Event

The Penn Sustainability Office and the Environmental Innovations Initiative present a panel discussion on Environmental Justice research at the University of Pennsylvania. This event brings together leading researchers across disciplines such as planning, health, engineering and more doing work in the field of environmental justice to share their insights and foster dialogue on the state of current knowledge and what it means for a sustainable, resilient, and just future. Refreshments will be provided. The panel will be moderated by Benjamin Todd Jealous, Professor of Practice, University of Pennsylvania and Executive Director, Sierra Club. Panelists: Henry Daniell - Vice-chair and W.D.

Meet at Hortter St. and Park Line Dr. How was the Fingerspan Bridge delivered to its remote sylvan location? And what is its connection to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel? Find out the answers to these and other intriguing questions on this end-of-winter hike. Other highlights along our route will include a frog pond, a statue of William Penn looking out over the valley, Climbers’ Rock, and the colonial-era Livezy House. Trail is often wet and muddy, and there is one easily navigated streamlet crossing. Distance: ~4 miles Level: Difficult (many inclines and declines, uneven surfaces) Registration is required for all hikes

Meet at Houston Playground Kiosk Spring is coming! Hike with us to celebrate the transition from winter to spring in the Wissahickon. We’ll talk about the Spring Equinox and what to expect in the Wissahickon now that it’s spring. Meet at Houston Playground trail kiosk. Distance: ~2.5 miles Level: Moderate (some inclines and declines, uneven surfaces) Registration is required for all hikes so that participants can be informed of weather or other emergency cancellations. If you or anyone in your household are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home. More information is at fow.org/covid-19. Unless otherwise specified, Trail Ambassador Walks may be

Meet at Houston Playground Join Debbie and Jim on their first hike of the Spring. There is no place like Wissahickon Valley Park to experience the beauty of this time of year. We’ll note the flora, including which flowers, both native and non-native, are blooming. We’ll look for changes in the wildlife also. Our approximately 4.2 mile hike will take us to both sides of the Wissahickon, passing through meadow and woods. We’ll see Courtesy Stable and visit places of historical interest including the Covered Bridge and WPA structures. Children 12 years of age and older are welcome when accompanied

Meet at Courtesy Stable Kiosk (901 E Cathedral Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19128) Missed the All-Trails Challenge? No problem. Join us for an “abridged” all-trails loop walk that includes five of the major trails in the Wissahickon. We’ll start and finish at the kiosk at Courtesy Stables on Cathedral Road and enjoy the variety of vistas from both sides of the creek. Along the way, we’ll observe points of natural and historic interest, as well as ongoing water management projects. The route includes some steep and rocky ascents and descents and is about 4- 4.5 miles long. Children 12 years of

Meet at Cedar House Cafe Join us on a mindful and silent, moderate paced saunter – we’ll have moments to connect and share with other participants throughout our contemplative journey. Enjoy a full sensory experience as the sun begins to set on these beautiful trails. This walk is most appropriate for adults and youth 16 and older. Pace will be set by the group. Please feel free to bring a flashlight for hikes closer to sunset. Note: hikes are scheduled closer to sunset, when possible, and otherwise late afternoon to experience the tranquility that timing offers. Distance: ~2.5 miles Level:

Meet at Meet at parking lot in front of the Philadelphia Canoe Club (4900 Ridge Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19127). Trailblazing women have played a vital role in the Wissahickon Valley for many centuries. Join one of Philly’s 2020 Women’s History Month honorees, Kris Soffa, to celebrate the legendary Wild Woman of the Wilderness, a Revolutionary spy, and environmental advocates whose efforts have resulted in this wilderness park, the crown jewel of the Philly Parks System. We will walk on the paved path from the mouth of the Wissahickon Creek to the Henry Ave Bridge and back. No dogs please other

Blue Bell Hill Parking Lot Come join us on a set of 2 Watershed Wellness Walks to deepen your connection to nature and to the Wissahickon Watershed. During our walk, we will be guided into slowness, stillness, and quietude to better receive what is happening in the life around us and within. This walk will be repeated at this location on April 19, allowing us to see the dramatic change in scenery after the trees have leafed out. Our path will take us on trails of varied terrain, connecting with nature through slow paced observation and sensory awareness intended to

This event is being rescheduled due to forecasted rain and muddy trail conditions. On this set of two walks, we will explore waterways in Mt. Airy, that are hidden in plain sight. Before embarking on this steady, silent, slow amble to the Wissahickon Creek, you will be introduced to the terrain, how it sheds water, and how this action safeguards our drinking water. Over the Carpenter Run and through the woods we will go, visiting varied surprise locations as we walk to Kitchens Lane Bridge, where we will take in spectacular views of the Wissahickon gorge. Before and after the

Meet at Blue Bell Hill Park Come welcome spring with a multi-sensory, immersive nature experience that is sure to delight and refresh. You will be guided to use all your senses to notice the rapid transition from Winter to Spring, or Water to Wood according to the Five Element map. Together, we’ll explore the natural environment and our inner experience using a variety of mindfulness, somatic, and energetic practices. Trail Ambassador and acupuncturist Margaret Kinnevy and Anna Murphey, licensed therapist and ecotherapy practitioner, are your guides for this first in a series of forest bathing experiences in our treasured Wissahickon

Wissahickon Wildlife Greatest Hits will focus on the special animals and wildlife spectacles of Wissahickon Valley Park. Join Tony Croasdale and FOW and learn a bit more about Wood Ducks, Red Salamanders, Red Squirrels, and more! Tony Croasdale, MS CE -Tony Croasdale is the site director of Wissahickon Environmental Center for Philadelphia Parks and Recreation and an adjunct professor of plant ecology at Temple University and landscape ecology at Thomas Jefferson University. Tony is an expert birder, the founder of BirdPhilly, and captain of a two-time champion World Series of birding team. He is a co-host of The Urban Wildlife

Meet at Houston Playground We’ve learned so much from our Wellness Consultant, Brandi Aulston especially that healing and wellness aren’t linear, it’s a continued investment in ourselves. We’re happy to invite you to a family-friendly hike led by Brandi and her organization, Hike+Heal where you can focus on you and your loved one’s wellness. This hike is a great chance to connect with the outdoors and your community! Together we’ll engage in interactive exercises, reflect and practice mindfulness and experience the beauty of the Wissahickon. Brandi Aulston, MHA/MHE founder of Hike+Heal Wellness LLC, is a wellness entrepreneur extremely dedicated to

Meet at Walnut Lane Golf Club Join Debbie and Jim as we hunt for spring ephemerals! Last year we saw spring beauties, mayapples, trout lilies, trillium, and possibly jack-in-the pulpit. Will we be that lucky this year? We’ll also check on what the frogs are doing at the frog pond. We may also visit some points of historical interest on our route. This hike is a little longer than some of our others, and we will plan to spend about 3 hours on the trails. There are some rocky ascents and descents on the route. Children 12 years of age

Meet at Blue Bell Hill Parking Lot If you visited the Blue Bell Hill in March, return with us in April to delight in the exuberance of spring. Evident in the woodlands will be the spring ephemeral flowers and vernal streams. Learn of the role they play in the ecosystem of the watershed. During our walk, we will be guided into slowness, stillness, and quietude to better receive what is happening in the life around us and within. Our path will take us on trails of varied terrain, connecting with nature through slow paced observation and sensory awareness intended to

Meet at Carpenter’s Woods Trailhead Kiosk on Greene Street & North Mt. Pleasant Road On this set of two walks, we will explore waterways in Mt. Airy that are hidden in plain sight. Before embarking on this steady, silent, slow amble to the Wissahickon Creek, you will be introduced to the terrain, how it sheds water, and how this action safeguards our drinking water. Over the Carpenter Run and through the woods we will go, visiting varied surprise locations as we walk to Kitchens Lane Bridge, where we will take in spectacular views of the Wissahickon gorge. Before and after

Meeting at Blue Bell Park. The Annual Creek Clean-Up is an always-fun project we’re partnering on with our upstream partners Wissahickon Trails. This year, we’re setting our sights on the southern end of the Wissahickon Creek and it’s surrounding areas. Come help us make a difference in this highly used section of the park! No experience is needed. We provide gloves, tools and instruction – you just need to show up! Volunteer service Days are excellent, easy ways to help us take care of Wissahickon Valley Park. Be sure to wear sturdy footwear and long pants, and bring a water

Meet at Wigard Trailhead Elevate your mood, recenter and refocus as we walk, gratefully, into the woods. Walking and gratitude is a powerful combination only heightened by the beauty and serenity of the Yellow Trail in Spring. As we meander we will have opportunities to share and connect with others and learn about, and thankfully acknowledge, our predecessors who worked to preserve the Wissahickeon we enjoy today. The route includes some steep and rocky ascents and descents and is about 3-3.5 miles long. Children 12 years of age and older are welcome when accompanied by an adult; no dogs except

Meet at Rex Avenue Trailhead Come join us for a trek along the Wissahickon trails as we explore the films and television programs, the paintings, the literature and the music that have drawn inspiration from the Wissahickon and rooted it in American culture. We will hike both Forbidden Drive and the wooded trails of the northern portion of the park, stopping at points of interest to note and appreciate their cultural significance. We will try to maintain a moderate pace. Note that the terrain is hilly and uneven in spots, so plan your footwear accordingly. Level: Moderate (some inclines and

Meet at Crefeld Street Trailhead Join us on a mindful and silent, moderate paced saunter – we’ll have moments to connect and share with other participants throughout our contemplative journey. Enjoy a full sensory experience as the sun begins to set on these beautiful trails. This walk is most appropriate for adults and youth 16 and older. Pace will be set by the group. Please feel free to bring a flashlight for hikes closer to sunset. Note: hikes are scheduled closer to sunset, when possible, and otherwise late afternoon to experience the tranquility that timing offers. Distance: ~2.5 miles Level:

Jannette Street Trailhead  Join us on a mindful and silent, moderate paced saunter – we’ll have moments to connect and share with other participants throughout our contemplative journey. Enjoy a full sensory experience as the sun begins to set on these beautiful trails. This walk is most appropriate for adults and youth 16 and older. Pace will be set by the group. Please feel free to bring a flashlight for hikes closer to sunset. Note: hikes are scheduled closer to sunset, when possible, and otherwise late afternoon to experience the tranquility that timing offers. Distance: ~2.5 miles Level: Moderate (some

Regal UA Cinema Parking Lot, Main Street Manayunk Join us for a spring bike ride along three waterways that link trails in the Wissahickon Valley Park to the Schuylkill River Trail, all part of the vast Circuit Trail Network. We will meet in Manayunk at the Regal Cinema Lot on Main Street and will head toward Wissahickon Valley Park. We will hook onto the Wissahickon Bike Path and ride along Wissahickon Creek up to Historic Rittenhouse Town, and will then head to Forbidden Drive, where we will ride for a short period of time to view some of the historical

Valley Green Inn What’s a 100th birthday without a party? We may be 100 years old, but we can still party! Join Friends of the Wissahickon to celebrate our 100th anniversary at the park’s very own Valley Green Inn on May 10. We’re paying homage to the rich history of the Wissahickon and its roadhouses with catfish and waffles and cheersin’ to the future with special local beer crafted in our honor by Chestnut Hill Brewing. This is a community celebration for Wissahickon-lovers, FOW members, families, and friends. Come for the catfish, stay for the live music, an art gallery

Join the Junior League of Philadelphia during Mother’s Day weekend for Philly in Full Bloom: A Junior League Market! Taking place on Saturday May 11 at Philadelphia’s historic 23rd Street Armory the event will feature the city’s many sights and sounds of the spring season and allow patrons to shop from some of Philadelphia’s best artisans creators and vendors. Tickets are on sale now for $10 as part of a pre-sale discount and will go to $20 on March 20. Tickets will also be sold at the door for an increased price.

The small stone and log buildings along Forbidden Drive have captured the imagination of park users for years. They blend into the surroundings creating a feeling that they have always been part of it. They were constructed as part of a massive improvement project within the Wissahickon, but were intentionally designed to disappear into the valley.  Join Kate Cowing and FOW as she explains the controversy leading up to their construction, the history of the buildings, and then on to the present.  Kate Cowing, AIA, is both an architectural conservator and a registered architect with more than 25 years of

Meeting at Forbidden Drive & Bells Mill Road This Saturday we’re shaking things up and running a volunteer service day for women of the Wissahickon! We welcome cis and trans women & girls, as well as people of other gender identities who feel most aligned with this group. We ask that men interested in volunteering find other ways to enjoy the park on this date and join us for another service day in the future! We’ll be working on trail improvements along the popular Monster Trail (northern terminus of the Yellow Trail) which will be led by an all-female team.