The old boardwalk was built with recycled railroad ties, just inches above the level of the ground. Railroad ties were not designed to survive well in a wetland environment. Over the years, wood started to rot, boards split or broke away altogether, roots raised the walkway in some areas, the walkway slumped in others. When the wetland filled with water, the walkway floated on the surface, causing the walkway to rise and fall with every step. Trees crushed the walkway. In time, we knew that the boardwalk would have to be replaced.
Those of us who love the boardwalk with all our hearts and souls had very mixed feelings about this. On one hand, we wanted to improved public access to the wetland, so that others could learn to love her as we did. On the other hand, we knew that improving foot traffic through the wetland could damage the very thing we loved. We couldn't teach people about it, share it's wonders, encourage them to support it, without also giving them access to it. Yet, making it easier to access the wetland would also make it easier to trash the wetland. And, so the boardwalk was replaced, a parking lot was built, beautiful signage was produced and installed, a wheelchair accessible sani-can was installed, the old parking lot was turned into a picnic-friendly meadow. As a result, this is what is happening to our treasured wetland:
I don't think I have to say anything else. Pictures speak a thousand words. This breaks my heart.
Teri Lenfest
Seeing this just turns my stomach!
Posted by: Adele | April 06, 2010 at 05:45 PM