Ever think a list would contain the bridges of the Merritt Parkway and the Desert Castles of Ancient Khorezm in central Uzbekistan?
The World Monuments Fund, a New York City-based nonprofit, last week released its 2010 watch list of 93 sites around the globe that are at risk of deteriorating.
“Originally, the Merritt was designed with 68 bridges ranging in design from French Renaissance and neoclassic to art deco and rustic. The preservation of these many distinct bridges may be at risk due to necessary infrastructure work required to maintain the Merritt as a major thoroughfare. Balancing the functionality of the parkway while protecting the aesthetic qualities that make it unique pose challenges still to be addressed.”
We think the artwork of the bridges was noticed by one of the contributors to the watch list. Perhaps sitting in a traffic jam, the driver took note of the carvings and thought they should be added to the international list.
“The 2010 Watch makes it clear that cultural-heritage efforts in the 21st century must recognize the critical importance of sustainable stewardship,” fund President Bonnie Burnham said.
In light of the deteriorating business climate in the state, perhaps the fund would add the entire state to its watch list.
