Being an almost exclusively local park blogger for almost a year now, I hope that I haven’t surprised you with my recent posts on national climate issues. The weight of the decision the Senate makes regarding the upcoming Climate Bill is enormous, and the results of passing real change inducing legislation will shake the world in a positive way. I can’t help but feel compelled to post on such a landmark moment for America.

This bill is also rather indicative of our local political scene as well as our local environmental awareness. The inaction of our federal government for decades on climate issues can be seen here in the streets of Allentown. The invasive species issue is not new, neither is the issue of watershed health. It is only now, as some parks in Allentown have nearly degraded to a point of environmental abandonment is concern being raised and plans drafted to address these issues.

Nationally, the entire country is exactly where we are. The zeitgeist of modern America currently, for the most part, ignores, denies or refutes the reality of a changing climate be it man-made or not. Our climate is changing, and the affects of this change are unpredictable and in all likelihood, disastrous for humanity as a species.

Here at home, on the rust of our industrial past, Allentown Pennsylvania has the opportunity to ignore that increasing sentiment of ignorance and begin to turn the tide against poor environmental practices on a local level. Accomplishing such a goal can be dismissed as far-fetched, too lofty, or and I hear this quite often, too dreamy.

Recently, councilman Peter Schweyer called upon Allentown’s City Council to adopt such a vision, to help give Allentown and Allentonians a greater purpose. Such a purpose would put our eyes on the future and turn them from the Rockwellian images of Hess’ and Hamilton Boulevard in 1954 that so often seem to dominate the planning process of our city. The empty warehouses, the Neuweiler beer plant and the countless properties of blight in our downtown are testament to such a nostalgic focus.

Turning towards our future, in thought, spirit and action can and will change Allentown in substance and soul. Approving a plan that will encouraging walking and bicycling will help us get there. Building urban and community gardens across our downtown will help us get there. Refocusing our parks to serve as environmentally healthy classrooms that will expose a generation of children to the breath stealing wonder of nature will help us get there. Those kids will grow up in a world they expect to see that nature is valued. Those kids will have the sort of legacy that at best, is what we want to leave them after we are gone.

It doesn’t stop there. Allentown can, rather should, begin refocusing, block by block on infrastructure, livability, and environmental awareness. This is how new jobs get created. Trying to return our city to some dream of days gone by will lead us nowhere but further into degradation.

Support the Plaza Growers Market every week during the summer.
Plant a vegetable garden in your yard.
Do not eat at chain restaurants, eat locally.
Buy from Farmer’s Markets.

This list goes on and on. This is not advanced calculus. This is intelligent; common sense decision making that benefits everyone both immediately and in the long run. The things I just listed are the first steps we need to take individually.

Tonight, city council will vote to approve the trail network plan and it is in my opinion that this is the first step our local government needs to take. .

Setting this example locally and successfully as has been done in other municipalities all across our country; we will set the stage for a federal government that in the future would need not debate the merit of a sweeping climate reform.

They would know, based on what has happened all across the country, that it is just common sense and to do otherwise would be foolish.

Once our eyes are opened here at home, we can open the eyes of America and in turn, open the eyes the world.

During the trail presentation to city council on Wednesday night there was talk of other cities that adopted similar trail networks and the resulting positive economic impact as well as the strong community bonds that are forged through such a system. I did not doubt the authenticity of these claims, but I was curious to see what I could find out about these programs.

The first thing I learned is that interconnected systems of parks and urban landmarks are far from new ideas. As a matter of fact, the idea used to be defined by the term “park system” and London England gets the credit for the first one. Other cities followed suit and interconnected parks began springing up across Europe and into America. In the 1880’s, Frederick Law Olmstead created the “Emerald Necklace” in Boston Massachusetts, and it exists to this day.

As town planning became city planning and then urban planning, the design and purpose of park systems changed. The idea of greenways returning nature to the concrete jungles of 20th century cities became the focus of planning such systems. In an increasingly urban world, these strips of green serve as a reminder of the rural and of our connection with nature.

Looking up the specific projects mentioned during the city council meeting was a surprising experience. Instead of finding a lack on information, my Google searches were flooded by website after website: academic journal entry, community webpages, blogs, fan pages, etc..

Across America trails are happening folks. As close as York or Harrisburg, the positive economic benefits of such plans have been extensively documented. Trail systems like the one proposed for Allentown have been proven success in nearly every state in our union. Each city has dedicated volunteers who help maintain the trails and in Nashville TN, there is a state wide hiking club that offers daily hikes somewhere on the interconnected trails that stretch across the entire state. (And, TN is a loooong state. I have had to drive across it, not much fun.)

What the research I have done has shown me is that in case after case, these greenway systems dramatically alter and change the areas where they are developed in a positive way.

As I stated yesterday, I still have issues with parts of this plan and it is an absolute necessity to avoid paving in watershed areas. Stay involved. I certainly will. Each part of the plan will be up for public debate as it is implemented. We can keep making it better. It is time for everyone in this city who cares to step up to the plate with our elected officials and take a swing for the fences. We all need to be involved to ensure that this plan is implemented in the best way possible as well as the most environmentally sound way possible. We are a community. As individual members of that community we must stand up, join together, and push our city forward towards progress.

Until the next time…

The Greenways presentation was little changed from the debut of the draft plan at the last public meeting in January. What was different this time was that the plan was debuted to city council and the members asked questions about it. Each councilperson asked at least one question or made at least one comment. Councilman Donovan vocalized that he wanted to make sure every detail about this plan was debated and considered before implementation, to avoid a repeat of the miscommunications that led to the issues over the Cedar Beach Parkway renovations.

What, in my opinion, was the most important commentary came from Councilman Schweyer:
“ The city needs a vision.”

Councilman Schweyer is correct. As the council ended their questioning, they opened the floor to public comment. Randy Faye, a recently retired park employee called upon city council to remember that our park system exists the way it does because of a financial crisis that is not dissimilar from the one we find ourselves in today. A gentleman named Joe living near to Trexler Park voiced his support and echoed the sentiments of councilman Schweyer.

Of all the folks who made their opinions known last night (even I got in on the action), Dr. David McGuire brought the house down with an informed commentary and a familiar handout. Dr. McGuire stated that he supported the plan and the goals of the plan but he was concerned about the “location of paths” and the “composition of trails”. Dr. McGuire stated adamantly that there should be “no trails in floodplains” and that “paved trails should be an extreme alternative”. He then passed out the DCNR guidelines that I shared on Remember a few weeks ago. (See them here)

What Dr. Mcguire’s statements brought to the forefront was that not only is this a plan but that it is not an all or nothing issue. As the plan is implemented, if funding is secured, each phase will be brought before city council with a public input session before they are completed. The point of city council passing the resolution is to show that Allentown has an eye to the future.

I obviously share the sentiments of Dr. McGuire.

I also feel, and I told city council this last evening, that this plan will bring new business to the city and will begin to alter our image. I am 26 years old, and as a lifelong resident of Allentown I can say easily that most people my age have moved to Bethlehem or Philly and Allentown has not yet given them a reason to stay. Let’s give people a reason to stay.

I will attend every public meeting and information sessions about this plan as it moves forward (pending final passage on March 3rd) and I will share the dates on here. There are still issues and questions that I have with the plan as I am sure many of you do too. I am looking forward to engaging in a dialogue of progress and change.

Now, we have to get working on Trout Creek Parkway and Jordan Park. More to come…

Update: Had to change my wording thanks to a heads up from councilman Donovan.

The Greenways presentation was little changed from the debut of the draft plan at the last public meeting in January. What was different this time was that the plan was debuted to city council and the members asked questions about it. Each councilperson asked at least one question or made at least one comment. Councilman Donovan vocalized that he wanted to make sure every detail about this plan was debated and considered before implementation, to avoid a repeat of the miscommunications that led to the issues over the Cedar Beach Parkway renovations.

What, in my opinion, was the most important commentary came from Councilman Schweyer:
“ The city needs a vision.”

Councilman Schweyer is correct. As the council ended their questioning, they opened the floor to public comment. Randy Faye, a recently retired park employee called upon city council to remember that our park system exists the way it does because of a financial crisis that is not dissimilar from the one we find ourselves in today. A gentleman named Joe living near to Trexler Park voiced his support and echoed the sentiments of councilman Schweyer.

Of all the folks who made their opinions known last night (even I got in on the action), Dr. David McGuire brought the house down with an informed commentary and a familiar handout. Dr. McGuire stated that he supported the plan and the goals of the plan but he was concerned about the “location of paths” and the “composition of trails”. Dr. McGuire stated adamantly that there should be “no trails in floodplains” and that “paved trails should be an extreme alternative”. He then passed out the DCNR guidelines that I shared on Remember a few weeks ago. (See them here)

What Dr. Mcguire’s statements brought to the forefront was that not only is this a plan but that it is not an all or nothing issue. As the plan is implemented, if funding is secured, each phase will be brought before city council with a public input session before they are completed. The point of city council passing the resolution is to show that Allentown has an eye to the future.

I obviously share the sentiments of Dr. McGuire.

I also feel, and I told city council this last evening, that this plan will bring new business to the city and will begin to alter our image. I am 26 years old, and as a lifelong resident of Allentown I can say easily that most people my age have moved to Bethlehem or Philly and Allentown has not yet given them a reason to stay. Let’s give people a reason to stay.

I will attend every public meeting and information sessions about this plan as it moves forward (pending final passage on March 3rd) and I will share the dates on here. There are still issues and questions that I have with the plan as I am sure many of you do too. I am looking forward to engaging in a dialogue of progress and change.

Now, we have to get working on Trout Creek Parkway and Jordan Park. More to come…

Update: Had to change my wording thanks to a heads up from councilman Donovan.

Come out tonight as the final draft of the plan to create a new trail system across the city of Allentown and between our parks is presented.

I’ll be there.

As I have stated before, I believe this to be a good thing for the city of Allentown and is in fact something that was part of the original design of the parks envisioned by General Trexler.

Come to the meeting tonight to show your support.

There will be a public opinion session as well.

Hope to see you there.

Posts regarding trail developments:

A recap of January’s public meeting

Should park paths be paved?

Upcoming Public Meetings
- City Council Meeting February 17th 2009 – Trail Plan Presentation 6:00 PM in Council Chambers
- Keck Park Public Meeting February 25th 2009 – Mosser Family Village Center, Keck Park

Trail Initiative News
- Besides the upcoming City Council Meeting, Greenways has created a Facebook page to support the plan. You can find it here.

Canal Towpath
- Refilled without being cleaned out.

Cedar Beach Parkway
- Apparently the paths and stairs around the mirror ponds are complete.

- The asphalt paths will be “stamped and coated” to match the new walkways. You can read about that process here. I cannot provide information regarding the environmental impact of this particular procedure yet but with the current paving extending throughout Cedar Beach Parkway, it cannot be much worse. To combat the negative environmental affects of the new asphalt path, it is my hope that no mow zones and riparian buffers are extended to the edges of the path where it passes closest to Cedar Creek. I am anticipating the coming spring to see if such a plan is implemented. I hope to see it. I’ll be watching.

- The playground construction will begin around February 24th.

- The entirety of Phase One is scheduled to be completed by June 23th 2010.

Keck Park
- Environmental surveys (I would love to see those) have been completed and groundbreaking on park renovations is coming up in 2010.

Lehigh River East Side Trail
- A trail (mostly street) to connect Canal Park and Kimmet’s Lock has been drafted and sent out to bidding.

The Fish Hatchery
- Following the 2009 improvements, major projects are ahead for 2010 including: a new netting system, a new “environmental education” system and the creation of a new bridge to keep pedestrians off of Fish Hatchery Road.

My concern as we near the end of winter will once again be focused on Cedar Beach, Trout Creek Parkway, Jordan Park, and Canal Park. As plans progress, I will update as soon as I become aware of anything. Thanks for reading.

Also, a new local blog has sprung up that I think is definitely worth a read, Check them out:

Lehigh Valley Independent

Before I get to the recap of last nights trail meeting, let me share some great news with you.

1. The Irving Park staircases which were created by the W.P.A as part of a design deemed “the park of the future” will be repaired this spring. Parks and Recreation Director Greg Weitzel guaranteed it. The steps have been in a sorry state for awhile now and it is exciting to know they will finally be fixed in the near future.

2. I have also been told by Mr. Weitzel that the invasive species epidemics in our parks, especially in Trout Creek Parkway will be addressed and attacked this summer. The issues at Jordan Park will also begin to be focused on. This news excites me even more than the step repair. The greatest issue facing the future of our parks is the poor environmental conditions some of them face and to hear that this problem is going to be gone after is reliving and wonderful.

Now, about that meeting…

Let me say first that I was incredibly pleased with the amount of people that came out to this latest public meeting. It is a great thing to see a citizenry involved in the planning process of something that has the potential to affect every Allentonian. The level of involvement needs to remain high. Each phase of trail development will go under public scrutiny at future meetings. If ever there is an issue you may have with any of this, stay tuned. There will be more chances for you to be involved.

I asked the developers about paved or unpaved trails. The developers were very clear regarding the Lehigh Parkway. The paths that are not paved there will not be paved. As far as future development goes, each trail will be decided on a one by one basis according to public opinion on the matter. Again, stay involved! Considering this is still a draft, there was no definite yes or no on this issue and I will continue advocating for the exact kind of trail needed for each particular construction.

I remain excited about the possibilities that this trail plan offers for the city of Allentown. I realize that there is still time before any of this happens but it is time that will allow for continued public input. It is my belief that this plan will in fact have beneficial economic consequences for the city of Allentown. It will do so by changing the face of our city. It will make us “greener”. It will bring our community together in a way that General Harry Trexler himself envisioned and called for. The trails will be a genuine destination that will introduce people to the greatest city park system in the state of Pennsylvania. It will encourage hiking and trail related businesses to open in the idle, barren warehouse landscape next to what will be a new park in Allentown, the Auburn Trails Hub.

Some trails available for viewing will open places in Allentown that should be a part of our park system and currently are not. These include, the rails to trail I called for last week alongside the Little Lehigh and perhaps most excitingly, a trail over the idle trestle bridge which I have posted about a few times on here and which is a resource sorely needed to be used in our park system. This system will also allow Allentown to join the growing network of trails across Pennsylvania and ultimately attach us to the greatest trail in the United States, The Appalachian Trail.

This also sets up the chance to actively, on a citywide level, begin to repair the growing disconnect between our modern culture and nature. We can set an example here in Allentown for other municipalities to follow. The developers seemed very focused on improving our urban street scape and encouraging journeys into our most important green spaces. In addition to the educational opportunity, this also will allow a greater volunteer involvement in our parks. Like the AT, it is my hope to see various groups in the city work on maintaining and caring for new trails.

Knowing that the city is actively preserving and conserving our parks at the current moment while working to take them to the next level in the future is encouraging and exciting. We are not dealing with a city administration that is blind to our past or dumb to our future. Things are heading in the right direction in our parks and I will be continually posting about the progress as things move along. I will hold our officials accountable for the work promised, and for the work needed.

Remember, stay involved.

By the way, the area of Riparian Buffer in Cedar Beach Parkway that I help plant and subsequently discovered paved over – will also be replanted.

You will see it all here when it happens. Cheers to the trail plan.