Bucolic Paradise or Stepford Park?

I recall in the 1970's reading, "The Stepford Wives" by Ira Levin which was since made into two movies, neither of which lived up to the book. 

The basic premise of the book was the seeking of "perfection" at the cost of flawed humanity. 

A young photographer and housewife is forced to question her sanity when moving into a "ideallic" Connecticut suburb where all the "happy housewives" act like robots under the control and manipulation of their husbands. All the homes, lawns and wives are seemingly "perfect" and yet something is horribly amiss. 

I was reminded of this book while watching the video below recently posted on the Central Park Facebook page. 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156975658244482&id=37965424481

The nearly ten-minute video highlights Harlem Meer and all the big "renovation" plans for it to transform into a "bucolic" center for all manner of "recreational activities" from ice skating to swimming to boating to fishing. Although there is already an ice skating rink at the Meer, plans include turning the lake into further ice skating vehicle during the winter. 

The smiles and wild exuberance of both, the interviewer and interviewee lead the video watcher to conclude that the newly renovated Harlem Meer will be nothing short of paradise itself.  All we need are some angels to float down from the skies. 

But for sure, birds won't be welcomed to float down from the skies -- especially waterbirds. 

Despite numerous pans of Harlem Meer during the video, one is hard pressed to find even one goose, duck or any bird on the entire lake. 

This represents drastic and dramatic change from only a few years ago when there would typically be up to 100 ducks and several dozen geese this time of year. 

What happened to them all in this "bucolic" and sanitized paradise? 

Yes, it is all so "perfect." And everyone is so "happy." 

And that is exactly why I was reminded of an old book when watching the video and why I suggested in comment that Central Park change its name to "Stepford Park." 

But of course it is me who is the crazy one, isn't it? 

Sent from Samsung tablet