The Danger of Dorney – Build a Pedestrian Bridge Over Hamilton Boulevard

Dorney Park is a major attraction here in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  However, it is also a danger to the hundreds of pedestrians who try to run across it during the dark hours after the park closes – and also during broad daylight.  As Pennsylvania roads attest, deer and other animals adorn our highways as roadkill.  How long until Hamilton Boulevard becomes a slaughterhouse for park visitors?

Many Dorney visitors are attracted to businesses on the south side of Hamilton Boulevard.  These include the ever popular summer destination Ice Cream World, Perkin’s Restaurant and the various hotels that provide accommodation to visitors from out of town.  As a result, hundreds of visitors cross Hamilton Boulevard – with no crosswalks to guide their travels – and are nearly hit each year.  This is a clear danger to visitors, and an unnecessary one at that.

What is it going to take to bring South Whitehall Township (jurisdiction of Dorney Park) and Cedar Fair (owner of Dorney Park) together to build a proper pedestrian bridge over the Boulevard?  I propose that Dorney Park and South Whitehall Township collaborate on a bridge, sooner rather than later.  One life is not worth the money spent to protect our visitors and motorists.  Let’s get together and build that bridge – it is a necessary expense.