Friends of the Wissahickon work to conserve the forest and creek and preserve historical structures. Friends of the Wissahickon work to conserve the forest and creek and preserve historical structures.
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Plenty to do in the Wissahickon...

The Wissahickon Valley provides the perfect venue for a wide variety of activities to suit everyone! Many of the activities occur regularly and details can be found below. Volunteer events are also included in the calendar and your help is always needed to keep the Wissahickon Valley beautiful.

Click here for a quick view of monthly activitiesClick for a quick view of March Activities.

See details of activities for:

Wissahickon Events

Friends of the Wissahickon

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

Stewardship Challenges in the Wissahickon. A PowerPoint presentation by Sarah West at 7 pm at Cathedral Hall at Cathedral Village, 600 East Cathedral Road. Click here for more information.


WEDNESDAY, MAY 26         

Trees of the Wissahickon Forest. A PowerPoint presentation by Ken LeRoy at 6 pm at Valley Green Inn. Click here for more information.

Horses in the Park

An Equine Experience. Last Sunday of Every Month. 1 pm at Valley Green Inn. An “up close & personal experience." Ask questions, meet & greet the horses & their riders. Learn about safe & proper horse etiquette when encountering a horse on the trail or Forbidden Drive, and how to safely approach a horse. Come celebrate the Horse! For more information, click here.

Hikes, Walks, & Runs in the Wissahickon

Appalachian Mountain Club

TUESDAYS IN THE WISSAHICKON

Casual social hike through the hills of the Wissahickon Gorge. Bring water and flashlight. Always an option for dinner following the hike. Meet at Bruno's, corner of Germantown and Northwestern Aves. 6:30 PM. Nasty weather will cancel the hike.Leaders: Pat Naismith at hikerbabepat@gmail.com.

Next hikes: 15, 22, 22, 29.

 

Batona Hiking Club

Friends of the Wissahickon

Trail Ambassador Walks

Trail Ambassador Walks last up to two hours. Unless otherwise specified, these hikes use rocky, rugged trails that may be wet, slippery, or steep. Please bring water and snacks if desired.  Children over six are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Walks are cancelled in heavy rain or icy conditions. Please check this website for updated information.

Sunday, March 14

Late Winter Geology Hike with Sarah West. Meet at Valley Green Inn at 2 pm. This rock talk and field trip is suitable for children over 10 accompanied by an adult. Click here for more information. WestSarah@aol.com.

Sunday, April 11
Hike with Merritt Rhoad. Meet at Northwestern Ave and Forbidden Drive at 1pm. Distance about 4 miles. Click here for more information.

Saturday April 17

The Spirit and Science of the Waters of the Wissahickon Creek. This 1½-2 hours walk begins at Northwestern Stables along the orange trail to the covered bridge and back on Forbidden Drive. Meet at 10 am. Leaders—Bruce Wagner and Diane Garvey. Click here for more information. bwagner@temple.edu.

Meandering in the Wissahickon with Shelly Brick. Walk will last 1 ½ to 2 hours. Pace will be set by the group. For more information, e-mail shellybrick@verizon.net.
Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 pm - Meet at The Chestnut Hill entrance to the park on Chestnut Hill Avenue at Seminole

Sunday, April 18 • 3 pm - Meet at the Kitchen’s Lane entrance parking lot

Saturday, May 1 • 2 pm - Meet at the intersection of Wayne Ave and Allen’s Lane

Sunday, May 23 • 3 pm - Meet at the Kitchen’s Lane entrance parking lot
Saturday, June 5 • 2 pm - Meet at The Chestnut Hill entrance to the park on Chestnut Hill Avenue at Seminole
Sunday, June 20 • 3 pm - Meet at the intersection of Wayne Ave and Allen’s Lane


Saturday, April 24

The Mighty Wissahickon with Scott Quitel. Meet at 9 am at Valley Green Inn.
Total distance: approx. 4 miles.Click here for more information. squitel@comcast.net.

Saturday, May 8

Hike with Peter Lapham. Meet at10:30 am at Forbidden Drive near Northwestern Stables. 1 1/2 to 2 hour hike. Click here for more information.

Sunday, May 2

Geology Hike with Sarah West. Meet at Valley Green Inn at 3 pm. Click here for more information. WestSarah@aol.com.

Sunday, May 16

Mindfulness Nature Walk with Edie Mannion and Linda Miller. Meet at the picnic tables next to the Valley Green Inn at 2 pm. Click here for more information.

Saturday, June 26
Hike with Sarah West. Meet at Washington’s Rock, where Forbidden Drive intersects with Lincoln Drive at 3 pm. Click here for more information.  

Spring Bird Walks

FOW’s Spring Bird Walks are organized by the Wildlife Committee and led by
Richard Berman, Debbie Carr, Trish Fries, Paul Good, Robin Mattison, and Steve Lawrence.


Sunday, April 25
Meet at 9:00 a.m. on Forbidden Drive at Bell’s Mill Rd. for a two-hour walk to the Covered Bridge and back .Click here for more information.


Thursday, May 13
Meet at 8 a.m. at the W. Ellet St. entrance to Carpenter’s Woods for a twohour
walk through one of the best places in Philadelphia to see a great variety
and large number of migrating songbirds during the high point of spring migration. Click here for more information.

Sunday, May 16
Meet at 8 a.m. on Forbidden Drive at Bell’s Mill Rd. for another two-hour walk to the Covered Bridge and back.
Click here for more information.


Wednesday, May 19
Meet at 5 p.m. at the Wissahickon Environmental Center for a late afternoon walk up to the Andorra Meadow. Click here for more information.

 

Philaventures

SUNDAYS

Gay/Lesbian/TG Wissahickon Walk. Departs outside Borders on Germantown Ave. in Chestnut Hill at 2 pm every Sunday. Return: approx. 5 pm. Walk at a focused pace, 3 hours, some ups and downs, over uneven paths. Exit at midway break, if desired. A fun, talkative group of gay/lesbian/TG people who like fresh air and hidden exercise. Free cookies included! Contact: Bert G.;
ALS12345@comcast.net or 215-271-8822.

Shawmont Running Club

EVERY SATURDAY

WIssahickon Walk. Starts 8:00 a.m. at the end of Forbidden Drive/Northwestern Ave. Distances ar at the discretion of runners. All levels. Emphasis is on fun! Info: www.shawmontrunningclub.com.

Sierra Club and Hiking Around Philly

SATURDAYS

Hike on Trails Not Often Trodden. The Sierra Club & Hiking Around Philly regularly sponsors a hike on the last Saturday of each month, hiking different trails. Meet at 9:45 a.m. in Chestnut Hill. For more information visit hikingaroundphilly.com or email Sidney Goldstein at sg@mrbasketball.net.

Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers

SATURDAY, JUNE 5

5th Annual Wissahickon Trail Classic. 6 am to 1 pm. For information and registration, e-mailamandah@rhd.org or visit http://wissahickonrestorationvolunteers.org.

Wissahickon Wanderers Running Club

EVERY THURSDAY

Wissahickon Wanderers Trail Run. 4-5 miles. Starts 6:30 p.m. at Valley Green Inn. For details call 215-849-9080 or visit www.wanderersrunningclub.org.

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Volunteer Opportunites in the Wissahickon

Third Sunday of every month

Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV) will lead a service project from 10 a.m. – noon as part of their on-going reforestation activities. Details and directions to the worksite posted on the WRV website (http://wissahickonrestorationvolunteers.org) at least one week prior to the event. For information and to RSVP contact WRV at 215-951-0330 x2101 or wrv.info@rhd.org.

Every Tuesday

Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers repair and build structures in the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you are handy with tools and like to build, call Ed Stainton at 215-247-2763.

Every Wednesday

Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers rebuild dry stone wall in the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you like to work with stones, call Dan Mercer at 215-280-0441

Every Thursday

Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers do repairs within the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you would like to help, call Ed Stainton at 215-247-2763.

First Saturday of every month

Sierra Club and Hiking Around Philly sponsors a monthly trail work party from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. For details and place to meet, email Sidney Goldstein at sg@mrbasketball.net  or call 215-247- 4459.

Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV) will lead a service project from 10 a.m. to noon as part of their on-going reforestation activities. Project details and directions to the worksite will be posted on the WRV website (http://wissahickonrestorationvolunteers.org) at least one week prior to the event. For information and to RSVP, contact WRV at 215-951-0330 x201 or wrv.info@rhd.org.

Fourth Saturday of every month

Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association leads a work day sponsored by FOW. This work day focuses on sustainable trail restoration at various locations throughout the park from 9 amto 2 pm. For more information, visit www.phillymtb.com or contact Kevin Groves at 215-247-0417 or groves@fow.org. Click here for more information about the next workday.

Friends of the Wissahickon Saturday Volunteer Days

Friends of the Wissahickon leads a service project at various locations in the Park from 10 am to 2 pm. Projects include trail maintenance, invasive weed removal, planting and clean-ups. April through October volunteer days are typically held 3 to 4 Saturday per month. November thru March volunteer days are typically held 1-2 Saturdays per month. For information on particular dates, check the volunteer calendar or contact Kevin Groves at 215-247-0417 ext. 105 or groves@fow.org.

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Activities at Historic RittenhouseTown

Historic RittenhouseTown (HRT) offers classes, workshops and events for individuals and families to learn about the craft of hand papermaking and other spects of Colonial life at the original Rittenhouse Family Homestead. HRT is located on Lincoln Drive at Rittenhouse Street . For information, call 215-438-5711; e-mail HistRitTwn@aol.com , or visit www.rittenhousetown.org.

March 27

Annual Egg Hunt. 11 am. Children ages 12 and under are invited to search for prizefilled eggs at Historic RittenhouseTown. The egg hunt starts
promptly at 11am and will continue until all the eggs have been collected. The egg hunt is free and refreshments will be available for purchase. Please bring your own bag or basket. For more information and directions, visit www.rittenhousetown.orgor contact us at 215-438-5711 or information@rittenhousetown.org. Do not use GPS or internet mapping sites to find RittenhouseTown. The directions provided will be incorrect due to our park location.

Activities at Valley Green Inn

Last Tuesday of the Month

Yappy Hour. Benefits Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). 5-8PM. 20% of Inn sales for the evening will be donated to PAWS.

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Activities at Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association

The Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association (WVWA) is a non-profit land trust founded in 1957 to protect the quality and the beauty of the Wissahickon Creek. For more information, visit www.wvwa.org.

Sunday, March 14

Behind the Scenes Tour & Lecture of the Fairmount Water Works Museum. 2 pm. Hear the story of the life, death and rebirth of the Schuylkill Watershed and then take a tour of the interior and exterior of this beautiful building. 640 Waterworks Drive, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Free. Pre-registration is required; space is limited.

Sunday, March 28

Guided Walk on the Green Ribbon Trail. 1:30 pm. Come see how the Green Ribbon Trail has changed! Walk from WVWA Headquarters, over the Ambler Rotary Bridge up to the newly installed Mathers Road stepping stones. Get a brief overview of the BoRit Site from WVWA’s Director of Stewardship, Bob Adams. Free. Bring your dog for a walk. We plan for an hour – but often go longer. Call ahead to register, or just show up.

Thursday, April 8

How to Bird Class at REI Meet at REI in Conshohocken. 7 pm. Join WVWA birder Jamie Stewart for an introductory class in birding. Learn the basics of bird identification, how to use binoculars and where to bird locally. Free. REI, 200 West Ridge Pike, Conshohocken, 610-940-0809.

Activities at the Wissahickon Environmental Center

The Wissahickon Environmental Center (WEC) at Andorra Natural Area (Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Ave.) offers the following activities to teach individuals about the natural world. Pre-registration is required for all programs.Space is limited, so register early! Unless otherwise noted, all programs are FREE, meet atthe Tree House, and last approximately 90 minutes. For information and registration, phone 215-685-9285 or email WEC@phila.gov Your registration must be confirmed by our staff.

EVERY SECOND SATURDAY

Open House at the Tree House         

Come explore the Tree House on the first Saturday of each month! See our native fish aquarium, naturalistic mural, birdfeeders, and discover our children’s activity center. 10AM to 4PM. All ages. No registration necessary. FREE

SATURDAY, APRIL 10

Spring Cleaning Natu rally. 10 am. (Rescheduled from February) Join us for this hands-on program which will teach you how to make your own ecofriendly household products. Learn how to make cleaners for your floors, sinks and windows from natural ingredients that are easy on you, your wallet and the environment. Adults only. $5/person.

SATURDAY, MAY 8

Baby Birds Satu rday. 10 am. Bring your little one to the Tree House for a fun-filled lesson for our next generation of birding enthusiasts. Your beginner birder will find out how birds differ from other animals and from each other. Children will learn basic bird songs, make their own “bird nests,” play some fun games and go outside to look for birds, their babies and signs that they have left behind. Children ages 4-6 (with an adult).

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19

Wildlife Walk. 5 pm. Join us as we partner with the Friends of the Wissahickon Wildlife Committee for an evening spring walk through the Andorra Natural Area. We will walk through forest and meadow habitat in search of resident bird species, late migrants and nesting birds. We’ll also keep our eyes open for other wildlife species along our hike. (Light refreshments will be available to all participants before the walk begins.)
All ages welcome.

SATURDAY, JUNE 12

New Moon Hike. 8 pm. Discover the wonders overhead during this month’s New
Moon. Meet inside the Tree House for an introduction to the night sky as we wait for the sun to set. Then, we’ll hike to the meadow to star-gaze and see what the sky above Philadelphia has to offer on this spring evening. (Bring flashlights & come prepared to hike through the woods.) Adults only.

MONDAY, JUNE 21

Summe r Solstice Hike. 5 am. Rise and shine…it’s summertime! Celebrate the longest day of the year by joining us on a fast-paced hike through the Wissahickon woods. Wake up early and get out on the trails for a morning walk as we welcome summer. (Join us for breakfast at the Tree House after the walk.) Adults only.

WATERSHED PRESENTATIONS

As part of FOW’s Protect Our Watershed series, The Wissahickon Environmental Center staff is available to deliver a FREE presentation about watershed issues to your organization. Learn how you can play a role in cleaning up the waterways near your home. Call for information.

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