The above wall separates the parking lot from the path at the Park Department office. The wall was built as part of the barn yard in the early 1900's. The trolley to Dorney Park ran in front of it. About six years ago, when the crack was about one half inch wide, I suggested that a dap of cement was in order.
The Park Department seems to prefer to let things go, until which time they need to be replaced, rather than repaired. However, if the project is for recreation, it's another story. Last summer the skate bowl at Jordan Park was doubled in size. This past spring, hundreds of trees were added out from the creek weed walls.
Talking of trees, West Park took a particularly hard beating Saturday night from the storm. The Department is going to have its hands full this week cleaning up from both the July 4th festivities, and the storm.
A large number of the downed trees, including those in the parks, appeared to have large dead areas. There are also other trees that remained standing but are obviously dead.
ReplyDeleteWill the city continue to neglect those dead trees left standing when it performs its cleanup? Will it take someone getting killed or badly injured for the city to be proactive about cutting dead trees down? If they do cut the dead trees down, will they then plant suitable replacements?
The trees at West Park were all unique and part of a detailed planting scheme. They need to be carefully replaced with similar trees as they age out.
More neglect is not an option.
EXACTLY! the last time I walked through West Park I noticed a dire need for extensive pruning of many dead limbs, often very large ones high up. This is a clear indication that perhaps the entire tree should be removed before it falls over on its own accord or a storm does it. Clearly the Park's Department knows nothing about basic park tree management. No one was hurt or worse this time, next time could bring on real tragedy.
DeleteBTW, while we’re talking about trees waiting to fall and hurt people, take a look up next time you’re driving around the city or parking on tree-lined streets. There are so many large trees with numerous dead branches throughout the city. They are like bombs waiting to drop.
ReplyDeleteI always wonder why if I can see them, why can’t the Mayor or any city employees seem to see them?
Why can’t property owners be notified to remove the dead wood before it falls on someone, or why can’t the city do it before tragedy strikes?
Is the mayor just that oblivious, or is it that he just doesn’t care enough to be proactive? The neglect runs deep, particularly when it comes to the basics, and there is a financial cost as well.
On the cement wall in the photo, how much would that dap of cement have cost six years ago when you first suggested it? How much would it cost to repair now? More likely, how much will it cost to replace the wall by the time the city finally addresses it?
Now multiply that by thousands of other neglected repairs throughout the city.
And this is right under the nose of the Parks Department! If they don’t see this, imagine how much else they’re missing!
Incompetence while claiming ignorance is a unisurable peril especially with unmaintained trees with many dead branches.
ReplyDeleteanon@12:11&1:04:While I take to the Park Department to task over infrastructure, they are proficient with older park trees. I was glad that they trimmed and saved some bank willows in Cedar Park after the last hurricane, although we lost one Saturday night. Storms damage trees, no matter how well maintained, that's nature. Curb trees between the curb and sidewalk are privately owned, but under city rules. Trees in yards are under the control of the property owner.
ReplyDeleteHow many streets in the city are either filled with potholes or literally crumbling from neglect? You don’t even have to go far from City Hall to find one.
ReplyDeleteThen you have neglect disguised as progress.
For example, the Covered Beidge has been closed for rehab for over a year, with little to no work happening to put it back together. For years people could at least walk across it, now they can’t even do that. So much for any headway there.
anon@12:26: I believe that the department does have an arborist, and know that west park has an active civic group and events, such as the art show. I'd worry more about being hurt from a person than a tree.
ReplyDelete