Jun 29, 2009
Boardwalk of Shame
Wildwood, NJ is a sight to be seen at least once in your life. Recently, visitors to the Wildwoods have found the ever so famous boardwalk in repair. A great portion of the boardwalk is currently being replaced. Approximately 42,000 aging boards from Schellenger to Cedar Avenue are under construction. This renovation has caused uproar. Why? Because builders are using Brazilian hardwood called ipe (ee-pay) on the 3.5 million stretch of walkway. So what about ipe? Well, ipe is harvested from rain forests which have many environmentalists up in arms. According to Rainforest Relief, which protested the Wildwood project, about 80% of ipe wood sold in the US is harvested illegally from the rain forests.
Wildwoods Executive Director of Economic Development Lou Ferrara insists ipe comes from all over the world, not just rain forests. Although Wildwood pledged to not use rain forest wood on its boardwalk, they found it to be the best wood for the boardwalk that can support the weight of emergency vehicles and apparently save replacement costs in the future.
The Wildwood project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and New Jersey’s Urban Enterprise Zone Authority. (New Jersey Monthly Magazine, pg. 69, 09)
Do you agree with personnel to use ipe wood, or do you think another type of wood might have been more suitable? Does this change your opinion of Wildwood?
Shame on Wild Wood. They are willing to take taxpayers dollars to “Save their Beaches”, but they are not willingly to take measures to “Save the Rain Forest!” I think that is terrible. I haven’t been to Wild Wood in quite some time. The boardwalk is a beautiful landmark and should be protected and preserved, but not at the expensive of ruining something else. I seriously thing the use of ipe should be reconsidered.
Although I agree with Candy’s comment, I don’t believe that it will detur all visitors from going there.
What are the alternatives (to rain forest ipe wood) which can “support the weight of emergency vehicles and apparently save replacement costs in the future”?