Save The Parks: The Work Begins!
Today, as I announce these first two events, I am proud to say that the time to act has arrived. Each one of you can make a difference by helping out at these events. The time has come to raise a hand to help rather than open a mouth or computer page to complain. In order to begin to curb the “brain drain”, to rebuild the spirit of a city that seems so muted these days - a strong community identity must be redeveloped in earnest.
What better way to do it than by working together to make something special happen?
No one else is going to do it folks – “We are the ones we have been waiting for”
APRIL 25th: Old Fairgrounds
Last October work began in earnest to clean up the litter and re-mulch the flowerbeds in this park. We worked on a strangely warm afternoon and were joined by many neighborhood kids as the day went along. It was a great day for the local community.
As was this case in October, this event has been organized and sponsored by The Friends of The Allentown Parks.
I want to thank the dedicated work that has been done by Friends to not only get this project going but to get the ball rolling on volunteer and community building events across the city.
This time around expect to help by painting equipment, weeding and mulching beds, and removing litter. The event will begin at 1 PM.
Here is the link to the Facebook Event page.
MAY 9th: Bucky Boyle Park
The arson committed in this park last year was a genuine affront to the spirit of community and change that has been long developing in this neighborhood. There is no better place to keep the spirit of community, of change, of restoration alive than here at Bucky Boyle. It is one of Allentown’s first parks and for years, Riverfront Park was the destination for thousands of Allentonians. Now, within a new neighborhood and in the rusty shadow of former industry, the park is a bright spot in downtown Allentown.
I have organized this Litter Pick Up in coordination with Friends of The Parks, Allentown’s Solid Waste Management (who will be donating gloves, bags and pickers) and the neighborhood organizations that want to see Bucky Boyle remain the bright spot it had been. The event will run from Noon to 3PM and light refreshments will also be offered.
There is an awesome subplot here as well:
“After last fall's arson, students at Sheridan Elementary organized a penny drive and raised over $700 towards the rebuilding of their beloved playground. “
This neighborhood is strong, and will become stronger and it is an honor to help it along the way.
We can and will begin to make a difference.
Here is the link to the Facebook Event Page.
I’m only getting warmed up….
SAVE THE PARKS
Labels: Bucky Boyle Park, Old Fairgrounds Playground, Save Our Parks
posted by Andrew Kleiner at
12:12 AM
17 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
andrew, previously you used the term "save the parks" in regard to removing invasive species, preventing stream erosion and opposing path paving. i commend you for litter cleanups, but will continue to question the stewardship of "Friends of the Parks" for their silence about cedar creek park and the new trail network plan.
again, i applaud your upcoming projects, but my computer will continue to speak out, especially against those groups which should be questioning the paving over of the parks. a visit yesterday to cedar park was very disappointing. last wednesday, as city council passed the trail network asphalt plan, i heard nothing from "Friends" or the EAC.
a local political action committee has asked me to help design a clean up project for them in the park system, which i expect to announce next week. it also will be a simple litter cleanup, but will not be saving the parks. i've had no success in that department, nor claim to. how was your meeting with weitzel? does this post constitute your report on that meeting?
Well, I can be there on May 9th - what should I bring?
Michael,
This is just the first two events of what I hope to be many. I will be recapping my meeting with Greg very soon, I haven't yet because there are a few things I am waiting to see to fruition.
Also, when you announce your clean up, I would be very glad to post it over here as well, we are all working together to get the right stuff done sir.
Katie,
Nothing, everything is taken care of. Thanks though.
I regret to say that for most park users I know, Friends of the Parks has lost all creditability.
Friends of The Parks is the organization that is making any and all possible volunteer activities like these, and future events possible. I can't speak for Friends, but I will tell you that the organization is working hard to better the future of the park system.
I realize alot of my readers would have liked Friends to make a strong condemnation of the Cedar Beach project and whatever other issues they themselves don't like in the park system.
As of this moment, Friends is the one organization working as hard as I am to raise awareness, start educational programs and begin the real work of volunteer stewardship.
I am glad for their help.
Friends of the Parks does nice little projects while Cedar Beach Park is raped. Friends of the Park fiddles while Rome burns. The Parks have never looked worse. Major issues go unaddrested, while Friends is MIA. The EAC, do they do anything? Agree with 9:39, these groups have no creditability what so ever. NONE. It's not about what people do or don't "like" Andrew. As you yourself have said again & again,it's about good stewardship and good management and what professionals have been saying for years about what's right for the parks and the streams. Good stewardship is not a popularity contest sir. Count me as one of many who see Friends of the Parks as a sad joke. With "Friends" like these..........
Crime Watch groups and others have been doing neighborhood park clean-ups for years, decades even. For some years now, "Clean and Green" has been assisting these groups. No group need Friends of the Parks to do volunteer clean-ups. Who do you think you are kidding ? 17 park workers laid off, at 40 hours a week, that is 680 hours of professional man hours of work. You going to make that up with volunteers? You and Friends of the Park are not even a decent bandaid while the parks, as you have documented, bleed.
It is astounding to me as a person of 26 years of age, that as initiatives are begun that folks on here, (anonymously) speak ill of them.
First of all, I am glad that neighborhood groups have been doing them for years. If any of these groups do any this summer, I will be glad to advertise them on Remember. Until this very moment in time, I have never heard of such events and I absoultely seek them out.
Andrew Kleiner, Friends of the Parks, The EAC, whoever else... Do you really think that any of us by making a statement (AS I HAVE OVER AND OVER AGAIN), are going to reverse the damage done? No. What has happened has happened.
Now, on April 13th, with a city council ready to make public hearings before any new construction, (And if they dont follow through, well we cross that bridge...), and a Friends organization actively developing volunteer programs
and me working my tail off to see these things done,
the process of change, of betterment is beginning because all of us independently are working together to make a difference.
More, and bigger plans are currently being worked out, but please be patient.
In the meantime, I suggest you save the vile comments and use your energy to help out at these functions.
Whats vile is what was done to Cedar Creek Park.
Anon 4:34
Your Cedar Beach opinion is fine, however, these two events I have posted today have nothing at all to do with Cedar Beach.
These events are community building activities that not only help maintain our parks but help the neighborhoods they are in building stronger ties.
If you want to see better conditions in our parks, please, come and help. Come to council meeting as future plans are discussed.
Again, what has happened has happened. We are trying to change the future.
For the record, I am working on a big project at Cedar beach and as soon as more details are figured out, when announced, I hope to see you there, whoever you are.
Ah, Andrew me boy, with you tis like the Springtime; in like a lion, out like a lamb! {Underwhelming performance at the city
council meeting. You'll no doubt get tougher as you get a little older.} Just for the record.
P.S. Save the Parks.
The hysteria over cedar beach is ridiculous - give it a couple of years and see what happens. The parks are going to be fine. Clean ups and tours and community education are all good things. Don't let the vitriolic couch potatoes get you down.
"underwhelming performance" - deemed by who? by the commenter? Did s/he perform to satisfaction at the meeting? love those Monday morning quarterbacks!
Perhaps, if I performed the tango in a red dress, my performance would have been much more impressive.
Anon 9:13,you appear to know nothing about environmentally correct management of a large park system. You should have some idea of the current poor state of Allentown's parks if you read this blog. Many of the people who are concerned about the state of the parks, and who comment on it here, are very active walkers, runners, fisherman or other wise daily park users. When you call them couch potatoes you show your great ignorance. " The parks will be fine." Ask Andrew how fine they are, and learn something about environmentally sound management before you open your mouth.
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