Volunteers Needed for National Trails Day on June 3
Friends of the Wissahickon is holding two work events in celebration of National Trails Day on Saturday, June 3, 2017. Interested volunteers can choose to lend extra hands and muscle at either the legendary Devil’s Pool, the most trafficked area in Wissahickon Valley Park, or on the Yellow Trail, a semi-technical trail that’s a favorite among bikers.
Devil’s Pool Cleanup
10 am – 12 pm
Join FOW as we partner with United by Blue (UBB), REI Conshohocken, and the City of Philadelphia for the first Devil’s Pool cleanup of the summer 2017 season. UBB has partnered with more than ten REI stores in the northeastern U.S. for a two-week cleanup road trip. They are kicking-off their “trash-trek” at Devil’s Pool and Wissahickon Creek, which runs through the beautiful Wissahickon Valley Park, before emptying into the Schuylkill River. All volunteers will receive an exclusive Cleanup Crew trucker hat! Sign-up here.
Trail Workday
9 am – 1 pm
Meet at Summit Ave. and the Yellow Trail
Each year FOW celebrates National Trails Day with a trail workday. The Wissahickon’s 50 miles of natural surface trails feel the effect of more than 1.1 million user visits each year, in addition to the impact of increased stormwater flows due to the urban landscape that surrounds the park. This all adds up to a lot of impact on a delicate piece of infrastructure. To keep the trails functioning, as well as keep excess soil out of our waterways, the trails require regular maintenance. This includes clearing drains, narrowing user-widened trails, and maintaining proper outslope. For more information or to volunteer, contact Volunteer Coordinator Christina Anthony at anthony@fow.org or 215-247-0417, ext.351.
Through National Trails Day, the American Hiker Society aims to connect more people to trails. Wissahickon Valley Park boasts a lot of them–more than 50 miles–enjoyed daily by runners, bikers, hikers, and horseback riders. To keep these trails safe, FOW volunteers repair and rebuild damaged or unsustainable trails, remove tree debris, pick up trash, and perform other maintenance throughout the park, while Trail Ambassadors provide everything from education to first aid.
“We’re always looking for more hands to help us take care of our park, and workdays like National Trails Day are a great way to show your support,” said Maura McCarthy, executive director of FOW.
by Laura Feragen, Publicist