Bala Avenue Playground
So here we are, on one of the hottest days of the summer, and the Bala Avenue Playground is closed. That's right. Closed, at least partially, with barricades that block the entrance, orange fencing everywhere, a big dumpster in the middle, and a large piece of construction equipment takes up even more room.
I asked the head of Parks and Recreation, Lindsay Taylor, about the timing of this construction project to add walkways to the playground. In an email, specifically, why this was scheduled for the first weeks after school was closed. The email response said that the Bala Avenue Playground is well used all year round, with heavy use by Day Care Centers and the French School during the school year.
I questioned their tax paying status and was told by a snide email that the playground was open to all people, not only Lower Merion taxpayers.
I'm still outraged that preference was not given to LM residents' use during the summertime.
Do you think it's time for a change in Parks and Recreation management?
Selma Davis
11:57 am on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
There's no doubt how I feel about closing the Bala Avenue Playground during the summer. I'm still against it. And now, it's even more personal. It appears that one of the construction vehicles, subcontracted by Lower Merion, rode over our sidewalk, partially knocked down one of our trees, and fled without leaving a note. The driver left a piece of the car right by the tree. Fortunately, the police, park, and tree people took appropriate action and the power saw got rid of the tree before it could fall across Bala Avenue and block the street, or, even worse, fall on a car or on people. Now there is no shade whatsoever.