I am writing this post from one of the most beautiful places in the Lehigh Valley. Allentown’s Rose Gardens. Sure, Allentown is known more for its homicide rate, its preponderance of pawn shops, and its double parking. But its park system is simply wonderful and the Rose Gardens are its crowning jewel, especially in June.
I am sitting on a bench, under a shady tree. There is a slight breeze coming my way. The breeze is carrying the light, sweet fragrance of a wide variety of roses. Wow! Looking straight ahead I can see most of the twenty or more rose beds. The colors are amazing. Yellow and white and various shades of red, from pink to scarlet. Again, wow! It is so quiet all I hear are birds chirping and the quiet trickle of a fountain. Shhhh.
Behind me is the Old Fashioned Garden. More colorful, but not as fragrant, these beds contain all kinds of different flowers. There are at least thirty different varieties of flowers in these long beds. Purples, yellows, blues, whites, and pinks. They are arranged perfectly with the taller flowers in the back forming a spectacular border.
There is a level below the gardens, with walking paths between and around four beautiful ponds, filled with lily pads, fish, and turtles. Next to the ponds runs the Little Cedar Creek. The bridges over the creek are a wonderful place to stop and watch the water run over the colorful rocks.
Throughout the gardens and ponds, there are tasteful sculptures of varying styles and subjects. They add an artful touch to this beautiful place. There are plenty of benches and a gazebo to sit on to enjoy this space.
Get out there and enjoy this place. The roses begin fading in July. The Old Fashioned Garden fades not long after that. Of course, the ponds, the stream, and the paths are there all year long. So even in winter it is a special place. But the best time to see this Allentown oasis is right now…June.
I hope one day soon I will see you there.
Note: I figured out how to add pictures to my posts!
A Semi-retired Kind of Life 