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Remove
the Parkway–Restore a Natural Wonder
A
Deveaux Resident Speaks Out
I am writing in response to
several recent letters that have extolled the virtues of the concrete
road known as the Robert Moses Parkway. I wish to limit my comments to
the measure of the road between Findlay Drive and Devil's Hole. In my
opinion, the entire length of the Parkway between these two points
should be eliminated. I believe this would be in the best interest of
not only the city of Niagara Falls but for all those communities who
stand to benefit from tourists who stay in the region longer than a few
hours.
First, I'd like to respectfully
but emphatically disagree with some commuters from Lewiston who
selfishly say they would miss the majestic view as they drive to work
each day. I feel this highway degrades the natural beauty. If a view is
what one covets then looking across a sterile expanse of concrete, at
even a legal speed, gives only a fleeting glimpse of the magnificent
natural wonder known as the Niagara Gorge. Visitors, who are only here
on vacation, are missing the total Niagara Frontier experience if all
they do is drive by. Unlike
the Canadian side, here, even local residents are prevented from walking
from their homes to get to the gorge by fence rails, even though this
wonder is but a few yards away.
I'd like to address the point
about serious hikers and bikers not coming in droves with the present
partial lane closure. Most serious hikers and bikers travel across the
world to witness the natural, aesthetic beauty of a region not just to
perform the function of a good ride or hike. Our Falls and Gorge rank
with places such as the Grand Canyon and Letchworth Park. The Gorge,
with its seasonal blooms, winding paths, and secret hikes down below are
not ever experienced by those who drive by and stay but a few hours to
see the Falls and then depart. I often think that tourists who do stay
longer wonder what "knucklehead" would have suggested such a
destructive attack on an area's natural surroundings, especially in the
name of progress.
Unlike the others who have
written to keep the Parkway open, I am a long-time resident of Niagara
Falls who still lives in what is known as the Deveaux area. As stated in
her letter, Ms. Quarantillo wrote that many years ago, Deveaux residents
were forced to give up their homes and that the state spent millions of
dollars to accomplish this fiasco, all in the name of progress. What
progress? All I see is limited access to this natural wonder, which is
only yards from my home, unless of course you climb over fences to get
there, or go all the way down to Devil's Hole where the overpass is
located. Even older people, as well as young families, near the
beautiful Hyde Park residential area can walk right from their homes to
enjoy that park, we can't. Somewhere
I read that residences near parks or areas that have been restored to
their natural beauty increases the value of those properties. Young
families around my neighborhood would utilize the Gorge more, if they
could just walk over easily instead of risking life and limb by climbing
over rails and rushing across a highway. The Deveaux area must have been
even more quaint, quiet, and beautiful before that road was built.
Remember, it was built in the
name of progress. I repeat,
what progress? Anyone with even a remote knowledge of business knows
that circumventing a business district is a death knell which, in
addition to other economic problems, contributed in no small way to the
demise of Main Street. Destruction
of a nice neighborhood, taking business off of Main Street, and
inhibiting longer stays by not encouraging people to experience a
natural wonder known as the Niagara Gorge are not plans that promote
progress. I haven't seen any progress, have you?
At this point I'd like to remind
the business community and residents of Lewiston that millions of people
from all over the world do not come to see Lewiston, they come to see
the natural wonder of the Falls and Gorge area. Once here, they will
always find other wonderful places of interest to visit in the entire
Niagara region.
Niagara Falls is the jewel of
the area, and must be respected. It is the God given natural beauty of
our area that is the main reason why people come. All communities, both
large and small, should-be working together to enhance this natural
wonder, not selfishly adhere to mistakes that were made long ago. I
agree that the Niagara Frontier should be marketed as a total package.
We have nature and the glitz of a casino with surrounding towns and
villages. We have it all.
I am old enough to remember the
glory days of Niagara Falls in the 1950s. My Mom and Dad told me
wonderful stories of the war years. Falls and Main Street were a
hustle-bustle of activity and honeymooners from all over the world came
here, to Niagara Falls, because they heard or read about the romantic
beauty. Clubs like the Cataract House attracted musicians and vocalists,
restaurants were booming, shops were busy. What happened? I think we can
all agree, it wasn't progress!
Many of you who have written
sound so self centered when speaking of fast routes to Center Street in
Lewiston, or scenic views as you get to work in Niagara Falls. I love
Lewiston with its charming shops and I go there often, but I find no
hardship in going down Lewiston Road to get there. What about a slow
route down charming Lewiston Road to Main Street, Niagara Falls? With
the Casino and new Train Station, I can foresee new businesses being
less afraid to locate here. Instead of writing off Main Street, why not
be supportive of the resurgence in economic activity in Niagara Falls.
Remember the success of Niagara Falls means success for the entire
region.
As a mother, grandmother,
teacher, and a resident of Deveaux, of course I would insist that speed
limits be strictly enforced on Lewiston Road, as they are right now, so
children attending school at Maple or planning to go to the Gorge would
be as safe as those walking to Hyde Park or any other school in the
city. I feel this is an important issue and one that can be handled for
the benefit of all.
If that ugly highway disappeared
the barriers would come down, and there would be renewed local access to
the Gorge for more young families, as well as the elderly, Everyone
would have easier access in order to enjoy its vistas, and lovely paths
throughout all the seasons.
Niagara Falls has to be smart
this time and restore and preserve the things that make it unique in the
world, its natural beauty. Preservation of our waterfront should be a
priority, not just for now but for all future generations. Niagara Falls
residents should be aware that this is a turning point. We are being
given another chance. We have been blessed with God given natural beauty
and now we have the added draw of a casino. The move of the Train
Station is certainly a long awaited positive force for economic change
on Main Street and--if we support removal of that Parkway between
Findlay Drive and Devil's Hole, I think this too will have a positive
impact on our region.
I love Niagara Falls, and in
response to Ms. Quarantillo, I don't think I'd mind somewhere down the
road of life to look into the eyes of my grandchildren and say, "Do
you see this magnificent place, these beautiful falls, this ancient view
of a carved out river, this pathway where Native Americans and others
walked? Do you see the hustle bustle of tourists and residents shopping
downtown and on Main Street? This is our city, the jewel of the Niagara
Frontier, the Honeymoon Capital of the world; this is Niagara Falls, New
York, our hometown.
Beverly Barthel
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