From the Director’s Notebook: A Clearer Path Forward
by Sara Stevenson, FOW Executive Director
Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) is excited to share that the Wissahickon Valley Park Wayfinding Assessment and Recommendations report is now available online. This report guides our ongoing work to maintain and improve wayfinding through signage, maps, and programming to strengthen navigation, reduce trail conflicts, and enhance visitor safety.
Improving signage and helping visitors use these tools effectively supports Leave No Trace principles. By becoming familiar with kiosks, blazes, posts, and maps, you can plan ahead and prepare, stay on trail, and be more considerate of the needs of plants, animals, and fellow park users.
Earth Day may be in April, but mindful sustainable practices belong year-round by following the seven Leave No Trace principles. To join us for our Earth Day Creek Clean-Up on Saturday, April 25th, register here!
Wayfinding Refresher. Now that the valley has warmed up, it is time to refresh your wayfinding knowledge and use these handy wayfinding tools as you plan your trip to the Wissahickon. If you read last year’s wayfinding blog, you are likely already familiar with the Park’s three types of wayfinding signage: kiosks, posts, and blazes.
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- Example of the Park’s Wayfinding Infrastructure: Kiosks, Posts, and Blazes
Kiosks are located at the main entrances around the park. Their one, two, or three panels contain a map, park guidelines, and other details about wildlife, the watershed, Leave No Trace, and more.
Posts, also called trail markers, are located at most trail intersections to direct you towards your intended direction or point of interest. Check out this Instragram post to learn how to read trail markers or refresh your knowledge.
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- Different Types of Trail Blazes that can be found in the Park
Blazes are located on tree trunks along the trails. Primary trails, such as the Yellow and Orange Trails, are marked with circular blazes of their color, whereas connector trails have square blazes, and access trails are marked with triangle blazes. Blazes help distinguish official trails from decommissioned or informal (“rogue”) trails.
Where not to go. Spray paint marks seen on tree trunks were the Wissahickon’s old system of blazes. These marks may be in areas that are no longer trails. Additionally, look out for trails without blazes or posts, as these trails maybe be rogue trails. Staying on official trails supports habitat stewardship and prevents people from getting lost.
Other Tools. In addition to wayfinding signage, our newest pocket map and our map app can support your planning and navigation of the Park’s 50+ miles of trails and dozens of amenities. Pocket maps are mailed to new members who join at the Basic level and above! Sign up here to become a member. If you’d like to purchase a pocket map, stop by our office, M-F, 9-5.
Wissahickon Valley Park Wayfinding Assessment. In 2024, the National Park Service – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (NPS RTCA) staff began a comprehensive evaluation of the Park’s wayfinding system. This assessment combined park-user surveys with on-site evaluation of five priority areas. Surveys were tailored to hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Responses revealed inadequate navigational signage, frequent trail-use conflicts, and limited awareness of the park’s emergency locator system.
Key recommendations include:
- Upgrading and expanding physical wayfinding elements, including replacing worn tiles and adding kiosks, posts, and trail blazes in priority locations.
- Adding specialized signage, including bike‑skills loop markers and right‑of‑way guidance near stables and connecting trails.
- Improving digital navigation resources to ensure maps are accurate, consistent, and clearly communicate trail expectations.
- Strengthening visitor education on trail etiquette and use of wayfinding tools.
- Working with city partners to improve existing emergency locator system.
Informed by these recommendations, we’re focused on maintaining and strengthening the Park’s wayfinding system through infrastructure upgrades, digital improvements, and expanded programming.
To date, we have updated our map app for consistency with the pocket map, installed additional trail marker posts, and initiated coordination with our city partners to improve the emergency locator system.
This spring, FOW’s trained volunteer Crew Leaders will continue to add blazes to unmarked trails and fix and add new tiles to existing wayfinding posts to ensure the symbols are legible and accurate.
Photos by Lawson Schultz