Schenley Park is a gift to our area from another age. The recent collapse of part of Serpentine Drive under the weight of a 36-ton tri-axle paving truck points up the neglect of our heritage.

Hiking trails from Bartlett Street playground to the silt-choked lake under Panther Hollow Bridge are a picture of neglect. Gutters are filled with silt, and plants have taken root. Sewers collect debris and limbs. Several areas evidence erosion. On the upper section, a trail slide several years ago is still protected by a sawhorse. The barricade seems part of the flora and fauna. When the rain comes, more erosion fills the stream below.

In July, people from as far away as Santa Barbara, Calif. were at the park for the Vintage Grand Prix charity event. What did visitors think?

Are park funds being diverted like storm water to other “pet” projects? The mayor needs to preserve this “green” jewel of an American urban park.

High-fives to the tri-axle driver trapped on the hillside for an hour, workers, the responders and recovery team. Nobody was injured.

Walt Peterson

Squirrel Hill

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