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Friends of the Wissahickon

Website https://fow.org

Events from this organizer

Today

  • Biking the Circuit Trail Waterways in September with Lisa Kleiman & Jean McWilliams

    Regal United Artists Parking Lot 3720 Main St, Manayunk, United States

    Regal UA Regal Parking Lot (3720 Main St, Manayunk, PA 19127) Join us for a late summer 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

  • National Public Lands Day Service

    Meeting at Harvey Street Trailhead Come out to celebrate National Public Lands Day with us! Each year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers come together across the United States on the fourth Saturday in September to assist with various projects designed to restore and enhance public parks, forests, waterways and more. This Saturday, we’ll be celebrating with a variety of trail work, invasive plant removal, and litter removal at Harvey Street. No experience is needed. We provide gloves, tools and instruction – you just need to show up! Be sure to wear sturdy footwear and long pants, and bring a water

  • Sunday Stewardship with David Bower

    Thomas Mansion 6245 Wissahickon Ave, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Meeting at Thomas Mansion. Would you like to be part of keeping Wissahickon Valley Park beautiful and sustainable? Then join long-time steward of the Wissahickon and the FOW Volunteer of the Year (2019), David Bower, on a variety of stewardship projects! 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 bottle with you. Detailed information and the specific meeting location will be sent

  • Introduction to Photography: Wildlife Edition with Troy Bynum

    Wissahickon Environmental Center (Tree House) 300 West Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Meet at Wissahickon Environmental Center (The Treehouse) If you’ve seen our #wildlifewednesday posts on Facebook or Instagram, you know that the Wissahickon is home to endless wild beauty worth capturing. Meet Troy Bynum, the man behind our weekly wildlife posts, and learn how to use manual settings on your camera like a professional at our Introduction to Photography Workshop: Wildlife Edition. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, this is an opportunity to brush up on your familiarity with aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and Exposure Compensation to take your photos to the next level. We’ll start at the Wissahickon

  • The Wissahickon as a Watershed: The Anatomy of a Vital Waterway with Stan Kozakowski, Debbie Hoellein & Jim McClory

    Northwestern Avenue Kiosk

    Northwestern Avenue Kiosk Join Debbie, Jim, and Stan on a 2 1/2 mile exploration of the anatomy of one of the Philadelphia Region’s vital waterways. We will see why the flow of the Wissahickon is unlike almost all other waterways in the Northeastern US; understand the different parts of a stream or river, including where different insects and fish might be found and why; and what you can do to help conserve this regional treasure. And we will even show you where people bring their love letters to the Wissahickon. Participants are welcome to bring letters, poems, pictures, and other

  • Biking the Circuit Trail Waterways in September with Lisa Kleiman & Jean McWilliams

    Regal United Artists Parking Lot 3720 Main St, Manayunk, United States

    Regal UA Regal Parking Lot (3720 Main St, Manayunk, PA 19127) Join us for a late summer 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

  • Wednesday Stewardship with David Bower

    Would you like to be part of keeping Wissahickon Valley Park beautiful and sustainable? Then join long-time steward of the Wissahickon and the FOW Volunteer of the Year (2019), David Bower, on a variety of stewardship projects on Wednesday mornings! Locations and tasks will vary week to week, and may include trash clean-ups, trail improvements, invasive plant removal, graffiti removal, and general park beautification. David’s many years of experience in the Wissahickon means you’ll learn a lot about the valley while also making a positive impact on it. No experience is needed. We provide gloves, tools and instruction – you

  • Hybrid Valley Talk: Climate Change in our Watersheds with Marc Peipoch

    Valley Green Inn Valley Green Road, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    In-person event hosted at the Valley Green Inn River watersheds, like the Wissahickon, are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Join FOW and Marc Peipoch as he discusses the implications of climate change on our watershed and what we can do in the meantime. Streams and rivers drain the land we inhabit and collect everything that occurs on it, including the developing impacts of climate change. Change is a natural feature of river ecosystems, but global warming is accelerating these changes and aquatic communities may not be able to keep up with this new pace. What can we

  • Impermanence: The Ever-Changing Wissahickon and the Universe with Stan Kozakowski & Michael Bridges

    Historic Rittenhouse Town 6049 Wissahickon Ave, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Meet at Historic Rittenhouse Town Kiosk “Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible” – Thich Nhat Hanh “Contemplating impermanence helps us to touch freedom and happiness in the present moment.” – Hanh The Wissahickon is ever-changing. Fallen leaves give way to beautiful vistas. Mountain ranges erode into gorges and valleys with running water. Eroded stone becomes beautiful Wissahickon gems. Walk with us as we explore the peaceful Wissahickon Valley as fall gives way toward winter. Together we will contemplate and explore the meaning and impact of impermanence the physical, biological, emotional, and spiritual world in the park, in our lives, and

  • Love Your Park in the Wissahickon

    Historic Rittenhouse Town 6049 Wissahickon Ave, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Meeting at the Historic Rittenhouse Town Love Your Park is an annual week-long celebration of the amazing parks we have in Philadelphia! On this Saturday, we’ll be performing a series of tasks in the Historic Rittenhouse Town area, including litter clean-up, trail work, and improvements to stormwater infrastructure. 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 bottle with you. Detailed information and

  • Silent Sunset Cruise with Amy Yuter

    Cedars House Café, Forbidden Drive just below Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    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. 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.

  • Lincoln Drive Clean-Up

    Historic Rittenhouse Town, 6035-6049 Wissahickon Ave, Philadelphia, 19144, United States

    Meeting at Historic Rittenhouse Town We will be meeting near the kiosk on Rittenhouse Lane at Historic Rittenhouse Town. See this map for the specific meeting location and parking options. Please note that the road closure on Lincoln Drive (between Wissahickon Avenue and Ridge Avenue) will go into effect at 8:00am, so plan your travel accordingly. If you are driving, you will need to park on neighborhood streets and walk to the meeting location. Be sure to give yourself enough time to get to the meet-up location. Lincoln Drive is the only main road that runs right next to the creek within

  • Family-Friendly Mindful Hike with FOW and Hike+Heal

    Houston Playground 900 Grakyn Lane, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    November 19 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm 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, the founder of Hike+Healwhere families can focus on their wellness. This hike is a great chance to connect with the outdoors and your community. All are welcome! Together, we’ll engage in interactive exercises, reflect, and practice mindfulness as we experience the beauty of the Wissahickon in crisp fall weather. We’ll begin at Houston

  • Reindeer Romp with Ted Apple & Eric Dahlberg

    Valley Green Inn Valley Green Road, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Meet at the Valley Green Inn A walk in the woods on Christmas Morning. Enjoy the beautiful views from the trails and get some exercise. This will be a moderate hike of around 4 miles on the Wissahickon Park’s trails. Children 12 and over and well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. Winter in the park provides great views and a different experience that walking in the park during the spring, summer, and early fall. We will start at the Valley Green Inn. Distance: ~3.5 miles Level: Moderate (some inclines and declines, uneven surfaces) Registration is required for all hikes

  • The Wissahickon in December with Debbie Hoellein and Jim McClory

    North Mt. Pleasant Place Trailhead

    Meet at North Mt. Pleasant Place Trailhead Join Debbie and Jim as we hike the Wissahickon in December. When we last did this hike in May, we went looking for frogs, but in winter we expect them to be at the bottom of the pond. We’ll see what flora and fauna are visible in early winter. We’ll also be visiting some historical points of interest, walking through a work of art, and admiring some beautiful rocks. Expect some rocky ascents and descents on our 3.5-4 mile route. Children 12 years of age and older are welcome when accompanied by an

  • Step into the New Year with Ted Apple & Eric Dahlberg

    Valley Green Inn Valley Green Road, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Meet at Valley Green Inn A moderate hike to get the new year off to a great start. We will walk on trails with views of the Wissahickon Creek not possible during the spring, summer and early fall. Children 12 and over and well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome. We will cover around four miles getting the new year off to a great start. Distance: ~3.5 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. We ask all event attendees to

  • Friends of the Wissahickon Public Projects Meeting

    Doran Hall, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 8000 Cherokee Street, Philadelphia, United States

    In-person at Doran Hall, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 8000 Cherokee Street Philadelphia, PA 19118 Join Friends of the Wissahickon in person on Wednesday, January 31, for its Annual Public Projects Meeting to hear about the organization’s upcoming plans and projects to conserve our community’s treasured Wissahickon Valley Park. FOW’s Executive Director, Ruffian Tittmann will review last year’s improvements and the status of current and planned projects, including the Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project. Director of Field Stewardship Shawn Green will share FOW’s volunteer achievements from 2023 as well as how to get involved in 2024. Capital Projects

  • Mid-Winter Walk with Mary Oliver led by Lisa Kleiman & Jean McWilliams

    Cedars House Café, Forbidden Drive just below Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    Meet at Cedars House Cafe You are invited to join us on a mid-winter hike through the meadows and trails of the Wissahickon in the company of some of Mary Oliver’s most beautiful and light-filled poems that capture the wonders of the season. We will trek carefully along well-travelled trails, making stops from time to time to read verses by one of America’s beloved nature poets, celebrating snow, cold, owls, redbirds and snow geese. Our route will begin at Northwestern Avenue and include trails in and around Andorra Meadow as well as a possible stop at Cedars Café , if

  • Frogs & Fingerspan with Sheryl Neckritz & Lisa Kleiman

    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

  • Spring Equinox in the Wissahickon with Melinda Spink & Melvin Chappell

    Houston Playground 900 Grakyn Lane, Philadelphia, PA, United States

    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