PMBA Donates $1600 to FOW

The Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association (PMBA) presented FOW with a check for $1600 on June 28, during a volunteer trail maintenance day. PMBA generously donated this money out of their proceeds from Rally in the Valley, an annual fundraiser. "FOW greatly appreciates this donation," said FOW Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Groves. "We will put it toward the Sustainable Trails Initiative." 

Lingelbach School Students Make a Difference

Students from the Anna L. Lingelbach School in Germantown raised over $200 for the Friends of the Wissahickon with a Dress-Down Day in June. Students pay $1 or $2 to dress out-of-uniform for a day. Lingelbach students opted to wear green in honor of the environment.

"We really appreciate the support of the Lingelbach students," says Maura McCarthy, FOW's Executive Director. "It's great to know the next generation cares for the Wissahickon as much as we do." Pictured here are Maura McCarthy, students Tenin Sissoko and Quinzanaria Sunkett, and gym teacher Amelia Rastrick.

First Bio-composting Toilet in Fairmount Park

The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) celebrated the opening ofthe first bio-composting toilet in Fairmount Park on June 12 with a Toilet Paper Ribbon Cutting followed by a toast with prune juice. The toilet is located in the WPA structure on Forbidden Drive near the Kitchen’s

Lane entrance to Wissahickon Valley Park. “The composting toilet will serve as a proto-type for future composting toiletsin the park,” says Chris Palmer, Director of Operations and Landscape Management for the Fairmount Park Commission (FPC). FOW’s Structures Crew worked with the Fairmount Park Historic Trust, Fairmount Park staff, and Bio-Sun Systems to renovate the historic structure and install the composting toilet. The project was funded in part by a grant from REI, supplier of specialty outdoor gear and clothing.

Pictured here are: (Front Row) Richard Berman (FOW); Max (cutting “ribbon”) and Jonah Fine (Chestnut Hill); Ethan Larrabee and Des O’Donovan (Mt. Airy); (Back Row) Ed Stainton (FOW); Chris Palmer (FPC); and Maura