Most bloggers crave comments, but not me lately. I have begun accepting less and less comments. I'm not trying to get a seat at any table, those invitations haven't been in the mail for many years. With this blog being in its eighteenth year, I don't think that there is a former, current or future official I haven't offended.
I don't fret about offending people, but I'm beginning to fret about anonymous commenters taking cheap shots. To make myself even less viable, sometimes now even a signature isn't enough for me to publish. This doesn't mean that I'm turning into Mr. Rogers. I will continue to speak out when appropriate, but resist piling it on. I will also apply the same standard to those that comment. Comments that raise an important point, regardless if offensive, will still appear.
Needless to say, everyone who sends in a comment thinks it is worthwhile, and consequently is offended when it is not published. Don't despair, you can always phone or email the official with your complaint.
While I have been a long time advocate for the traditional park system and the WPA structures within, I had not given much study to the Rose and Old Fashion Gardens in Cedar Park. They were in the very capable hands of Paul Pozzi, who retired last year after many years of devotion to the gardens. His replacement, Nick Hutte, is likewise doing an excellent job.
In 2010, I did question the rebuilding of the ponds. The contractor cut under the walls when dredging. Although the dirt was replaced, I questioned how compacted it was. I'm sorry to report that the pond walls are fairing very poorly, after only fifteen years. I question if the proper mortar was used?
The rose garden dates back to 1930-1931, predating the WPA work and structures in the park system. At the time the garden was built, the trolley still ran along the creek to Dorney Park and beyond, and Parkway Blvd. was still called Linden Street.
The garden was conceived by then Mayor Gross, and designed by Claude C. Yost. Dedication took place on Saturday June 20th, 1931. The garden was an enormous success, and attracted thousands of visitors. Although we now also have an Old Fashion Garden with a series of connecting ponds, in 1931, the garden had one lagoon.
shown above Rose Garden construction 1930
A statue in the Rose Garden has been removed to be refurbished. The sculpture honestly wasn't on my radar until Friday, when I noticed some large equipment for its removal. That equipment included an engine type lift, and a very large truck crane. On Saturday, I noticed that the bronze statue apparently lifted right off the base, perhaps making the heavy equipment unnecessary.
Allow me to expand my confession to admit that I didn't realize that the sculpture was also sort of a water feature, a bird bath. The Smithsonian notes that it was created by George Thomas Brewster in 1925. It was commissioned by Harold S. MacLaine in memory of his wife, and originally placed in the park by Trout Hall. The rose garden was began in 1930-31, so the sculpture had been moved from its original location.
Shown above is an early morning view of the sculpture by Lehigh Valley photographer Jason Fink.
photocredit:Jason Fink
Yesterday, around 5:00PM, I witnessed a car back up and park on the corner of 7th and Linden. Not near the corner, but on the corner. The driver locked the car and strolled away. Across the street an Allentown Police officer was directing traffic out of the parking garage, and ignored the illegal parking. Meanwhile, a three wheel motorcycle blaring a stereo loud enough to be heard for blocks was also ignored by the officer.
I now realize that my excursion, annoying as it was, could have been much worse. Thirty minutes later, there was a shooting at 8th & Linden. The decline seems fast and steep.