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Love Your Park Service Day in Houston Meadow

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

Meeting at Houston Playground Regardless of where you park, be sure to refrain from leaving any valuables in your car. There may be limited bathroom access during the service day. Love Your Park is an annual week-long celebration of the amazing parks we have in Philadelphia. Join us in Houston Meadow for a variety of stewardship tasks to celebrate! All are welcome to attend, and no experience is needed. We encourage attendees to work within their own comfort level, and we always strive to accommodate needs on an individual basis. With that being said, this service day may include the

Houston Meadow Volunteer Service Day

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

Meeting at Houston Playground Regardless of where you park, be sure to refrain from leaving any valuables in your car. There may be limited bathroom access during the service day. Would you like to be part of keeping Wissahickon Valley Park beautiful and sustainable? Then join us in Houston Meadow for a variety of stewardship tasks! All are welcome to attend, and no experience is needed. We encourage attendees to work within their own comfort level, and we always strive to accommodate needs on an individual basis. With that being said, this service day may include the following activities: •

SOLD OUT: Bird Walks Along the Wissahickon with Troy Bynum and FOW, Part 2

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

Photo courtesy of Stacey Gray Meeting at Houston Playground Get to know the birds around Wissahickon Valley Park on Part 2 of this four-part series of guided bird walks, hosted by Troy Bynum from TB Wildlife Photography LLC in partnership with Friends of the Wissahickon. Join all the guided walks to better understand the various habitats and birds found within, or come for just one walk! Troy Bynum, owner of TB Wildlife Photography LLC, is not only an enthusiastic birder but also a passionate wildlife photographer from Philadelphia, PA. Troy’s work focuses on capturing and showcasing the remarkable colors, intricate

Spring Equinox in the Wissahickon with Melinda Spink and Melvin Chappell

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

Photo courtesy of Mark Pugnetti Meeting at Houston Playground Come out to the Wissahickon to celebrate the Spring Equinox! We will be meeting on the eve of the equinox, exactly 12 hours before the official arrival. We’ll hike the Houston Meadow trail, observing the changes happening in the park as we transition from winter to spring. We will also have interesting facts and lore around the Spring Equinox. This hike is appropriate for ages 12+. 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

Winter Solstice in the Wissahickon with Melinda Spink and Melvin Chappell

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

Photo courtesy of Daniel Kalamarides Meeting at the Houston Playground Trailhead Kiosk Join us to hike Houston Meadow and the yellow trail to celebrate the Winter Solstice! We’ll observe the changes in the Wissahickon as we slip from autumn into winter – and also discuss Winter Solstice facts and lore. 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. Unless otherwise specified, Trail Ambassador Walks may be on rocky, rugged trails that may be wet and slippery. Wear sturdy shoes or

Family Birding Hike with FOW, Hike+Heal, and Troy Bynum

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

Photo courtesy of Stacey Gray Meeting at Houston Meadow Playground Join our last family hike of the 2024 series with FOW, Hike+Heal, and Troy Bynum, bird-extraordinaire and the photographer behind our #WildlifeWednesdays, on a special-edition birding hike through the Wissahickon Valley Park! Birding as a hobby exploded through the pandemic and it’s no secret as to why: it’s a new way to engage with the outdoors, learn about the world around you, and slow down from the pace of every day life. Plus, you can see some fantastic birds in the Wissahickon, especially during Fall migration! In order to attend

National Public Lands Stewardship Day

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

Meeting at Houston Playground 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 tasks at Houston Meadow. No experience is needed. We provide gloves, tools and instruction – you just need to show up! Volunteer service days are excellent ways to help us take care of Wissahickon

Bat Night & Release! An Evening About Bats in the Wissahickon

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

Join staff from Pennsylvania Bat Rescue and Wissahickon Environmental for a presentation on bats and then a release of several rescued bats.Join staff from Pennsylvania Bat Rescue and Wissahickon Environmental Center for an evening about bats. Learn about bats from our region, how they benefit us, our ecosystems, and the current threats to their existence. Learn about the important efforts of the Pennsylvania Bat Rescue nonprofit as they work to conserve bats through education, treating injured bats, and rehabilitating bats suffering from White Nose Fungus.Meet a few species of bats!! Then join us in Houston Meadow as several rehabilitated bats

Spring Equinox in the Wissahickon with Melinda Spink & Melvin Chappell

Houston Playground 900 Grakyn Ln, 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

Woodcock Bird Walk

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

This walk is timed to see the evening aerial mating displays of the American Woodcock, a very unique bird.This walk is timed to see the evening aerial mating displays of the American Woodcock, a very unique bird. We will walk to Houston Meadow and listen for the sound of the Woodcock wings and glimpse its upward flight. Meet at Houston Playground.

Family-Friendly Mindful Hike with FOW and Hike+Heal

Houston Playground 900 Grakyn Ln, 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

Houston Meadow Bird Walk

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

Houston Meadow provides quick access to different upland habitats that support a diversity of birds.Houston Meadow provides quick access to different upland habitats that support a diversity of birds. We will scan the meadows for bluebirds and sparrows, the woods for warblers and vireos, and watch the open sky for raptors. If Eventbrite is “full” RSVP at WEC@phila.gov

Volunteer Service In Houston Meadow

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

Meeting at the Houston Playgound Over the past two years, FOW has worked with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation to plant hundreds of native trees and shrubs in the wooded ravine of Houston Meadow. These plants not only provide necessary habitat to our wildlife, but also helps with erosion control. On this Saturday, we’ll be completing the important task of maintaining these plantings by removing invasive vines, fixing deer browse protection fencing, and more! 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

Spring Equinox in the Wissahickon with Melinda Spink and Stephanie Brown

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

Meeting at Houston Playground (900 Grakyn Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19128) Are you as excited about the spring as we are? Then come out and join Trail Ambassadors, Melinda Spink and Stephanie Brown, for a walk in the Wissahickon to celebrate the official changeover from winter to spring! You’ll learn facts about the spring equinox and what to expect in the Wissahickon with the new season, as well as enjoy the beautiful variety of Houston Meadow! Distance: 2 miles Level: Moderate (some inclines and declines, uneven surfaces) Registration is required for all hikes so that participants can be informed of weather

Woodcock Walk

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

We will listen and watch for Woodcocks, affectionately called Timberdoodles Thursday March 2nd. Meet local birder Martin Selzer and WEC staff at Houston Playground at 5:30-5:45 PM until dark to listen and watch for Woodcocks, affectionately called Timberdoodles. We will begin to walk onto the trail at 5:45PM. All ages. FREE

Silent Sunset Cruise with Amy Yuter and Kate Charles

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

Meet at Houston Playground 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 sets 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 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