Don't delay environmental restoration of Allentown parks

Don't delay environmental restoration of Allentown parks Anyone who has lived or spent time in the city of Allentown will likely identify our park system as one of our greatest assets. Citizens must learn about the serious issues facing our parks. The Allentown Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Wildlands Conservancy has begun a progressive initiative of ecological restoration to manage and control the invasive blight. Sediment decreases the water quality for fish and other aquatic life. Sadly, our parks are in a state of crisis that is the most dire and serious threat that has ever faced them. New vegetative buffers have been implemented on stream banks. Without native species, the food chain from bacteria to birds is disrupted, and, eventually, native plants and animals are forced out. What's more to the serious issue of stream-bank erosion, our parks are afflicted by the swiftly expanding presence of invasive plant species. Years of suburban expansion have dramatically increased the amount of paved surfaces throughout the local areas of Allentown. The continuance and expansion of these efforts has to become and remain the most important priority of park maintenance for the future. In an era of diminishing funds, limited workforce and worsening ecological conditions, we have to fix our parks before it is too late. Don't delay environmental restoration of Allentown parks Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 25/04/2012