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 9^th: 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

Yesterday's Volunteer Clean up at The Old Fairgrounds

Yesterday afternoon, in Cooperation with Friends of the Allentown Parks, Dr. Phil Stein of Temple Beth El collaborated with Jeff Pooley of the Old Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association , the Allentown Rescue Mission, and Dubbs UCC Church to do the first part of a multi-day volunteer clean up effort at the Old Fairgrounds Playground.





It was a deceptively mild November day, meaning that, as soon as you began raking and weeding it became quite hot and you sweat as if it were still summer. I was very glad to be able to participate in this wonderful volunteer activity. It is without a doubt, something that needs to happen more often in Allentown.

As we were working, a steady stream of young folks from the neighborhood joined in with excitement and spent their Sunday afternoon off from school shoveling mulch and working hard to help beautify a wonderful asset to downtown Allentown.


When we began our work, the mulch beds had been infiltrated by weeds and were in need of re-mulching. After amassing piles of waste and bagging them, the mulch beds were covered anew.



I want to personally thank this fellow named Bryan:

He worked with me for a long while and despite being disappointed by the non-availability of a shovel, put his back into it and really helped out. Great kid.

At a time when another downtown Allentown playground has suffered extreme vandalism, our effort on Sunday afternoon seemed that much more needed. As someone who enjoys the parks on a nearly daily basis, giving back to them whenever the chance is presented is something I believe to be the right thing to do. I am proud to do it. To be able to see a local community unite for an afternoon to help make a communal resource better was an amazing thing to be a part of.

Thanks again to everyone who organized this event and thanks to everyone who came out to work in support of it. I'm looking forward to the next time.

See Also:

Planting the Riparian Buffer at Cedar Beach