Pages

Saturday 23 February 2013

Picture This 188 - Your Neighborhood

I live in a 44-square mile township which is comprised of seven small sections. Three of these sections are on the bayshore, including where I live. The township is semi-rural, with a busy highway running through the center. There are a lot of farms here, both produce and horse farms. There's a ton of parks, all of which I've visited and where I've taken a lot of photos. We've taken a few huge hits in the last few years. I think most of you know about Hurricane Sandy and the devastation it caused along the Jersey shore. This area was badly hit, and even now, 4 months later, there are people still not back in their homes, abandoned and destroyed houses still standing. As bad as that was, with the loss of personal property, what I think was worse was the loss of life from this relatively small township as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center. Thirty-nine people from this town died that day, and my first photo shows the Middletown Memorial Garden dedicated to each of them. Each person that died has a headstone engraved with their name, date of birth, and a photo etched into it and line a beautiful walkway through the gardens.
IMG_0460

One of the many beautiful parks here is Thompson Park. Its probably one of the biggest parks in the township, and offers a ton of activities, both in the summer and winter. This photo shows the walkway over the lake that's a favorite of the fishermen/women. The good thing about the using the lake is that no gasoline engines are allowed. Its either paddle your own boat or have an electric motor

IMG_1652

And for the section where I live, on the Bayshore, a photo I'm sure a lot of you have seen before of the marina down the street from my house. This marina was destroyed during the hurricane, the beach is a mess, houses right at the marina were washed away, but they've been working on getting it all back. It'll take a long time:

IMG_0007

13 comments:

  1. oh how very very interesting and sad but a lovely park to sit end contemplate
    very very nice my friend and thank you

    ReplyDelete
  2. You live in a very pretty place. Although we are all aware of 9/11 in Europe, it really brings it home when you see such memorial parks. Yes, your area had to take a lot with hurricaines and storms.The photos are very good.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Peaceful and beautiful memorial garden.

    Great shots of the bridge and the marina.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How utterly enchanting ... love the first two ... makes one want to wander through and see whats at the other side .... gorgeous shots!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful shots Joanne you live in a very beautiful part of the world;)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Honey!! Three great shots for Heidi's theme!! That's a beautiful memorial park the township have created to remember the local people who died on that terrible day. The wooden walkway across the lake at Thompson Park is wonderful. I hope I get a chance to walk across it one of these times :-)) Let's hope the marina will be restored to it's former glory in the not-too-distant future.

    What happened to the shot of Bonnie in the snow?

    ReplyDelete
  7. So nice, the neighborhood! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. beautiful shots all, Joanne from your part of the world. Had no idea you lost so many people from your town on 9/11, then suppose a lot of your townsfolk might have worked in Trade Center, it being so close to commute from New Jersey. Such a lovely nostalgic shot. Brought a lump to my throat and tears to these ole eyes. Hugs you tight. Love love love that boardwalk.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm moved by your first shot, of the 9/11 memorial park. A beautiful place, nicely taken. I love the curving shadows of your middle picture and hope the marina does get restored in time. That was a horrible storm.

    ReplyDelete
  10. That first photo is very touching, Joanne.

    Thompson Park is lovely. Looks like a good place for bird shots.

    So glad to see the rebuilding in the last photo! I hope those people will soon be back in their homes or at least have adequate recompensation for their properties if they aren't allowed to rebuild.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Beautiful photos Joanne and sad too. I would love to take a walk through the parks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful photos, Joanne, yet reading your words there is sadness behind them... Anyway, you live in a lovely place...

    ReplyDelete