BETHLEHEM, Pa. (WLVT) - A popular trend overseas has taken its toll in a Bethlehem park, and it’s called Love Locks.
“It doesn’t bother me at all. I mean it’s a nice gesture,” said Monocacy Park visitor, Raymond Miller. He and his wife walk in the park a few times a week. Miller said they noticed the locks, but they weren’t sure what it meant.
People have been putting padlocks on the bridge at the park off Illicks Mill Rd. as a way to seal their love for each other. Some people in the community are for it, and others don’t like it. According to the City of Bethlehem, it isn’t the best idea for the environment or the bridge.
“When people do those types of things, they are not looking at the big picture,” said Jodi Evans with the City of Bethlehem. “If everybody continues to do this, it could cause a structural damage situation.” She also said it can pose a problem for the wildlife in the stream underneath, because people often toss the keys into the water after attaching a lock to the bridge.
The city had to remove several locks from the bridge about one month ago, but even still, more locks are reappearing. “We are going to monitor it,” said Evans. “We’re not going to cut off every single lock each time, but we are going to monitor it and hope that people choose to show their love in other ways.”
Evans said if you see these locks appearing in other places, you can give the city a call at 610.865.7000 or you can download the Bethlehem Service Center app on your smartphone.
