-18813618858386851322009-10-12T15:13:47.866-04:002009-10-12T15:13:47.866-04:00andrew, as you may have noticed, on this blog i do...andrew, as you may have noticed, on this blog i documented the new path loop being put in the area south of the creek. this is in addition to the existing walking path, plus there's actually a third path being put across the top of the park, on both sides of ott. why the "Friends of the Parks", yourself and others don't speak out is beyond me.<br /><br />recovering those steps would be a crime against the citizens of allentown.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-11402656809782640582009-10-12T14:16:51.943-04:002009-10-12T14:16:51.943-04:00I was surprised to learn today that the paths arou...I was surprised to learn today that the paths around the reflection ponds and the new riparian areas we have planted will be paved. It is rough on runners and increases runoff which will be tough for the vegetation next spring as it develops. It does prevent the constant stream of gravel into the creek but it is a real catch-22 and I haven't heard any other options laid out on the table.Andrew Kleinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03766250794520292541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-12916313041219134732009-10-12T14:13:08.430-04:002009-10-12T14:13:08.430-04:00ironpig, if the city doesn't clear at least t...ironpig, if the city doesn't clear at least the landing at the base of the steps, i will attempt to organize another mission.<br /><br />andrew, i also appreciate john muir and natural spaces. if that is the proper use of the city parks is debatable. at any rate, it appears that the city wants natural streambanks, but a macadam, tupperware, go kart track for the remainder; what a balancing act!michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-6754917835110796082009-10-12T14:05:07.208-04:002009-10-12T14:05:07.208-04:00It would be great if the city saw the work done th...It would be great if the city saw the work done this past weekend in Cedar Beach and the Parkway, and sees the work that is going to be done this weekend and takes it as example. Many park workers stopped by and talked to us about what we were doing and why, etc... Now, we have to make sure it isn't mowed down and that your staircase isn't recovered.Andrew Kleinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03766250794520292541noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951782330457966647.post-76255899802437179782009-10-12T13:15:16.675-04:002009-10-12T13:15:16.675-04:00andrew, as I'm sure you noticed, there still i...andrew, as I'm sure you noticed, there still is a section of the landing which needs to be cleared. (disregarding the remainder of the structure to the left and right). considering that this was a gift to the people of allentown from the WPA, it is my hope that the city removes that remaining dirt.michael molovinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12581039755319742687noreply@blogger.com