PRESERVING THE NATURAL BEAUTY AND WILDNESS OF THE WISSAHICKON VALLEY FOR EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS.

spring 2012 VOLUME 21 • NUMBER 1

The mission of the Friends of the Wissahickon is to preserve sthe natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley FRIENDS o f the WISSAHICKON and stimulate public interest therein.

About the Park About Us Conservation & Restoration Volunteering News & Events Membership & Support Frequent Questions The

News Item  Aysgi Reayed PARK MAPS Bayegfa. >>

News Item  SUSTAINABLE Aysgi Reayed TRAILS Tree House Bayegfa. >> INITIATIVE

News Item  Aysgi Reayed Bayegfa. >>

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Fo l l o w U s o n FAC EB OOK T WI TTE R Sh ar e Th i s R SS H 54 L44 Contact Us Recei ve E-newsletter Secur e Log I n Si temap 72 Current Forecast > FOW Launches see page 8 New Website p. 3

Complete the Park User Survey p. 4

Town Meeting: Creek in Crisis? p. 7

photo by Nancy Ballard (1970-71) courtesy of Wissahickon Environmental Center From the Director by Maura McCarthy

ast year, the Wissahickon Environmental Center (WEC) at the Andorra Natural Area celebrated its 30th anniversary. The Friends 8708 Germantown Avenue of the Wissahickon has long partnered with and supported Philadelphia, PA 19118-2717 L Phone: (215) 247-0417 • E-mail: [email protected] the “Tree House “ and its staff in their efforts to offer accessible Website: www.fow.org environmental programming to Philadelphia school children and ______families. And so it was fitting that before the year was out, we were The mission of the Friends of the Wissahickon able to secure a $150,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of is to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Conservation and Natural Resources for capital improvements to the Wissahickon Valley and stimulate Photo by Laurie Beck Peterson Andorra Natural Area. This grant will enable FOW to make this area of public interest therein. the Wissahickon a more suitable educational facility for visitors to the ______WEC, with restored trails, a compost toilet, and improved signage. You can read more about this project, the Tree House, and the Andorra Natural Area on page eight. Officers The whole of the Wissahickon is an environmental education opportunity and FOW has a long history John Rollins, President of engaging the public in the natural life of the park. We have offered a consistent stream of lectures and Robert Vance, Vice President other outreach activities for many years, but it is because of the enthusiasm and dedication of our Trail Will Whetzel, Vice President Ambassadors that we have been able to expand our programming. In 2011 alone, Trail Ambassadors led Eugene Caffrey, Treasurer Richard Berman, Secretary a total of 37 free hikes in the Wissahickon. In January, ______talented Trail Ambassadors Bruce Wagner and Sarah West began offering free lectures at The Cedars House past PresidentS (see p. 12). Cindy Affleck Charles Dilks The whole of the Robert A. Lukens David Pope Expansion like this has been the norm at FOW over Edward C. Stainton Robert Vance the last few years, as we have grown into a strong and Wissahickon is an ______capable organization. With growth, comes change. FOW Board Members has recently added a staff member in the new position of Cindy Affleck David Hilton Project Manager and sadly said goodbye to two valuable environmental education Chris Bentley Bettina Hoerlin staff members. Kevin Groves, Volunteer Coordinator since Richard Berman Louise Johnston 2007, single-handedly built our volunteer program into Melen Boothby Courtney Kapp the enterprising and effective program it is today. Heather opportunity and FOW has Richard P. Brown, Jr. John Kelly Davis-Jones, Development Assistant for five years, helped Eugene Caffrey Charles Lee, Jr. shape FOW’s membership outreach focus. We will miss Stephanie Craighead Jerome Maddox them and everything they brought to their roles at FOW, a long history of engaging David Dannenberg John Meigs but wish them all the best in their new endeavors. It is a Daphne Lynch Fifield Liz Pearson Sam Finney David Pope testament to their talents that it will take three new staff the public in the natural life Shirley Gracie John Rollins members to replace them: Sarah Marley, Dan Mercer, and Heidi Grunwald Robert Vance Henry Stroud. Jeff Harbison Liz Werthan Sarah Marley has served as an FOW Conservation of the park. Robert Harries Will Whetzel Cindy Heckscher Susie Wilmerding Intern for two years and is now working as our new ______Outreach Coordinator, overseeing the Trail Ambassador STAFF program, lecture series, membership events, and other Maura McCarthy, Executive Director outreach efforts. Dan Mercer, a long-standing trail volunteer and Ruffian Tittmann, Development Director Audrey Simpson, Business Manager crew leader, has taken the position of Volunteer Coordinator and Denise Larrabee, Editor/Publicist will bring a wealth of Wissahickon knowledge to this role. Henry Dan Mercer, Volunteer Coordinator Stroud is FOW’s new Project Manager (see p. 11) and he will be Henry Stroud, Project Manager supervising FOW projects throughout the Wissahickon. Zane Magnuson, Development Assistant ______Sarah Marley, Outreach Coordinator For the first time in our history, FOW will have a field team Newsletter dedicated to work in the park. This is an exciting opportunity Denise Larrabee, Editor for the organization and one that deepens our commitment to Dena Sher, Associate Editor • Sarah West, Listings Editor preserving the Wissahickon for future generations. Moon Design, Layout Published by INTERPRINT of Bristol, PA. Printed on recycled paper.

United Way Donations The Friends of the Wissahickon can receive We appreciate Valley membership/donations through the United Way. Be a Friend. Our United Way number is 9882. If this is the most Green Bank reinvesting in Join at www.fow.org convenient way for you to give, please do so. Visit our our community and in the website (www.fow.org) to learn about the benefits of Wissahickon Valley! membership in the Friends of the Wissahickon. 2 Friends of the Wissahickon • Spring 2012 NEWSBRIEFS

FOW Met the Challenge! The Friends of the Wissahickon Board of Directors and staff are thrilled to announce that FOW has met the third and final $50,000 challenge grant to raise funds for the Sustainable Trails Initiative (STI). Since the launch of the $10 million fundraising campaign for STI in May 2007, FOW has received almost $3 million in commitments. This challenge sought to build the capacity of FOW by increasing FOW Launches the number of major donors while supporting FOW’s priority project, the Sustainable Trails Initiative. New Website —Ruffian Tittmann, Development Director he Friends of the Wissahickon has launched a new FOW Volunteers Chuck Kirkland and Nick website at their current URL of www.fow.org. This Uniatowski work on a trail near Kitchen’s Tnew website is easier to navigate, provides more Lane on National Trails Day in 2011. information about the Wissahickon, and allows visitors to report problems in the park more easily and share pages Monastery Stables Offers New via social networks. “The new website is a dynamic and useful addition to Equestrian Programs FOW’s work,” says Executive Director Maura McCarthy. Hoof Prints at Monastery Stables is offering “One of the features we are most excited about is the line several new equestrian programs. The Pony Power of communication it opens to the public to report park Club is for horse-loving kids, ages 6 to 14. This problems and help us resolve them in partnership with unique program offers children the full equestrian Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in a faster more organized experience with hands on learning, loads of way.” fun, and horseback riding. Students learn safety, The new website was made possible with grants horsemanship, horse behavior and psychology, from the William Penn Foundation and the 25th Century horse health and nutrition, stable management, Foundation, and was designed using traffic information and more. The club meets every Saturday from from the old website as a guide. “We knew what the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; call for registration. Hoof Prints public was looking for when they visited our website,” also offers horsemanship classes and riding lessons. says McCarthy. “The new website design helps deliver The horsemanship classes for adults are for the that information more directly and will be an asset for our person who always wanted to own a horse, ride a membership, the public, and our volunteers.” horse, or just have the chance to be in its magical presence. Students will learn skills that will enable About the William Penn Foundation Misty Godfrey (standing) with Melissa them to enter into a partnership with horses that The William Penn Foundation, founded in 1945 by Cresswell on Geronimo. Photo will make being around them an absolute joy. Otto and Phoebe Haas, is dedicated to improving the courtesy of Monastery Stables Riding lessons will allow participants to experience quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia region through the joy of riding while learning good riding and efforts that foster rich cultural expression, strengthen horsemanship skills. Whether you are a beginner, recreational, or experienced rider who children’s futures, and deepen connections to nature and wants to sharpen your skills, Monastery Stables will help you meet your goals and have a community. In partnership with others, the Foundation memorable and fun riding experience. For more information call (267) 997-9220 or visit works to advance a vital, just, and caring community. www.kitchenslanestables.org.—Misty Godfrey, Monastery Stables To learn more about the Foundation, visit www. williampennfoundation.org. Special Features on FOW’s New Website • An RSS feed (Rich Site Summary, a format for delivering FOW Annual Members regularly changing web content) that will alert Meeting Set for June 5 someone when FOW posts news on the website Friends of the Wissahickon • An online form visitors can complete to report members are invited to gather to problems in the park, with the option to upload review the past year and learn about photos, such as felled trees and collapsed trails, and upcoming FOW projects on Tuesday, enter GPS coordinates June 5, 2012, from 6 to 8 pm at Valley • Current weather information on every page Green Inn. A special guest speaker will be announced; visit FOW’s website for • The ability to share pages via social networks updates. FOW members who attend • Quick links to the most-visited pages on the website, the Annual Meeting will receive a photo by Kirsten McBride such as hiking and park maps printed copy of the Annual Report for 2011 in addition • More photos and a wider layout to accommodate new to the digital version (PDF) that all members will receive computer monitors in May. RSVP online at www.fow.org or by calling 215-247-0417 ext. 109. • Improved navigation with bread crumbs and sub-menus

Spring 2012 • Friends of the Wissahickon 3 Trail Ambassador Hikes Unless otherwise specified, Trail Ambassador Hikes use rocky, rugged trails that may be wet and slippery. Please wear sturdy shoes or boots with socks. Long pants are recommended for protection against occasional poison ivy and possible ticks. Bring water and a snack if desired. Children over 7 are welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. Walks are cancelled in heavy rain or icy conditions. Registration is not required, but is recommended so Volunteers and that you can be informed of weather or other emergency cancellations. Please send email to Sarah Marley at [email protected]. Respondents Needed Waters of the Wissahickon with Diane Garvey Sunday, March 18 1- 3 pm for Park User Survey Meet at Northwest Equestrian Facility on Northwestern Ave. Difficulty: moderate. Length: 2+ miles. Walk downstream on the orange trail to Covered Bridge, back on Wissahickon reliminary results from the Friends of the Wissahickon Drive. Waterproof shoes recommended. Will measure how much and how fast the water Park User Survey indicate that 43.2% believe unleashed flows and look at turbulent and laminar flow of creek. Test tube experiments will be conducted Pdogs are not a problem and only 27.9% report that litter to measure stream water quality. Learn about sources of pollution in the Wissahickon and its is a “moderate” to “severe” problem in the Wissahickon. Results prevention. Binoculars recommended for birding. Ideal for families and homeschoolers 6 years such as these are & older accompanied by a responsible adult. More information: [email protected]. different than what Geology Hike with Sarah West FOW expected Park users who complete the Saturday, March 24 3- 4:45 pm based on anecdotal survey in the park or online will reports from the Meet at Valley Green Inn. Length: 1.5 miles along a rough, steep trail on the east side public in recent be entered into a drawing in of the creek upstream from Valley Green. Can be slippery or muddy in places. Will discuss years. According to mid-2012 for a free IPAD and the likely formation of Wissahickon rocks as the result of plate tectonics and identify several Executive Director different types. Suitable for children over 10 accompanied by a responsible adult. Bring water one of ten free year-long FOW and sturdy footwear. More information: [email protected]. Maura McCarthy, “FOW needs more memberships (includes choice of Lower Wissahickon with Scott Quitel volunteers to conduct t-shirt or hat). Visit www.fow.org Saturday, April 7, 2012: 9 to 11:30 am the survey and to take the survey. Meet at the RittenhouseTown parking lot. Mildly strenuous hike. Will explore interesting more park users to sections of the less travelled lower Park, visit Lover’s Leap and Hermit’s Cave, take in breath- complete it in order taking views and see ancient boulders and gnarly, old chestnut oaks. Will also traverse one of to get an accurate the more secluded side trails in the Park. More information: squitel@comcast.net. sense of the park-user experience in the Wissahickon.” Meanderings in the Wissahickon with Shelly Brick FOW is asking all park users to take a few minutes to Enjoy our park and share talk stories as we explore the Wissahickon trails. Pace will be set complete the survey when they encounter an FOW volunteer by the group. Hikes last 1.5-2 hours. Children younger than 7 are welcome if they are hikers. posted at exit points in the Wissahickon. My Park Counts is Bring water. also available online at FOW’s website and takes 3-4 minutes to Saturday, March 17 at 2 pm. Meet at Kitchen’s Lane entrance parking lot complete. Sunday, April 8 at 2 pm. Meet at Chestnut Hill Ave. entrance to the park Volunteers Saturday, April 28, 1 pm. Meet at Livezey Lane, Allens Lane and Wayne Ave. intersection work in pairs Sunday, May 20, 2 pm. Meet at Rex Ave. entrance to the park. and are needed Saturday, June 16, 1 pm. Meet at Kitchen’s Lane entrance parking area. to perform observational An Overview of the Wissahickon with Peter Lapham counts at Sunday, April 29 2 – 4 pm entrances to the Meet at the Warming Shed at Valley Green. Length: 4 miles. Learn about the natural and park to ensure man-made history of the Wissahickon while walking to Kitchen’s Lane Bridge on Forbidden the accuracy of Drive and back along the east-bank, orange trail over the Fingerspan Bridge and through Rhoda Byler of Mt. Airy completes the Park User Survey with FOW Volunteer Sarah the mechanical Devil’s Pool to Valley Green. Pace is casual, but there is some climbing over low rocks on the Allen at the bottom of the Hundred Steps in counters also being return trail. Wissahickon Valley Park. used and collect Lower Forbidden Drive with Sarah West basic demographic Saturday, May 19 3 - 4:45 pm information on park users who pass their observation point. FOW Meet at the small parking lot where Forbidden Drive meets Lincoln Drive, a short distance volunteers also administer the short surveys to collect information downstream from RittenhouseTown. This hike is about one mile along lower Forbidden Drive on park user experience at key exit points in the park. For more on level ground as far as the Walnut Lane Bridge. Will look at two historical sites connected to information on the survey or to volunteer, contact Sarah the Revolutionary War era including the Henry Rittenhouse Mill foundation. See the Blue Stone Marley, FOW Outreach Coordinator, at [email protected]. Bridge, the foundation of the Lotus Inn, and discuss the history of the Wissahickon Turnpike, About the Survey Forbidden Drive, and the Walnut Lane Bridge. Children with a responsible adult are welcome. Developed and implemented in conjunction with Atlantic More information: [email protected]. Social Research Corporation (ASRC), this park user survey will Wildflower Walk with Don Simon determine seasonal and annual park user counts, park-related Saturday, April 28 10 am – noon activities among different groups, and attitudes and perceptions Meet at Valley Green Inn. Difficulty: easy to moderate, depending on where the among local and non-local visitors to the park. The data collected wildflowers are located. Will identify spring wildflowers which should be in bloom in the will help FOW and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation take more Wissahickon, such as trout lilies, may apple, spring beauty, and Solomon’s seal. Bring a effective action in designing capital investment, programming, and wildflower field guide if you have one. outreach strategies, as well as minimizing user conflict.

4 Friends of the Wissahickon • Spring 2012 Take Back the Wissahickon FOW seeks information on Wissahickon attacker

n the fall of 2011, the Friends of the Wissahickon assumed control photo courtesy Chestnut Hill Historical Society of the Take Back the Wissahickon Fund, created by the Martin Ifamily as a reward fund for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the attacker in the April 2011 attempted rape in Ask a Trail Ambassador Wissahickon Valley Park. FOW is managing the fund at the request of the Martin family. If it is not dispersed as a reward by the fall of 2012, the fund will revert to FOW’s unrestricted accounts and the money will be used to enhance What is safety in the park with improvements to such measures as way-finding, Fingerspan? enforcement, response access, lighting, and/or police presence. To report information about the attacker, contact the Citizen’s Crime Commission Tipline at 215-546-TIPS or 215-546-8477. To donate to ou’re hiking along the Orange Trail. You pass Livezey Dam. the Take Back the Wissahickon Fund, visit www.fow.org or make a check You trek for a while near creek level. Soon you come to a out to the Friends of the Wissahickon with “Take Back the Wissahickon” Ysteep flight of stone steps. You ascend. While climbing, you written in the memo line. Send to: Friends of the Wissahickon, 8708 may be aware that Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118. the acme of this trail segment is by Scott Quitel, FOW Trail Ambassador marked by a gap Park Safety Guidelines in the earthen • Park users should exercise with a partner whenever possible; portion of the pathway. As you near the gap, you are comforted if exercising alone, try to avoid using the park during off- by the sight of an enclosed structure, shaped curiously in the peak times. form of a slightly bent index finger, pointing the way and guiding • Be alert! Go headphone free! It’s not only unsafe from the you safely over the precipitous chasm. perspective of crime prevention, but you won’t hear bicyclists You enter the behind you or other potential problems. structure. It’s secure as • Vary your routine. If you always start your run at Valley it can be. Yet, you can Green at 6 a.m., try going to Bell’s Mill Road or Kitchen’s see right through it—in A Masterpiece of Lane once or twice a week. any direction. Gazing outward, you take in the • Trust your instincts. There’s a sense of isolation from the city majestic Wissahickon, Functional Art in the park that has a lot of appeal. If you sense trouble in a framed by the opposing person or a place, leave. cliffs of its ancient gorge. • When you park your car, lock your doors, carry your keys Looking down, you see with you, and do not leave wallets, cell phones, or other sheer verticality, directly beneath your own feet. You are presently valuables in plain sight in your car. The major area of crime within the Fingerspan. in the Wissahickon is in the parking lots. The Fingerspan is a highly functional piece of art. Comprised of • Please report suspicious activity by calling 911. perforated, weathered steel, cloaked protectively by a thin layer of • Visit www.fow.org frequently. FOW posts crime alerts as iron oxide (rust), the structure appears timeless. Yet it was installed necessary. just 25 years ago, assembled in prefabricated sections, initially held aloft by helicopter. It extends 59 feet and weighs nine tons. The Important Numbers to Know creator of this masterpiece is Jody Pinto. Her artistic goal is to link • If your car is broken into, call 911. Report the location of the human body with nature. Each time a walker passes through your car (the number of the parking lot will help). Stay until her work, the link is established. According to Pinto, the hiker’s the police arrive. experience is an act of “passing through the finger so that the public • The Fairmount Park Rangers can be reached at 215-685- becomes the muscle or the bone marrow.” 2172. You exit the structure—back on terra firma; another link • FOW Trail Ambassadors are often in the park. Their primary established. You’ve just walked through one of Philadelphia’s finest role is to provide information to park visitors about the pieces of sculpture. You continue your journey downslope, toward Wissahickon and report any problems they see to Fairmount some eventual destination. But you now own a lasting connection Park Rangers. If you are unable to call 911 or the Rangers with one of the hidden gems of Fairmount Park. yourself, a Trail Ambassador can help.

Spring 2012 • Friends of the Wissahickon 5 watershedwatc h Park Project Updates Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) The main construction phase of the Wissahickon Stormwater Mitigation W ise’s Mill and Bell’s Mill Stream Restorations - construction almost and Sediment Reduction Project is complete. This includes Gully Restoration complete on both projects, with final plantings and touch-up work to be at Bluebell Meadow Pavilion, Historic RittenhouseTown, Kitchen’s Lane White completed by the end of March. PWD also has a contractor on site repairing Trail, and Kitchen’s Lane Gully. Supplemental construction and work on the section of retaining wall which collapsed along the trail parallel with Park nearby trails continues. Line Drive on the Mount Airy side of the Walnut Lane Bridge. The contractor Work on the Andorra Natural Area Restoration will begin in the spring is currently building up the existing path so that they can get their equipment and continue for approximately two years. Part of Stage 4 of the Sustainable to the site of the collapse without damaging the sewer beneath. Once they Trails Initiative, this project will include the rehabilitation of 3.3 miles of trail, can reach the site safely, they will excavate the old material and rebuild the an update of way-finding and educational signage, installation of a composting wall, which will serve to both protect our sewer and restore the walking/riding toilet, restoration of stormwater gullies, and capital improvements to the path. Until this work is complete, this section of trail will be closed, and PWD Wissahickon Environmental Center (see p. 8). —Henry Stroud, Project Manager requests that park users avoid the area, as it is an active construction site and very unstable.—Robert Praga, Philadelphia Water Dept. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) • Houston Meadow Reclamation—wildflower drill-seeding “This is a heartfelt thank you for building the beautiful trail to be done in May 2012 • Andorra Meadow Expansion—warm-season grass drill that runs from Westview St. to the Kitchen’s Lane parking lot. seeding to be done in May 2012 • Gully Restoration—District 4 - planting completed; My husband, Rick, and our dog Lulu thank you so much.” containment barriers to be installed around maintenance Theresa Landell yard in February 2012 • Gully Restoration—Saul High School – planting completed Philadelphia Department of Streets (PDS) • Gully Restoration—Mt. Airy Ave. - planting completed The park trail between Pabst Lane Bridge and Forbidden Drive was • Gully Restoration—Walnut Lane Golf Course (north) - planting closed to pedestrians and bicyclists on February 7 due to emergency repair completed work being conducted by the Streets Department on a retaining wall • Gully Restoration—Walnut Lane Golf Course (south) - all grading and supporting Lincoln Drive between W. Rittenhouse Street and Forbidden planting completed; cart path to be reconfigured at project site in spring Drive. According to Streets Commissioner Clarena Tolson, the work, begun 2012 February 7, is expected to last approximately two months. The work includes the rehabilitation and stabilization of approximately 500 feet of the existing • Gully Restoration—St. Martin’s Lane and Huron Streets - construction stone masonry wall along southbound Lincoln Drive between the roadway completed; planting to be done in fall 2012 and Monoshone Creek below the Pabst Lane Bridge. Last year’s record rainfall • Roxborough Reservoir—planting to be completed along Eva St. in fall has caused the wall to be undermined by erosion and has led to significant 2012 new damage to the mortar joints. During construction, the parking area • Gully Restoration—N. Mt. Pleasant Ave. and Mt. Pleasant Place - along southbound Lincoln Drive will also be closed. Traffic detours are not construction to be completed in February, planting in fall 2012 anticipated. The Streets Department thanks the citizens in advance for their —Tom Witmer, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation patience and cooperation during this project .—Keisha McCarty-Skelton, June Cantor, Dept. of Streets

Friends of the Wissahickon The Chestnut Hill Office Mills, Villages & Spring Lecture Series is proud to support the Friends of the Wissahickon Justin M. Baxter Lori Lorenz Homesteads of V alley Green Inn Baiyina Brown Mark Malfara Ingrid Brown Mary McNamara 6 to 8 pm Carolyn Cotton Susie O’Neil the 18th & 19th Bibby Crane Bill Shelton Janet W. Cribbins Michael Sivel Wednesday, April 25 Suzanne Danella Daniel Smith Centuries Andrew M. Loza Dolores Dougherty Dorothy Storm Executive Director for the Lisa Edmonds Pam Rosser Thistle with Sarah West Pennsylvania Land Trust Association Thomas Emlen Danielle Tucciarone FOW Trail Ambassador The Importance of Open Space Ellen L.Goodwin Judith von Scheven in an Urban Environment Kat Grant Rosalie Warren Cherry Harrison N. Dudley Warwick Sunday, April 1 2 pm Louise R. Johnston Patricia S. Webster Tuesday, May 15 Janet Lippincott Loretta C. Witt Cathedral Hall at Cathedral Village Katherine Gajewski Chestnut Hill Office 600 East Cathedral Rd. Director of the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability 14 West Evergreen Avenue Greenworks and Sustainability in Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA 19118 (rescheduled from January 29) 215-247-3750 prufoxroach.com 6 Friends of the Wissahickon • Spring 2012 watershedwatc h Water Quality of the Wissahickon Dennis Pennington of the Wissahickon Watershed Association (WVWA) presented Trends in Water Quality of the Wissahickon Wissahickon Creek Creek on December 13 at Valley Green Inn. Clean Up Pennington has more than April 28 • 9 am to Noon 38 years of experience in hazardous waste and he Friends of the Wissahickon and the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) are teaming up to clean the ground water investigations TWissahickon Creek from top to bottom on Saturday, April and remediation. His presentation addressed the WVWA water 28, from 9 a.m. to noon. quality monitoring program. WVWA has 11 sampling stations along This spring marks the 42nd anniversary of the Wissahickon the Wissahickon Creek and Sandy Run, the largest tributary to the Valley Watershed Association’s annual Creek Clean Up, and the third year that FOW has partnered with WVWA to clean all Wissahickon Creek. He also discussed major trends of the potential 21 miles of the Wissahickon Creek, the trails, and many of its pollutants as well as how WVWA intends to use the data to plan tributaries! Armed with bags, volunteers will be assigned to sections restoration and identify areas of environmental concern. of the creek to collect anything from plastic bags and swing sets, to mattresses and tires. Following the clean up, all volunteers are invited to WVWA’s Talkin’ Trash picnic in its new location at the Militia Hill Pavilion in A Creek in Crisis? Fort Washington State Park, which can be accessed by Militia Hill Road or Joshua Road. Town Meeting on the Health of the WVWA Clean Up Wissahickon Creek on March 29 To help out in Montgomery County, all volunteers must be pre- assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek or a tributary to clean; he Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) and the sites range from Lansdale to Flourtown. Please contact Bob Adams, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (SCH Academy), with support WVWA Director of Stewardship, at 215-646-8866 ext. 14 or bob@ Tfrom the Friends of the Wissahickon and Chestnut Hill College, are wvwa.org. Please indicate the name, size and age range of your sponsoring a Town Meeting on Thursday, March 29, 2012, to inform the group and tell us if you plan to stay for the picnic. community about significant environmental challenges to the Wissahickon Creek. A Creek in Crisis? A Town Meeting on the Health of the FOW Clean Up Wissahickon Creek will examine the numerous threats to the Wissahickon, To work with the Friends of the Wissahickon in Philadelphia, including diminishing water quantity, stormwater runoff, impaired water meet at the pavilion on Forbidden Drive, a short distance south quality, and flooding that severely impact the health of the Wissahickon Creek of the intersection of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Avenue. and its tributaries. Volunteers will help clean up along the creek, and nearby areas of the park and neighborhood. Parking is available The impact of the Wissahickon Creek on the lives of along Northwestern Ave. and other nearby streets, but A Creek those living in the Wissahickon Watershed is absolute. limited. Volunteers are encouraged to bike or carpool to in Crisis? Though the Wissahickon Creek has a humble beginning in the event. Other meeting spots may be selected; visit www. the parking lot at Montgomery Mall, it continues through fow.org for updates and to register, indicating if you plan Thursday, March 29 nine municipalities to the confluence of the Schuylkill to attend the picnic. Contact Dan Mercer with questions at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30) River in Philadelphia. It is a significant waterway providing (215) 247-0417 ext. 107 or [email protected]. approximately 10% of the drinking water to Philadelphians Cherokee Campus as well as habitat for local wildlife and recreation and natural FOW and WVWA share the common mission Springside Chestnut Hill beauty for area residents. of protecting the health, beauty, and wildness of the Academy Wissahickon Creek and are committed to making this 8000 Cherokee Street, Moderated by Patrick Starr, Vice President of beautiful, natural area available to the public. Both groups Philadelphia 19118 the Pennsylvania Environmental Council Southeast actively work to protect the land that surrounds the Regional Office, the Town Meeting will feature a panel of Light refreshments will be environmental experts who will examine the numerous creek by eliminating invasive plants and replanting native provided. species, controlling storm water runoff, and creating threats to the Wissahickon. Panelists will be: Carol R. Collier, and maintaining trails. For more information about the To register or for more Executive Director of the Delaware River Basin Commission; Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association please visit information visit www. John K. Jackson, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist at the www.wvwa.org. For more information about the Friends of wvwa.org or www.fow.org. Stroud Water Research Center; and Chris Crockett, Deputy the Wissahickon, visit www.fow.org. Commissioner at the Philadelphia Water Department.

7 Friends of the Wissahickon • Spring 2012 Andorra

Tree House There are three environmental education centers in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park, but only one Tree House.

By Denise Larrabee, Editor

Friends of the Wissahickon Steps Up The Wissahickon Environmental Center (WEC) For years, FOW Board Member Richard Berman celebrated its 30th anniversary last year. Three decades Who Visits of FOW ‘s Structures Crew has been working Tserving adults and children of all ages who visit the alongside Groundskeeper Steve O’Kula to help park. While the WEC is 30 years old, the building itself, the Tree House? maintain the Tree House and the Andorra Natural according to Environmental Education Program Specialist 85% of visitors are from Area, along with volunteers, including Dave Kaiser Patricia Fries, is over 100 and the trails around the building Philadelphia and Roy Patton. Last year they built bird boxes and are even older. installed a split rail fence along Northwestern Ave. and 4,282 are children the upper parking lot, among other projects. President Nestled in the Andorra Natural Area of Wissahickon Valley Emeritus Ed Stainton, long-standing leader of FOW’s Park, the house was the home of Adolph Steinle, propagator of 480 are adults Structures Crew, has also devoted years of service to the Andorra Nurseries, and his family. Steinle built its enclosed 94 Philadelphia schools the WEC and been particularly concerned about the porch around the trunk of a large sycamore tree that grew right condition of the building. through a hole in the roof, and his family named their home 16 schools outside the Tree House. In 1981, the sycamore had to be cut down, Philadelphia The Friends began searching in earnest a year but a slice of the huge trunk remains inside for visitors to see. *2010 figures ago for funds to make the needed improvements not The trails throughout the area were designed to conduct the only to the building, but to the surrounding area. In business of a farm and then a nursery. In the 1970s, 100 acres December 2011, FOW received two grants. REI gave were donated to Fairmount Park by the Houston family as a the Friends $10,000 for trail work in the Andorra natural area. (see excerpt) Natural Area as part of the Sustainable Trails Initiative. The Community Conservation Partnerships Program Today, the building’s exterior is in great need of repair and the trails administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural surrounding it are severely degraded. In addition, the habitat is marred by Resources (DCNR) awarded FOW a grant of $150,000 for capital improvements invasive plants and educational way-finding signage is dilapidated. Fries, who to the Andorra Natural Area. has managed the environmental education program at the Tree House for nine years, has noticed a marked increase in stormwater runoff and erosion since With these funds, the Friends will rehabilitate and redesign 18,000 the storms of 2004. “Water is running where it has never run before,” she says. linear feet of trail to benefit the natural environment and user experience, “There are many springs on this property, and they have all come up and are install signage, and a public, ADA accessible composting toilet. This project is constantly running down the trails, making them unusable.” considered Stage 4 of FOW’s Sustainable Trails Initiative, a project to restore 50 miles of natural surface trails in Wissahickon Valley Park.

8 Friends of the Wissahickon • Spring 2012 The need for these improvements is great. School groups and park visitors need trails that are passable, well signed, and less confusing. Who Works at the Tree House? “With this grant we can highlight the best features of this area, creating what we need for educational purposes, both for school children and Patricia Fries Environmental Education Program Specialist the weekend hiker,” says Fries. In fact, she is looking forward to the educational possibilities of all the proposed improvements. “We plan Chelsea Heck to use all the improvements for environmental education, such as Watershed Educator stormwater management and composting.” Kim Soles More Funds Needed Administrative Assistant and “Nature Inspirer” More funds will be needed to make other necessary improvements Steve O’Kula to the area, such as repainting, replacing and/or restoring all the Groundskeeper windows, and rebuilding the porch from which the Tree House got its name, something Ed Stainton has been championing for years. The complete work carries an estimated price tag of $600,000. FOW Executive Director Maura McCarthy believes it is worth it. “The Wissahickon Environmental Center connects with a truly unique trail resource, adjacent to a really remarkable section of the park with a beautiful, recently restored meadow,” she says. It is also positioned at the intersection of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, making it a part of Philadelphia that is frequently visited by residents of the suburbs. “The Andorra Natural Area is a bridging zone of the park,” says McCarthy.

FOW is currently raising funds for the improvements to the Tree House and surrounding trails. Gifts from individuals, foundations, and corporations are being accepted. Donations, questions, or opportunities should be directed to Ruffian Tittmann, Development Director, at [email protected] or 215-247-0417 ext 102.

Once there, visitors can enjoy innovative and informational The Andorra Natural Area environmental education programs for children and adults that An Excerpt from Metropolitan Paradise: The Struggle for Nature in the City. include night hikes, fishing expeditions, wildlife lessons, creek Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Valley, 1620-2020 by David Contosta and Carol Franklin (St. explorations, apple pressing, maple sugaring, a summer camp, and Joseph’s University Press, 2010) p. 497. much more. The environmental center also works in partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department to provide education about The remaining Houston property in Upper Roxborough, including the site of the Philadelphia watersheds and stormwater management. (For upcoming old Andorra Nurseries, was inherited by the children of Sam Houston. Operation of WEC programs, see pp. 15 & 16) the nurseries continued until 1961. When the business dissolved, a majority of the 1,400 acres located outside the city in Montgomery County was sold for housing “FOW encourages the community to look at this project as developments. The property inside the city reverted to the Houston Estate. an opportunity to invest in the future of environmental education in Philadelphia,” says McCarthy. “There are few resources for In 1977, Eleanor Houston Smith, one of Sam’s daughters, and her children (Lewis, environmental education in the city, so programs at the Tree House are Sam, Meredith, Sallie, Mary Minor, and Eleanor) sold the 100 acres of the original extremely valuable.” nursery tract to Fairmount Park for approximately $375,000. This addition, bounded by Bell’s Mill Road, Forbidden Drive, and Northwestern Avenue, extended the park to the city’s edge on the Roxborough side. The Smiths, with an imaginative strategy of purchase and donation, then returned the purchase price to the park commission as a perpetual endowment for the Andorra Natural Area. In 1981, the park commission bought adjacent land to make a total of 210 acres added to the park. The gift of the old Andorra Nurseries tract was the last major donation of land to Wissahickon Park in the 20th century. It continued a remarkable tradition, from a remarkable family. The acquisition of the old Andorra Nurseries tract filled out the last portion of the Wissahickon Valley within the city and a critical portion of Wissahickon Park. Private development of this piece of land would have obliterated the entrance to the gorge from Montgomery County and seriously compromised the park experience. The Andorra Natural Area also preserved Andorra Run where it joins the Wissahickon Creek at Harper’s Meadow. This tributary originates in the adjacent Springfield Township panhandle, on a large, private tract, which has tantalizingly held out the potential of extending parkland into Springfield Township.

Spring 2012 • Friends of the Wissahickon 9 More Rare Birds Calling Houston Meadow Home

Birds Observed at Houston Meadow Reclamation Project is Houston Meadow— on track to achieve its goals.

Summer 2011 issahickon Valley Park is home By Keith Russell, Ornithologist and Outreach Mourning Dove to an impressive array of animal Coordinator for Audubon PA Black-billed Cuckoo Wspecies, including the park’s most diverse populations of breeding birds, such (first reported there during summer 2009) The summer of 2011 also saw the variety of as the Ovenbird or Field Sparrow. In order to Chimney Swift bird species using remnant patches of grass and help retain some of these uncommon breeders, Ruby-throated Hummingbird shrubs in the meadow increase. Among the four many of which are declining in the Downy Woodpecker new species observed were three Yellow-breasted park, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Chats, a species that had not been observed there Northern Flicker and Audubon Pennsylvania initiated for over 20 years, and a Blue Grosbeak, a species Willow Flycatcher ** the Houston Meadow Reclamation Project never observed there before and now believed to Great Crested Flycatcher to expand and enhance remnant patches of breed nowhere else in Philadelphia. The sudden Eastern Kingbird ** this grassland and shrubland Tree Swallow habitat. (first reported there during Houston Meadow is the only location where summer 2009 when nest boxes During the 1970s, were erected) Houston Meadow Northern Rough-winged encompassed about 60 Black-billed Cuckoo and Blue Grosbeak Swallow acres and attracted a large Barn Swallow percentage of Fairmount Blue Jay Park’s uncommon have been observed in Philadelphia during American Crow breeding birds and Fish Crow butterflies. By 2008, however, trees had the summer over the last decade. Carolina Chickadee invaded the area and Carolina Wren reduced the meadow to House Wren Tree Swallow 15 acres. Many of the Blue-gray Gnatcatcher area’s breeding birds disappeared appearance of these and other new species is an Eastern Bluebird in response to this loss of meadow habitat. encouraging sign that the project is on track to (first reported there during summer 2009 when nest boxes achieve its goals. Although tree removal might be were erected) Last winter, as part of the Reclamation viewed as an environmentally unfriendly act by American Robin Project, trees were removed from most of the area some, if woodlands were not occasionally replaced Gray Catbird and in the summer of 2011, the park began to reestablish the native grass (little bluestem) that by grasslands and shrublands (Mother Nature Northern Mockingbird once dominated the area. Over the next two years, accomplishes this through fire, floods, disease, Cedar Waxwing additional species of native wildflowers, shrubs, and drought), the diversity of habitats needed to White-eyed Vireo and trees will be planted along the margins of the support many of the world’s animal and plant Warbling Vireo expanded grassland. Similar work is also being species would cease to exist. Common Yellowthroat done in the Andorra section of the Wissahickon. Yellow-breasted Chat * (3 individuals) (For an update on these projects, see p. 6) Northern Cardinal Blue Grosbeak ** Indigo Bunting Eastern Towhee Metropolitan Paradise: The Struggle for Nature in the City. Chipping Sparrow Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Valley, 1620-2020 Field Sparrow Song Sparrow by David Contosta and Carol Franklin Common Grackle Published by St. Joseph’s University Press Brown-headed Cowbird Available at FOW Orchard Oriole (first reported there during summer 2010. 8708 Germantown Avenue Increased in numbers in 2011) Four paperback volumes packed into a beautiful Baltimore Oriole hardcover case, Metropolitan Paradise is the definitive House Finch book on the relationship between natural and urban American Goldfinch environments. The lessons of the Wissahickon Valley’s House Sparrow history, present treatment and future possibilities, are both * have not been seen there in summer for about 20 years. universal and unique. **not known to have occurred there during the summer prior to 2011. This list does not include birds that occupy Available at FOW’s office or contact [email protected] the forest bordering the meadow. or 215-843-0752. Cost: $85 plus $15 shipping.

Spring 2012 • Friends of the Wissahickon 10 Meet the District 4 Team Prf o ile edication is when you go out and by Denise Larrabee, Editor do a difficult and demanding job Henry Stroud Dand then turn around and do it again a week later. That’s what the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation District 4 staff did following Hurricane FOW Project Manager Irene and Tropical Storm Lee last summer. “I was really proud of them and the way they performed,” says Gerald In December, the Friends hired Henry White, Park District Supervisor. “They got Forbidden Drive open and passable Stroud in the new position of Project Manager. so fast, that I think some people never saw all the damage.” Henry is from Sebastopol, California, and grew up on an old apple farm where he developed The speed with which the District 4 staff a strong connection with the natural world. He repaired Forbidden Drive is all the more has a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the impressive when you realize they are a team University of California at Santa Cruz and a of only 14, and they are responsible not only Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the for Wissahickon Valley Park, but all the parks University of Minnesota. He brings a wide range and recreation centers in most of northwest of experience to FOW, having worked with the Philadelphia: Roxborough, Manayunk, Minnesota Conservation Corps, Marin County Germantown, East and West Oak Lane, and Open Space District, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, Minnesota Land Nicetown. Trust, Friends of the Mississippi River, and CycloPath. I talked with Henry in his According to White, their responsibilities office at FOW. —Denise Larrabee, Editor include trash and litter removal, restroom What were you doing before moving to Philadelphia? maintenance, stormwater drainage, and My undergrad program was very broad and inter-disciplinary and gave Miguel Lugo and Dan Kronmiller road repair throughout the district. In the me a wide overview of environmental processes—what’s happening in the Wissahickon, you will often see this hard- repairing a guard rail along Forbidden Drive. environmental movement. My research in grad school focused mostly on GIS working team along Forbidden Drive repairing [Geographic Information System] applications for long-range environmental potholes, regrading the road, removing felled trees, rebuilding fences and planning—how communities can use mapping and technology to create long- guardrails, and maintaining the conduits running underneath the road to the range environmental plans. creek. What work experience will you bring to your new position? “The staff of District 4 provides critical daily maintenance of the When I worked for the Minnesota Conservation Corps, I did a lot of timber Wissahickon Valley and essential recovery care that is desperately needed after stand improvement—going out to tracks of forest and removing invasive trees every major rainstorm, flood and snowstorm,” says FOW Executive Director and improving the health of the forest eco-system. I became fascinated with the Maura McCarthy. natural resource management world and really enjoyed working outdoors and Immediately after the summer storms working with my hands. . . . At Marin Open Space District, I did similar work, but with more focus on the mapping of invasive plant species and a higher level The Men and Women last year, the District 4 team redistributed of District 4 of responsibility. . . . I volunteered with the Minnesota Land Trust and monitored 1,200 tons of rock, silt, and debris in parking Crawford Clark conservation easements. . . . I took panoramic photos for the Friends of the lots and along Forbidden Drive, restoring Park District Manager Mississippi of the view sheds of the river and created a Google map where you Gerald White the foundations of the lots and the Drive. could click on all these different points and have a full 3-D panorama. Park District Supervisor Following that, they spread 900 tons of gravel in the lots and along Forbidden Why Friends of the Wissahickon? Supporting Staff Drive. Recently, they restored the picnic To find a land management agency that understood sustainability at a level Lucious Anderson area and trail head at Bell’s Mill Road, a far beyond other places—that was really exciting for me. . . . I’m interested in Raymond A. Bevenour popular entry point for park users, removing urban planning and park management, and I feel the Wissahickon is the perfect Joseph J. Bryan debris, distributing fill, and regrading with size for me. It gives me this chance to form a relationship with a piece of land. Martin R. Graner I the goals of preparing it for plantings and Working at Marin, we were looking at 50 to 60,000 acres. I might only go to a Dave Kaiser reestablishing the trail, a part of FOW’s project location once or twice. Gregory V. Kemp Sustainable Trails Initiative (STI). In all, they What will you be doing at FOW? Norman Kronmiller have worked 1,323 hours repairing flood Scheduling contractors, looking at budgets, making sure the projects are Miguel A. Lugo damage. coming in under budget, that we are getting work done in a timely manner, and Shannon McClennan The Friends of the Wissahickon relies looking at FOW projects through the lens of STI [Sustainable Trails Initiative] Donna J. Mora on the members of District 4 for help and and making sure all our work fulfills those goals. If it is an FOW project, Damon A. Oliver support on a variety of projects, whether it is ultimately I’m responsible for the organizing, planning, and the outcome. Samuel D. Williams transporting large boulders for STI, removing How will you use GIS at FOW? George A. Wright trees that have fallen across trails, drilling One of the things that I’ve been looking at is where the existing trails are John J. Yannatell holes for fences, or delivering heavy materials going and trying to figure out—and part of this was done with the STI plan—how to work sites. “If the Structures Crew cannot we can avoid some of the more sensitive habitat areas when we’re doing new move it, dig it, carry it, place it, no matter what it is, we know that District 4 trail networks. I will also be using GIS to give people an idea of where we are has the machinery and experts to do it for us quickly, happily and correctly,” working and what kind of work we’re doing. So instead of just having a list, says Ed Stainton, long-time Crew leader and FOW President Emeritus.” I can actually show them a physical location, which could be used on FOW’s website. District 4 and FOW have a strong working relationship that goes back many years. Says McCarthy: “They have always been so generous with What has impressed you most about the Wissahickon? their time in partnering with FOW’s staff and volunteer crew leaders, and Since I’ve been here I’ve been blown away by how beautiful it is. I’ve hiked that support has allowed us to build our volunteer and project resources most of the Wissahickon. One of my tasks as a new employee is to spend a fair with confidence, knowing that District 4 is there to provide guidance and amount of time in the park. It was really interesting coming in the winter. I got a operational support.” good sense of the lay of the land. I’m excited to see how the park will change in the summer. Spring 2012 • Friends of the Wissahickon 11 VOLUNTEERUPDATE 8,609 Hours in 2011! • Thanks to All our Volunteers

Meet the Volunteer of the Year Structures Crew 2011 Volunteers FOW’s Structures Crew worked a total by the Numbers of 1,909 hours last year, and they are already clocking in considerable hours in 2012. Not hard Trail Ambassador Hikes: 37 to do when you consider all they accomplish: Trail Ambassador Docents: 48 improving the Wissahickon Environmental Center; constructing signs throughout Fairmount Total Volunteers: 626 Park; and building bird boxes, bleachers, bridge Miles of Restored Trail: 5 railings, bulletin boards, and the Warming Shed at Valley Green. The structure burned down in Woody Trees and Shrubs Planted: 350 October of 2010 due to an electrical fire during a rain storm. Over the winter, the crew has been cutting and installing the rafters. They are Congratulations to Joe Kopetsky, Trail currently in the process of selecting a roofer to TA Class Ambassador Technology Manager. “Joe has install a standing-seam metal roof on the back worked tirelessly to create the Trail Ambassador slope. The front roof will be made of cedar, blog and manage the scheduling of Trail installed by the Structures Crew. According to Ambassadors in the park,” said former FOW crew leader Mike Souders, the final completion Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Groves (right), as date is estimated to be June 1. he presented him with a copy of Metropolitan Paradise at FOW’s Volunteer Night in December. “His efforts have been essential to run the program.”

Trail Ambassadors Edward Barnard Beth Ounsworth The newest class of FOW Trail Ambassadors Shelly Brick Jane Piecuch are currently in training. Seated: Jane Watkins and Brian Hackford. Standing: Stephen Kurens, Chuck Broadbent Kimberly Quinn John Duffin, Marvin Schwartz, Maria Stelacio, Carmella Clark Scott Quitel Daniel Brown, Kim Purtle. Not pictured: Sanna Jack Coleman Merritt Rhoad Randall and Wendy Willard. Diane Dichter Fred Rosso Rose Fisher Phillip Rush Valerie Flitter Jeff Schaefer Structures Crew Diane Garvey Cathy Schweiger Rich Berman Brian Murphy Historical Geology of the Dickie Lynn Gronseth Gerry Schweiger Mark Blaustein Dan Mercer Wissahickon Gorge Doris Grubin Peg Shaw David Cerman George Sibley with Sarah West FOW Trail Ambassador Mary Hathaway Elizabeth Shaw-Fink Dave Dannenberg Tim Smigelski Monika Hemmers Donald Simon Eric Ervin Mike Souders Sunday, March 25 • 2 pm Lisa Kolker Susan Simon Mike Frumer Ed Stainton The Cedars House Joe Kopetsky Najwa Smith Bob Harries Merritt Rhoad Forbidden Drive near Northwestern Ave. Peter Lapham Stephanie Stein Jeff Hayes Mike Stofiel After this 45 minute lecture, Sarah West will lead Lorraine Linder Frank Tuplin Ron Kanter Bill Thompson a short, easy geology walk along Forbidden Drive Janet Lippincott Cynthia Turecki between Northwestern Ave. and Bell’s Mill Rd. if James Keiffer Chris Ward weather permits. FREE to the public. Registration Phyllis Magaziner John Vencius Dave Kaiser Buzz Wemple is strongly encouraged as space is limited. Register Edie Mannion Bruce Wagner with FOW Outreach Coordinator Sarah Marley at [email protected] or 215-247-0417 ext. 109. Lynn Mather Ben Wall This program is suitable for children ten and over Michele McElderry Sarah West accompanied by a responsible adult. Cancelled in the event of hazardous transportation conditions due to Patty McMenamin Donna Wilhelm snow or ice. Andrew Nave Martin Yee Visit www.fow.org for updated information.

12 Friends of the Wissahickon • Spring 2012 VOLUNTEERUPDATE Field Report pecial thanks to . . . by Dan Mercer, Volunteer Coordinator S December Kenn Rymdenko for getting coffee & lunch On December 3, volunteers built a short section of trail to link the southeast part of Blue Bell Meadow with the recently built trail that runs from the meadow to RittenhouseTown. They also Dmitri Zorine for running the SK-500 removed invasive vines that were smothering the trees and shrubs at the entrance to the newly Drew Miller for leading the vine-removal crew constructed trail section. PWD for dropping off some soil and providing rock The Demo 1 trail got some much needed maintenance on December 10. Many of the grade for the retaining wall reversals on this trail were not working properly and as a result the trail was often muddy. The grade reversal were repaired and the trail now sheds water much better. Dave Bower of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation for On December 17, volunteers raked leaves off the Kitchen’s Lane Trail to ensure that water drains taking the trash to the dump properly off it during rain storms. They also worked on the upper switchback to repair some damage to the trail tread. An additional 100 feet of trail was built near the entrance at Westview Street. Thanks to Dmitri Zorine for helping to lead the crew. Conservation Volunteers January (30 most active participants) Volunteers removed bamboo and grape vines on January 7. Three volunteers Austin Adler Dan Mercer cleaned the creek bank between Bell’s Marc Adler Drew Miller Mill Road and Germantown Ave. Thanks to Susannah Beckett from Wissahickon Ann Breen Ryan Mitchell Restoration Volunteers for leading the John Cassidy Alexander Okamoto bamboo removal group and David Bower Carmella Clark Jennifer Overberg for leading the vine clearing group and disposing of the collected trash. Jacalyn Clawson Kenn Rymdeko On January 14, volunteers removed David Dannenberg Evan Sachs grape vines at the Andorra Nature Center. Brian Desrochers Anna Shipp Two volunteers cleaned the creek between Bell’s Mill Road and the Covered Bridge. Diane Garvey Catherine Sulimay Again, thanks to David Bower for Heidi Grunwald Cynthia Turecki disposing of the collected trash. Paul Harris Charles Uniatowski At the request of the Philadelphia Noelle Becker of Lafayette Hill and Diana Hulboy Nick Uniatowski Water Department (PWD), on January 28 Ann Breen of Wyndmoor. volunteers repaired several retaining walls installed on both sides of the Chuck Kirkland Wendy Willard tributary near Hartwell Lane that feeds Wissahickon Creek. The walls were installed to support the Kenneth Kopple Borey Yem access road and protect the sewer interceptor line. Parts of the wall had been undercut during the severe storms last year and stones were placed in these sections to support the wall. This section of stream Kevin Kramer Dmitri Zorine has a series of stepped pools and volunteers also removed some of the rocks that were carried from upstream in order to restore proper flow of water. Thanks to FOW Outreach Coordinator Sarah Marley for bringing lunch.

February At the request of PWD about 50 feet You make the world of trail was rerouted at Cresheim Creek to assist with their attempts to control a more beautiful place. storm water in the area. The volunteers constructed 60 feet of new trail, built a 12 foot retaining wall to protect a tree NBCUniversal is a proud sponsor adjacent to the new trail, collected several of Friends of the Wissahickon. bags of trash, and cut English ivy from nearby trees.

(Front to back) FOW Trail Ambassador Gerry Schweiger, Jen Adams, and FOW Board Member Bravo, Chiller, CLOO, CNBC, CNBC World, Comcast Sports Group, E!, Heidi Grunwald. ExerciseTV, G4, Golf Channel, msnbc, mun2, Olympics, Oxygen, Sprout, Style, Syfy, Telemundo, Universal HD, USA, VERSUS

Spring 2012 • Friends of the Wissahickon 13

Job #: NBCU155 Job Name: Whispers Along the Wissahickon Sponsorship Ad 1

Unit: Full page Dimensions Width x Height Publication: Reservation #: Colors: 4/C Non-Bleed: 3” x 4” Program XXX Line Screen: 300 dpi Trim: NA Issue Date(s): XX/XX/11 Placement: XXX PDF: Acrobat 8.0 Safety: NA Mat. Due Date: XX/XX/11

Production Contact: Caroll Ann Moore 1-212-367-9225 x233 NEWMembers

FOW is pleased to welcome the following new members, who joined the Friends of the Wissahickon from May through October 2011. Ruth Abrahams Joyce Edwards Brett John Zella Michael Paul Shane James Alcock Kathlyn Egan Rodney Johnson Ruth Miller Robert Sharpe Mark Bachus Andrew Erlichman Steven Johnson Matthew Monk Daniel Shechtman Magdalena Bakowitz Timothy Esposito Carolyn Johnson Philip Moyer Francis Sheridan Alice Ballard Elizabeth Farley Landon Jones Kathleen Mullin Linda Silverman Harry Bambrick Karen Feisullin Virginia Kauffman Henry Nace John Singer Richard Bartholomew Elizabeth Field Ryan Kelty Andrew Nave Robert Sitrin Lorraine Basara Rose Fisher Martha Kemper Charles Ochs Victor Skloff Robert Bast Susan Fitzpatrick Chuck Kirkland Patricia O’Hara Sarah Smith photo by William Hengst Kelly Batstone Maureen Flanagan Alan Kirsch Patricia Ohlemiller Amy Soeffing Chris Beetel Valerie Flitter Debra Klebanoff Gertrude O’Leary Linda Solomon Tish Berchtold-Klus Carol Forman Kenneth Kleckner Joan O’Reilly William Sonis Margaret Berkey Carol Franklin Phyllis Kosherick Bonnie Ostrofsky Sarah Spath April 29 is Esther Berkow Lorraine Gerlich Gayle Koster Reynaldo Palacio Dean Springman Sidney Beshunsky Andrew Gerson Andrew Kraetzer Suzanne Pearson Stephanie Stein Soma Bockelman Geoffrey Ginsberg Kevin Kramer Robert Pelszynski David Stewart Wissahickon Day Patricia Bonacci Gerard Givnish Jessica Krow Thomas Phiambolis Matt Stiegler Bradley Bridge Brian Gold John Kulak Janet Phillips Jean Marie Straff he 2012 annual Wissahickon Day Parade Barbara Britt Richard Goldman Eileen Lambert Grace Pien Charles Strickler (WDP) will be held on Sunday, April 29, in Jeffrey Brosof Mark Goodman Christopher Lane Joanne Plummer Carol Stuart-Buttle Wissahickon Valley Park. The parade is the Loretta Brown Joseph Graboyes Earl Laney Joel Posener Teresa Sullivan T oldest annual equine parade in the U.S. and is Harriet Brumberg Ari Greis Christopher Larcade Anne Puhl Monica Sullivan Richard Cantor Doris Grubin Duane Large Bill Quinn Mark Sutton sponsored by the Wissahickon Valley Riding and Paul Carpenter Tamera Guenther Albert Lattanzio Linda Quiring Cherron Thomas Driving Association (WVRDA). Jeff Carpenter Christine Haines Doris Laubenstein Patricia Remeis Raymond Thomas WDP has a rich Diane Carroll Roger Harmon Andrew Layne Marilynn Rendine Peggy Thomson by Jo Catanzaro Maureen Cattie Elfie Harris Judith Lee Kathleen Renshaw Dawn Tomlinson history; tradition Susan Checkman Peggy Harris Heather Levi Bonnie Rivkin Natalie Tyler dictates that only Carmella Clark Susan Hart Laura Levitt Audrey Robinson Thomas Vernon riders and drivers participate, so no one walks. Alison Cohen Carol Hart Chris Linn Denise Rosato Ann Wallace This tradition relates to the purpose of the original James Comerford Martin Heckler Dieter Littles Dan Rose Mark Walter 1921 parade, which was to protest the proposal Kathryn Connor Carla Heiken Corbett Lohse David Rosenthal Peter Waxler to allow automobiles on Forbidden Drive. A “Save Kerstin Cook Jay Heller David Lorenzi Robert Rosenwein David Webster Monica Cooley Harry Hellerman Dorothy Luther Gail Ross Stephen Weinstein the Wissahickon” campaign rallied hundreds of RosalieCoyle Paul Hensley Evelyn Major-Eskin Alfred Rotelle Reggie Williams equestrians and thousands of spectators. Forbidden Robin Croog Steven Herman John Maley Jim Rowley Camilla Williams Drive got its name from the proposal’s defeat, hence James Cunningham Charles Hoffman Ellen Marcus Michele Rubenstein Bettye Williams cars are “forbidden.” WayneCuster Robert Holmes Carl Marcus Helen Rubin Gingi Wingard Thomas Degnan Daniel Horan Laura Margolies Frederick Rude Richard Winslow The Parade will start at 12 pm, departing from Candice DeLeo Stuart Hosansky Brian Mast Amy Russell James Winsor Harper’s Meadow. Line-up will start with carriages in George Deming Ryan Howe Marian McAllister Holley Sanford Lori Wizdo front of Northwestern Equestrian Facility (NWEF) Patricia Devlin Kimberly Hugo Richard McCourt Jason Santini Nancy Wood at approximately 11:45 a.m. Riders will fall in line Sandra Dickson Karen Hunter Donna McDonnell Dale Scannell Arthur Woody behind the carriages starting at Harper’s Meadow. Nicole DiGiulio Claudia Huot James McElhiney Joseph Scaven Shelly Yanoff Elizabeth Dooley Brianne Jackson Susan McGill David Scheid Borey Yem The Parade will travel to Forbidden Drive and Richard Drueding Eugene Jacobs Charles McNabb Susan Schein Fran Young continue along the Drive to the judging area at John Duffin Lucius Jenkins Swati Mercer Elizabeth Schmitt Jason Zuzga Valley Green Inn. Eliot Duhan Anne Jenkins Frank Messina Michelle Segre A Horse Show will precede the parade, with classes held in the outdoor arena of NWEF. The Horse Show will start at 10 a.m. Classes include English, Western, Costume, Stable Group, and Carriages. Passport to the Wissahickon provides important Registration for both the Show and the Parade starts at 9 am. information on landmarks, wildlife, trails, plants, history, geology, safety, rules and regulations, and Spectators can watch the Horse Show from the bleachers in front of the ring in Harper’s Meadow, and emergency contacts, and contains a pocket to Parade viewing is available anywhere along Forbidden hold FOW’s popular trail map. FREE to FOW Drive. The judging area in front of Valley Green Inn is members and anyone who purchases a Map of the the most popular parade viewing site. Picnic areas are Wissahickon Valley. This new membership benefit available throughout the park. Lunch is available at also provides recognition for FOW’s Business Valley Green Inn. (reservations recommended) Sponsors and will be published annually with Northwestern Avenue will be closed to traffic and updated information. Businesses interested in parking to accommodate horse trailers and carriages. Parking will be available in the upper lots at Valley being featured in the Passport to the Wissahickon Green. should contact Ruffian Tittmann, Development Parade planning continues. For more information Director, at 215-247-0417 or [email protected]. or for registration, contact Jo Catanzaro at jocat11@ verizon.net.

14 Friends of the Wissahickon • Spring 2012 Environmental Summer Camps HIKES in the Wissahickon Watershed IN THE WISSAHICKON Briar Bush Nature Center Trail Ambassador Hikes Lower Forbidden Drive Unless otherwise specified Trail Ambassador with Sarah West Briar Bush provides the opportunity hikes use rocky, rugged trails that may Saturday, May 19 3 - 4:45 pm to experience the wonders of nature be wet and slippery. Please wear sturdy Meet at the small parking lot where Forbidden shoes or boots with socks. Long pants are Drive meets Lincoln Drive, a short distance through games, hikes, crafts, live animal downstream from RittenhouseTown. This hike is encounters, and free play time. Older recommended for protection against occasional poison ivy and possible ticks. Bring water about one mile along lower Forbidden Drive on campers venture to local natural areas and a snack if desired. Children over 7 are level ground as far as the Walnut Lane Bridge. and places of interest to increase their welcome if accompanied by a responsible Children with a responsible adult are welcome. knowledge and comfort level in the adult. Walks are cancelled in heavy rain or icy For more info. contact [email protected]. outdoors. conditions. Registration is not required, but is Wildflower Walk with Don Simon recommended so that you can be informed Saturday, April 28 10 am – noon Summer Camp 2012. Half-day camps of weather or other emergency cancellations. Meet at Valley Green Inn. Difficulty: easy to for ages 2-7 and Full-day camps for ages Please send email to Sarah Marley at marley@ moderate, depending on where the wildflowers 8-18. Open registration begins Monday, fow.org. For more info. see p. X or visit www. are located. Will identify spring wildflowers. February 27. Parent Information fow.org. Bring a wildflower field guide if you have Session on May 17 at 5:30 pm. Waters of the Wissahickon Appalachian Mountain Club Kids welcome; snacks provided. with Diane Garvey Sunday, March 18 1- 3 pm Delaware Valley Chapter Location: 1212 Edge Hill Road, Abington, PA 19001 Meet at Northwest Equestrian Facility on www.amcdv.org Northwestern Ave. Difficulty: moderate. Length: Mondays More Information: 215-887-6603 or [email protected] or www.briarbush.org. 2+ miles. Will walk downstream on the orange Wissahickon Gorge Wandering. trail to the covered bridge, back on Forbidden Brisk-paced hike; distance is dependent on the P ennypack Environmental Center Drive. Waterproof shoes recommended. conditions and speed of the group. Meet by Located in 1600-acre Pennypack Park in Northeast Philadelphia, the center overlooks Binoculars recommended. Ideal for families and Valley Green Inn at 6:30 pm. Bring water and a homeschoolers 6 years & older accompanied flashlight or a head lamp. Bad weather cancels. Pennypack Creek and features an outdoor amphitheater, wildlife exhibits, 300-gallon native by a responsible adult. For more info. contact fish aquarium, bird blind and picnic area. Leaders: Christina Lawless (215-530-3883) [email protected]. or [email protected]; Michael Lawless Summer Adventure Camp (June 25-June29) Ages 8-12. Includes bird watching, fishing, Geology Hike with Sarah West (215-836-2275); David Stein (215-508-5915) hiking, and more and allows children to discover nature’s wonders in a safe, educational, and Saturday, March 24 3:00- 4:45 pm or [email protected]. Thru April 30. social environment. 9 am-3 pm. $150.00/camper. Meet at Valley Green Inn. Length: 1.5 miles Tuesdays along a rough, steep trail on the east side of Tuesday Nights in the Wissahickon. Teen Adventures (June 19-June 21) Teens age 13 and up can join us for excursions. Prices the creek upstream from Valley Green. It can Casual social hike through hills of Wissahickon vary each day. be slippery or muddy in places. This hike is Gorge. Bring water and a flashlight or suitable for children over 10 accompanied headlamp. Always an option for dinner following Location: 8600A Verree Road at Pennypack Creek, Philadelphia, PA 19115 by a responsible adult. Please bring water the hike. Meet at Bruno’s, at the corner of and sturdy footwear. For more info. contact Germantown and Northwestern Avenues, at More information: 215-685-0470 [email protected]. 6:30pm. Nasty weather will cancel the hike. Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education Lower Wissahickon with Scott Quitel Leaders: David Stein (215-508-5915 before 9 Saturday, April 7 9 - 11:30 am pm) or [email protected]; Pat Naismith SCEE offers two environmentally-based summer camp programs run by experienced Meet at the RittenhouseTown parking lot. In this (610-639-3670 before 9 pm or hikerbabepat@ environmental educators and offer children and teens opportunities to explore the natural mildly strenuous hike, we’ll explore interesting gmail.com). Thru April 24. world and their connection to it. sections of the less travelled lower Park. For Friday, March 23 more info. contact [email protected]. Nature Ramblers Summer Camp. Ages 4 to 9. Takes place on 340 acres of diverse Wissahickon Friday Nite Hike. Meet Meanderings in the Wissahickon with 6 pm at the intersections of Germantown and habitat and provides intimate and ongoing access to forests, fields, streams, ponds, and an Shelly Brick. Northwestern Aves. for a four mile, moderate organic farm garden. Campers explore the natural world through hands-on discoveries, hiking Enjoy our park and share talk stories as we paced hike, along Wissahickon Creek in the excursions, art, play, field trips and more. explore the Wissahickon trails. Pace will be set NW section of Philadelphia. Optional dinner by the group. Hikes last 1.5-2 hours. after hike. Rain or snow at hike time cancels. Summer Adventure Treks. Challenges pre-teens and teens to improve their outdoor Leader: Cliff Hence (215-247-3559 before 10 knowledge and skills in a comfortable and supportive setting. Participants learn more about Children younger than 7 are welcome if they are pm or [email protected]). hikers. Bring water. themselves, strengthen self-confidence, and gain teamwork skills while exploring the outdoors Friday, April 13 in unique and fun ways under the guidance of experienced instructors and outdoor guides. Saturday, March 17 at 2 pm. Meet at Wissahickon Friday Nite Hike. Meet Kitchens Lane entrance parking lot 6 pm at the intersections of Germantown and Location: 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128 Sunday, April 8 at 2 pm. Meet at Chestnut Northwestern Aves. for a four mile, moderate Hill Ave. entrance to the park paced hike, along Wissahickon Creek in the More information: 215-482-7300 or [email protected] or www.schuylkillcenter.org NW section of Philadelphia. Optional dinner Saturday, April 28, 1 pm. Meet at Livezey after hike. Rain or snow at hike time cancels. Wissahickon Environmental Center Lane, Allens Lane and Wayne Ave intersection Leader: Cliff Hence (215-247-3559 before 10 WEC presents affordable summer camps for children ages 6-14 that offer exploration, games, Sunday, May 20, 2 pm. Meet at Rex Ave. pm or [email protected]). crafts, and outdoor play allowing children to discover a world beyond their backyard entrance to the park. Philaventures Tree House Summer Camp (June 18-22 or June 25–June 29) Ages 6-10. 9 am to 3 pm. Saturday, June 16, 1 pm. Meet at Kitchens Lane entrance parking area. Cost: $185 for one week (family discounts available). Sundays An Overview of the Wissahickon Gay/Lesbian/TG Wissahickon Walk. Out- n-About Camp (August 13-17) Ages 11-14. An adventurous camp for the older with Peter Lapham Departs outside former Borders on Germantown campers discovering the less traveled places of the Wissahickon Valley and Fairmount Park. Sunday, April 29 2 – 4 pm Ave. in Chestnut Hill at 2 pm every Sunday. Return: approx. 5 pm. Walk at a focused pace, Time and cost TBD. Meet at the Warming Shed at Valley Green. Length: 4 miles. Walk to Kitchens Lane Bridge some ups and downs, over uneven paths. Exit Location: 300 Northwestern Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118 on Forbidden Drive and back along the east- at midway break, if desired. A fun, talkative bank, orange trail over the Fingerspan Bridge group of gay/lesbian/TG people who like fresh More information: 215-685-9285 or [email protected] and through Devil’s Pool to Valley Green. Pace air and occasional exercise. Contact: Bert G.; is casual, but there is some climbing over low [email protected] or 215-271-8822. Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association rocks on the return trail. www.philaventures.org. Summer Nature Camp at the Temple University Ambler Campus on Meetinghouse Road with field trips in the Wissahickon Watershed. Monday- Friday, July 9- 13 from 9 am - 4 pm for campers ages 8 to 12. Cost is $249.00 per camper and there is a 10% discount for Check our website for updates registrations before April 30, 2012. www.fow.org Location: 580 Meetinghouse Road, Ambler, PA 19002 More information: 267-468-8500 or www.ambler.temple.edu/camps

Spring 2012 • Friends of the Wissahickon 15 OF EVENTS IN THE WISSAHICKON CALENDAR Evening Walk at Roxborough Reservoir VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES RUNNING CLUBS VALLEY GREEN INN Tuesday March 27 6:30-7:30pm THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH EVERY THURSDAY Located on Forbidden Drive in Wissahickon Valley Park. For more information: http://fow.org/aboutval.php. An evening walk at Roxborough Reservoir, where toads Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers Wissahickon Wanderers Trail Run. 4-5 go to breed every spring. Listen for the toads’ calls and (WRV) will lead a service project from 10 am to miles. Starts 6:30 pm. at Valley Green Inn. For details call Yappy Hour learn about the reservoir’s history. Adults Only (16 noon as part of their on-going reforestation activities. 215-849-9080 or visit www.wanderersrunningclub.org. Last Tuesday of the Month. Benefits Philadelphia Animal and over) Reservoir is located right off of Ridge Details and directions to the worksite posted on the WRV EVERY SATURDAY Welfare Society (PAWS). 5-8 pm. 20% of Inn sales for Avenue on Port Royal Avenue. Parking is located at website (http://wissahickonrestorationvolunteers.org) at Shawmont Running Club. Starts at the the evening will be donated to PAWS. the ball field on Port Royal Avenue. least one week prior to the event. For information and to end of Forbidden Drive/Northwestern Ave. From the Fishing In Philly RSVP, contact WRV at 215-951-0330 x201 or wrv.info@ 2nd Saturday in May through the 2nd Saturday in WISSAHICKON VALLEY rhd.org. Day of event, call Ron at 215-483-4348. Thursday April 5 9-11am October we start at 7:30AM. From the 3rd Saturday WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Visit Wissahickon Creek to learn about life under EVERY TUESDAY in October through the 1st Saturday in May we WVWA offers many public programs as part of water and how you can help keep Philadelphia’s Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers repair start at 8:00AM. Distances are at the discretion of its mission to protect the quality and beauty of streams clean. Get a fishing lesson with rod and and build structures in the Wissahickon from 9 am to 1 runners. All levels welcome. Emphasis is on fun! www. the Wissahickon Creek and to enhance life in the reel fishing poles (catch & release). Meet at Tree House. pm. If you are handy with tools and like to build, call Ed shawmontrunningclub.com. Wissahickon Watershed. Located at 12 Morris Road, Children ages 6-15. Registration required by Stainton at 215-247-2763. Ambler, Pennsylvania. For information on their programs, March 29. Friends of the Wissahickon visit www.wvwa.org. EVERY WEDNESDAY Greener Bubbles Historical Geology of the Wissahickon Wissahickon Service Projects (September Preserve Walk at Briar Hill Saturday April 14 10 – 11:30am more info. p. 12 through May) 1 pm to 3 pm. Join Crefeld School, Friends with Sarah West Saturday, March 17, 1 pm Learn how to make simple natural cleaning products that Sunday, March 25 2 pm of the Wissahickon, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Native Tree keep harmful chemicals out of our water supply. Mix up Something new every week. Call David Bower at 215- Creek in Crisis? Town meeting on the health of Honor a mother, wife or friend, make a memorial concoctions to bring home. Ages 6 and Up. $5 per 685-0120 for information. the Wissahickon Creek more info. p. 7 donation, or purchase a native tree/s to be planted at family Registration Required by April 10. EVERY THURSDAY Thursday, March 29 7 pm Willow Lake Farm on Serve the Preserve Day, March 31. LOVE is in the air! Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers do Mills, Villages & Homesteads of the 18th & You can plant the tree or let WVWA volunteers plant it for Saturday May 12TH 10am – 4pm repairs within the Wissahickon from 9 am to 1 pm. If you 19th Centuries with Sarah West more info. p. 6 you. Purchase online before March 31. Mail a check or Join us for the first day of PPR’s Love Your Park Week. would like to help, call Ed Stainton at 215-247-2763. Sunday, April 1 2 pm call WVWA with your credit card. $30 donation per tree. Make a paper quilt square that shows how you love your SATURDAYS The Importance of Open Space in an Urban Spring Serve the Preserve Day park at WEC’s monthly open house. The paper quilt will Friends of the Wissahickon leads a service Environment with Andrew M. Loza Saturday, March 31, 9 am be on display in the Tree House starting Monday May project at various locations in the Park from 10 am to more info. p. 6 Evans-Mumbower Mill Open House 14th. 2 pm. Projects include trail maintenance, invasive weed Wednesday, April 25 6 pm Sunday, April 15, 1 – 4 pm Meteorite MYTHS 7-8:30pm removal, planting and clean-ups. April through October volunteer days are typically held 3 to 4 Saturdays per Greenworks and Sustainability in Sustainable Gardening & Working with Native Monday May 14th (Cloud date May 15th Presented by Len Jensen, President of Delaware Valley month. November thru March volunteer days are typically Philadelphia with Katherine Gajewski Plants Lecture Amateur Astronomer. This indoor/outdoor program will held 1-2 Saturdays per month. For information, check more info. p. 6 Friday, April 20, 6:30 – 8:30 pm begin with an introduction to meteorites and comets and the volunteer calendar at www.fow.org/volproj.php or Tuesday, May 15 6 pm WVWA Native Plant Sale an up-close look at a meteorite. Next viewable meteor contact Dan Mercer at 215-247-0417 ext. 107 or Annual Meeting more info. p. 3 Friday, April 20, 2 – 5 pm - WVWA Members Only shower is not until July/August, but we will visit the [email protected]. Tuesday, June 5 6 pm Afternoon meadow and observe the late spring sky. Ages 12 and FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH Saturday, April 21, 9am – noon - Open to the public Up. Registration is required by Friday May 11. Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers HISTORIC RITTENHOUSETOWN Wissahickon Warbler Walk Batastic! (WRV) will lead a service project from 10 am to noon Historic RittenhouseTown offers classes, workshops, Sunday, April 29, 8 am as part of their on-going reforestation activities. Project and events for individuals and families to learn about Friday June 1ST 7–8pm details and directions to the worksite will be posted at the craft of hand papermaking and other aspects WISSAHICKON Join us as we dispel some of the myths about bats. www.wissahickonrestorationvolunteers.org at least one of Colonial life at the original Rittenhouse Family Learn about the benefits of Pennsylvania’s bat species week prior to the event. For information and to RSVP, Homestead. RittenhouseTown is located on Lincoln Drive ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER and the cause of their alarming drop in numbers, then contact WRV at 215-951-0330 x201 or wrv.info@rhd. at Rittenhouse Street. For information on their programs Pre-registration is required for ALL programs. Space is take a hike to the creek to see brown bats in action All org. Day of event, call Rich at 267-784-4421. call 215-438-5711, e-mail programs@rittenhousetown. limited, so register early! For information and registration, ages. Registration Required org, or visit www.rittenhousetown.org. call 215-685-9285 or email [email protected]. Your National Great Outdoors Day registration must be confirmed by our staff. Unless Saturday June 9 10am-3pm Future calendar listings for the newsletter may be placed by contacting the Friends of the Wissahickon at 215-247-0417 or [email protected]. otherwise noted, programs are FREE, begin at the Tree Celebrate National Great Outdoors Day by exploring the The Calendar of Events in the Wissahickon may also be viewed on FOW’s website www.fow.org, House, and last 90 minutes. Wissahickon! Stop at the WEC and pick up a scavenger which contains updates on our events, including cancellations. Check our website for updates www.fow.org hunt that will guide you through the valley.

— Friends of the Wissahickon Membership Form —

  YES, I/We want to help preserve and protect the Wissahickon. Membership Level  $20 Limited Income/Students  $45 Basic  $75 Family All new members receive a map of the Wissahickon Valley. Limited Income/  $100 Contributing*  $250 Sponsor*  $500 Patron* Student members receive invitations to all events and our quarterly newsletter. Basic members receive invitations to all events; our quarterly  Society of Generous Friends*  $1000  $2500  $5000  $10,000 or above newsletter, and membership card with discounts for meals at Valley Green Inn (in the park) and FOW merchandise. Family members receive all benefits of *Choice of: Basic membership plus choice of two kids tees (S [6-8], M [10-12], L [14-16]).  Hat  T-Shirt (circle size) Contributing members and above ($100 or more) receive all benefits of Basic Children: S M L membership plus choice of hat or T-shirt (M, L, XL).  Please keep the premium and Red Bird: Women S M • Adult L XL use the entire membership fee for the Park. Warbler & Map: Adult M L XL XXL Method of Payment Name______ Check Enclosed (payable to the Friends of the Wissahickon) Street______ Charge my City______State______Zip Code______ VISA  Mastercard

Phone (Home) ______(Work) ______E-mail______Card Number______I also want to help the Friends of the Wissahickon with: Expiration Date______ Membership  Community Outreach  Trail Repair  Clean-Up  Wildlife Signature______ Fundraising  Reforestation  Structures Repair  Education  Vine Removal Please return to: 8708 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118 • tel 215-247-0417 • [email protected] • www.fow.org Contributions to the Friends are tax deductible as permitted by current laws. The official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll free, within Pennsylvania (800) 732-0999.