When I skimmed a notice from Allentown Communications Director Genesis Ortega on Sunday about the "Lights in the Parkway" being closed, I assumed it was due to the weekend's snowstorm. It's sad to see that the reason is because the displays have been vandalized. Here's the release:
December 14, 2025 – Lights in the Parkway is closed tonight following a significant act of vandalism that caused extensive damage to holiday light displays, including restrooms at Lehigh Parkway. The vandalism has resulted in port-a-potties being pushed into the river, bent light poles and posts, and crushed light bulbs.
We are actively assessing the full extent of the damage and determining the broader impact on the remainder of the Lights in the Parkway season. Preliminary assessments indicate that restoring the damaged displays will be difficult and costly during the current season.
As a result, we have not yet made a determination on whether Move It Monday, scheduled for tomorrow, will proceed. An update will be provided as soon as more information becomes available.
Residents and visitors who purchased tickets for tonight’s Lights in the Parkway event should contact the Parks Office for assistance with rebooking or refunds at (610) 437-7757 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) or by email at events@allentownpa.gov.
The City has deployed its full complement of Parks crews, who are simultaneously addressing last night’s snowstorm, assisting Public Works crews, and responding to the vandalism while securing and evaluating the site.
City officials condemn all acts of vandalism, and stress that last night’s incident impacts not only a beloved holiday tradition, but also the staff, volunteers, and families who look forward to this event each year.
While we continue to evaluate repair options, please know that every effort will be made to keep the Lights in the Parkway tradition going with the resources currently available.
This incident is being investigated by the Allentown Police Department. Anyone with information can contact the department at (610) 437-7753. Tipsters are also encouraged to provide information related to the incident through the TIP411 application on www.allentownpa.gov/police.
The City of Allentown will release additional information once the damage assessment is complete and next steps are determined.
I question whether this could have occurred but for Saturday night's storm. Emergency responders and public works were no doubt prioritized city streets and local accidents and medical emergencies over the parkway, But given the time that it must have taken to commit these numerous acts of malicious mischief, I suspect that the numerous cameras deployed in Allentown might help solve this insult to family fun. I believe that unless this kind of behavior is addressed and the perpetrators are nabbed, it becomes an invitation for similar acts throughout the city.
I have an alibi.
14 comments:
Well, at least they didn't shoot the place up and murder people.
Pawlowski did the same thing in council chambers with the leak incident he caused to abscond with the rental inspection monies.
But the mayor and police chief said crime was down
Horrible. I hope they catch them.
Ortega has zero institutional knowledge of Allentown’s magnificent Little Lehigh Parkway. She doesn’t know anything about the history of the park and has spent virtually no time there since she came to Allentown. She’s a mouthpiece, nothing more. This third rate seasonal display requires a huge time commitment from Parks Department staff that could be better spent on other tasks. Yes, the vandalism is appalling but the park has never had adequate police presence in spite of the location of the Academy.
9:22, You have no idea what you are talking about. Zero. I have known her for some time. Her family is from Bethlehem and she is well aware of Allentown bc she has been involved in jobs that make such "institutional knowledge" advantageous. I may be mistaken but believe she is a graduate of ACCHS. I know she is a Moravian grad. And after four years of Allentown City government, she has plenty of institutional knowledge. She may not be up there with people who have spent decades in office, but she's just fin. Give your bitterness a rest.
The APD does not pay any attention to the parks. Never has. Lights in the Parkway has been an ongoing abuse to the park since Mayor Heydt cut down trees, tore up seasonal springs and generally damaged this part of the park.
I’ve seen magnificent Holiday Lights displays in Europe. Allentown’s display doesn’t hold a candle to top rate installations. The vandalism is upsetting but it fits in with the general decline in civility in the once All American City.
No amount of official handwriting coming out of City Hall changes the unfortunate reality.
The current state of affairs in Allentown’s parks is nothing short of disgraceful.
The DA should consider prosecuting this as a hate crime. It's an attack on Christmas.
Jeepers.
Allentown is going down the drain.
The current administration is like an All Star Team.
Having lived in the park neighborhood I’m not a big fan of lights in the parkway, however, I’ve grown to tolerate the traffic and I see that it is a family holiday treat that kids love. I hope whoever participated in this is caught and punished.
There are small residential streets in Bethlehem that have more exciting displays. Dozens of workers spend many hundreds of hours on this chintzy event.
It’s a misuse of park land and city resources.
Need to catch & prosecute the vandals hard, w/cameras I'm thinking a late-night group roaming in the area should be identifiable. GOP Mayor Bill Heydt installed this, and I recall conservative Morning Call columnist Paul Carpenter was always denouncing it.
Post a Comment