NEVERMORE, NEVERMORE, cry the poet and his ravens as they watch the demolition of the Wollman Rink. There is a huge area now being fenced off around the Lakeside project. Maybe a 1/2 mile of 8 ft. high chain link fence being put up, making the whole area from the east side of the lake to the road completely inaccessible, looks like for years. This includes the parking lot and the BBQ area. It took over a year to do the little bit they did last year, and this is 5 times as much space. "Lakeside is coming" the sign reads - resonating like "The British are coming" of "The Martians are coming," and sounding very threatening. The picnic tables and BBQ stuff are piled up in one area. Wonder if they'll be thrown out or re-used? And I think I spotted the little area of 8 shrubs that hundreds of geese had to die to preserve.
On a cheerier note, we went along to check on the old swan nest from last year, and, surprise, surprise, Mama and Papa were there, doing the exact same thing! The nesting area doesn't look like much, maybe because the water level is high, maybe because the phragmites have not started their spring growth, which does give a sort of solid floor effect.
Another nice sign of spring: TWO soccer games plus the Ultimate Frisbee game going on this morning! The soccer players were less wrapped and showing a little leg, a nice harbinger of spring.
And speaking of the Parade grounds, 132 geese grazing on the one-and-a-half remaining grassy fields. (the other 2 1/2 are covered in plastic astroturf.) So, if they're not in the park, does this mean they will not be massacred? Or will they cover the rest of that green, natural, edible growing stuff with beautiful, slippery, nasty astroturf and call it an "improvement."
The Lullwater is still quite frozen, and there are still big patches of ice on the walkways. Some genius decided to throw the rescue ladder onto the ice, just to make sure that it's useless. I kind of hope that person does something clever, like walk out on the ice, and learns the consequences of stupidity. Like those Republicans who bitch about Government regulation, and then whine hysterically when some corporation spews toxic waste in their backyard and their children suffer.
We really have to hope those 132 geese at PP now aren't going to hang around. That will not be tolerated by the forces that be come summer.
ReplyDeleteI would be a little concerned too about the swans producing more young. Mute swans have been on Wildlife Services hit list for some time now.
From what you write, it seems the park is being remodeled as a place not too friendly to wildlife.
That's sad, especially for people and kids who live in pet forbidding buildings. Where can such people go to see or connect to animals, other than a zoo?
Yet, attracting nature lovers can be important even in terms of safety in a public park. The more people, the fewer the crimes.
As your blog correctly pointed out yesterday, PP used to be a haven for crimes until they started allowing off leash hours for dogs.
People walking dogs in a park at night are a deterrent to would-be muggers or even rapists.
Anyway, I hope the swans are left in peace should they breed again. And let's hope the geese take off for safer sanctuary -- if there really is anymore.
Thanks for a great blog.