Calendar
Plenty to do in the Wissahickon...
The Wissahickon Valley provides the perfect venue for a wide variety of activities to suit everyone! Many of the activities occur regularly and details can be found below. Volunteer events are also included in the calendar and your help is always needed to keep the Wissahickon Valley beautiful.
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See details of activities for:
Wissahickon Events
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
Ice Cream Social. 4 - 8 pm. Meet the staff and volunteers of FOW. Free ice cream, environmental activities for the whole family, and live steel drum music. On the lawn at FOW offices at 8708 Germantown Avenue. For more informatiOn, call 215-247-0417.
FRIDAY, MAY 9 and SATURDAY, MAY 10
Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association Annual Birdathon. If you love birding, join a team, gather pledges to support the WVWA, and bird the entire Wissahickon Watershed (including Andorra Natural Area, Carpenter’s Woods, and along Forbidden Drive). You need not be an expert birder to participate. Teams gather to share results and socialize at the WVWA Four Mills Barn (12 Morris Rd., Ambler) on Saturday at 4 pm. For information, contact Carol DeLancey, Director of Special Events, at 215-646-8866 x15, e-mail Carol@wvwa.org, or visit www.wvwa.org for complete information.
Hikes, Walks, & Runs in the Wissahickon
MONDAYS. The Appalachian Mountain Club Delaware Valley Chapter. 6- 7 mile, fast-paced, gentle hills hike. Distance depends on speed and condition of group. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at Valley Green Inn. Bring flashlight and water. Bad weather may cancel. Info: Pat Naismith, 610-639-3670, naismpat@ssd.k12.pa.us Mike & Tina Lawless at christinalawless@hotmail.com; or David Stein at david0857@verizon.net. Next hikes: February 25, March 3, 10, 17, 24.
TUESDAYS. Wissahickon Gorge Hike with Appalachian Mountain Club Delaware Valley Chapter. Brisk paced hike. Bring flashlight and water. Option for dinner or snack after the hike. Meet at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Germantown and Northwestern Avenues. Bad weather cancels. Info: Pat Naismith, 610-639-3670, naismpat@ssd.k12.pa.us. Next hikes: February 19, 26, March 4, 11, 18, 25.
THURSDAY, MAY 15
Wissahickon Valley Hike. 6 mile hike. Hike on various trails to Valley Green Inn returning iaForbidden Drive. Meet at 10 am near Bruno's at the intersection of Germantown & Northwestern Aves. Bring water. Steady rain will cancel. If in doubt, call leader before 9 am the morning of the hike. Lunch possible afterwards. Info: Billy Neuman, 215-885-5639 or hikerbilly34@webtv.net.
FRIDAY, MAY 23
Wissahickon Friday Night Hike. 4 mile moderate pace hike. Meet at 6 pm at the intersection of Germantown & Northwestern Aves. for hike along the scenic Wissahickon Creek. Optional dinner at local eatery after hike. Info: Cliff Hence, 215-247-3559 or cw henceiii@aol.com.
MONDAY, MAY 26
Wissahickon Memorial Day Hike. 7 mile moderate pace hike. Meet at 10 am at the intersection of Germantown and Northwestern Aves. for hike into the Wissahickon Gordge. optional lunch after hike. Heavy rain cancels. Info: Cliff Hence, 215-247-3559 or cw henceiii@aol.com.
THURSDAY, JUNE 12
Wissahickon Valley Hike. 6 mile hike. Hike on various trails to Valley Green Inn returning via Forbidden Drive. Meet at 10 am near Bruno's at the intersection of Germantown & Northwestern Aves. Bring water. Steady rain will cancel. If in doubt, all leader before 9 am the morning of the hike. Lunch possible afterwards. Info: Billy Neuman, 215-885-5639 or hikerbilly34@webtv.net.
SATURDAY, MAY 3
South Wissahickon Creek Gorge Loop. Depart from Henry Ave. & Walnut Lane parking lot at 9:30 am (Septa 32 bus from Center City & 65 bus from 69th Street & Germantown areas both stop at Henry & Walnut). We will the see Walnut Lane Bridge, Lover's Leap, Bluestone Bridge, Historic Rittenhouse Town, Mom Rinker's Rock & "Toleration," Fingerspan, Livezy House, Devil's Pool, & Shakespeare Rock. Wear sturdy footwear for rocky terrain. Bring lunch & water. 8 to 9 miles. Cost: $0.75. Leader: Jerry Goldstein, 609-859-8133, jerryhyker@yahoo.com.
TUESDAY, MAY 20
Moonlight Hike, Andorra Natural Area and Upper Wissahickon. Depart from Germantown & Northwestern Avenues at 7:00 pm. Join us for an evening hike in one of our familiar but favorite hiking spots.The views are beautiful from the wide-open fields. From the Andorra area, we will hike the upper trails along the Wissahickon, then return by the carriage road. Rain cancels. 5 miles. Cost: $0.75. Leader: Mike Hughes, 215-657-1058, deecrismel@verizon.net.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Moonlight Hike, Andorra Natural Area & Upper Wissahickon. Depart from Germantown & Northwestern Avenues at 7:00 pm. Join us for an evening hike in one of our familiar but favorite hiking spots. The views are beautiful from the wide-open fields. From the Andorra area, we will hike the upper trails along the Wissahickon, then return by the carriage road. Rain Cancels. 5 miles. Cost: $0.75. Leader: Mike Hughes, 215-657-1058, deecrismel@verizon.net.
THURSDAY, MAY 8
Spring Bird Walk. 8-10 am. Meet at Forbidden Drive and Bell's Mill Road. Leaders: Steve awrence, Richard Berman, and Robin Mattison of FOW, and Debbie Carr of Fairmount Park. Info: Steve Lawrence at 215-233-4447 or StephenRLawrence@verizon.net.
THURSDAY, MAY 15
Spring Bird Walk in Carpenter's Woods.. 8-10 am. Meet at Ellet Street entrance. Leaders: Steve Lawrence, Richard Berman, and Robin Mattison of FOW, and Debbie Carr of Fairmount Park. Info: Steve Lawrence at 215-233-4447 or StephenRLawrence@verizon.net.
TUESDAY, MAY 20
Spring Bird Walk to Andorra Meadow. 6-8 pm. Meet at Wissahickon Environmental Center at 5:30 pm for light refreshments before the sunset walk. Leaders: Steve Lawrence, Richard Berman, and Robin Mattison of FOW, and Trish Fries and Megan garlat of Fairmount Park. Info: Steve Lawrence at 215-233-4447 or StephenRLawrence@verizon.net.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
Spring Walk in the Wissahickon. 10 a.m.. - 12:30 p.m. Meet experienced hike leader Sid Goldstein at Valley Green Inn to explore the hills and valleys above Forbidden Drive. Participants should be ready to walk steadily for 2-3 hours at a moderate pace. Wear good walking shoes. Some trails may be steep, rocky, or muddy. Bring water and rain gear if needed. Children with sufficient stamina are welcome. Possible lunch with guide after walk. Cost: $15 adults; $7.50 children w/adult. See MALT website for complete event iinfo.: www.mtairylearningtree.org.
SUNDAYS. Wissahickon Valley Hike with the William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community (LGBT) Group sponsors a 2 to 3 hour hike every Sunday afternoon. Meet at 2 p.m. at Borders Book Store in Chestnut Hill. Bring water. For information contact Joe at 856-767-8938
or joehagenmayer@yahoo.com. Next hikes: March 2, 9, 16, 23.
EVERY SATURDAY
Wissahickon Wanderers Fun Run with Shawmont Running Club. Starts 8:00 a.m. (7:30 am beginning 6/01/08) at the end of Forbidden Drive/Northwestern Ave. Distances ar at the discretion of runners. All levels. Emphasis is on fun! Info: www.wanderersrunningclub.org or shawmontrunningclub.com.
SATURDAYS. HIKE ON TRAILS NOT OFTEN TRODDEN. The Sierra Club regularly
sponsors a hike on the last Saturday of each month, hiking different trails. Lunch to follow at a local spot. Meet at 10 a.m. at Hill House in Chestnut Hill. Contact Sidney Goldstein for details at 215-247-4459 or sg@mrbasketball.net. Next hike: March 29.
SATURDAY, MAY 24
Valley Green. 4-8 miles. Meet at 1:15 pm at Germantown and Rex Avenues. For info., contact 215-424-8510 or visit http://www.phila.gov/recreation/parks/Wanderlust.html.
EVERY THURSDAY
Wissahickon Wanderers Trail Run. 4-5 miles. Starts 6:30 p.m. at Valley Green Inn. For details call 215-849-9080 or visit www.wanderersrunningclub.org.
EVERY SATURDAY
Wissahickon Wanderers Fun Run with Shawmont Running Club. Starts 8:00 a.m. (7:30 am beginning 6/01/08) at the end of Forbidden Drive/Northwestern Ave. Distances ar at the discretion of runners. All levels. Emphasis is on fun! Info: www.wanderersrunningclub.org or shawmontrunningclub.com.
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Volunteer Opportunites in the Wissahickon
Sierra Club sponsors monthly trail work party from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For details and place to meet, call Sidney Goldstein at 215-247-4459, or e-mail
sg@mrbasketball.net , or visit www.mrbasketball.net/hike/hike.html .
Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV) will lead a service project from 10 a.m. to noon as part of their on-going reforestation activities. Project details and directions to the worksite will be posted on the WRV website
(http://wissahickon.patrails.org ) at least one week prior to the event. For information and to RSVP, contact WRV at 215-951-0330 x201 or wrv.info@rhd.org.
Friends of the Wissahickon and Fairmount Park Commission sponsor trail repairs and other field work from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at various locations throughout the Park. For more information, contact Kevin Groves at 215-247-0417 or groves@fow.org. Click here for information on the next work day.
Friends of the Wissahickon and Fairmount Park Commission sponsor vine removal at various locations throughout the Park from 10 am to noon. Help rescue our mature trees and preserve recent plantings. Call Jake Michael at 610-918-0775 for details.
Friends of the Wissahickon and Fairmount Park Commission sponsor vine
removal at various locations throughout the Park from 10 a.m. to noon . Help rescue our mature trees and preserve recent plantings. Call Jake Michael at 610-918-0775 for details.
Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association leads a work day sponsored by FOW. This work day focuses on sustainable trail restoration at various locations throughout the park from 9 amto 2 pm. For more information, visit www.phillymtb.com or contact Kevin Groves at 215-247-0417 or groves@fow.org. Click here for more information about the next workday.
Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers (WRV) will lead a service project from 10 a.m. – noon as part of their on-going reforestation activities. Project details and
directions to the worksite will be posted on the WRV website
(http://wissahickon.patrails.org ) at least one week prior to the event. For information and to RSVP, contact WRV at 215-951-0330 x201 or wrv.info@rhd.org. (Day of event: calll Ron at 215-483-4348.)
Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers repair and build structures in the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you are handy with tools and like to build, call Ed Stainton at 215-247-2763.
Wissahickon Service Projects ( September through May) 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Join Chestnut Hill Academy and Crefeld School – something new every week. Friends of the Wissahickon and Fairmount Park Commission. Call David Bower at 215-685-2189 for information.
Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers rebuild dry stone wall in the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you like to work with stones, call Dan Mercer at 215-280-0441.
Friends of the Wissahickon volunteers do repairs within the Wissahickon from 9:00 am to 1 pm. If you would like to help, call Ed Stainton at 215-247-2763.
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Activities at Historic RittenhouseTown
Historic RittenhouseTown (HRT) offers classes, workshops and events for individuals and families to learn about the craft of hand papermaking and other spects of Colonial life at the original Rittenhouse Family Homestead. HRT is located on Lincoln Drive at Rittenhouse Street . For information, call 215-438-5711; e-mail HistRitTwn@aol.com , or visit www.rittenhousetown.org.
Historic RittenhouseTown's Semi-Annual Flea Market. 9 am to 2 pm. Find treasures new and old at our semi-annual flea market. To rent a space or for moreiinformation, contact Ariel Wilson, Director of Education and Program Development at 215-438-5711 or awilson@rittenhousetown.org.
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Activities at the Wissahickon Environmental Center
The Wissahickon Environmental Center (WEC) at Andorra Natural Area (Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Ave.) offers the following activities to teach individuals about the natural world. Registration is required for all programs. Unless otherwise noted, all programs are FREE, meet atthe Tree House, and last approximately 90
minutes. For information and registration, phone 215-685-9285 or email patricia.fries@phila.gov.
Spring Wildflower Walk. 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Hike along Forbidden Drive and through the forest of Andorra Natural Area to discover spring wildflowers such as spring beauties, wild ginger, trout lilies, and more.
Bat House Workshop. 2:00-4:00pm. Learn about the benefits of the insect eating bats that inhabit Pennsylvania and learn how to build a bat box. This hands-on workshop, in partnership with the Friends of the Wissahickon Wildlife Committee, will teach you how to construct bat boxes to be placed throughout the Wissahickon Valley. Plans and directions will also be provided to build a bat box of your own at home. Adults.
Spring Full Moon Hike. 8:30-10:00 pm. This program will take the adventurous into the forest by the light of the full moon. We’ll search for animal signs, listen for nighttime noises, and then enjoy marshmallows around a campfire.
Andorra Nursery History Walk. 2:00- 3:30 pm. Learn about the history of the Andorra Natural area from the time it was a farm through its days as the largest nursery on the east coast to its present as part of Fairmount Park. We’ll search for clues of its past lives– stone roads, a root cellar, and trees left from the nursery.
Ages 10 and up.
Phishing in Philly. 9:00-11:00 am. Visit the Wissahickon Creek to learn about life under water and discover how you can help keep Philadelphia’s streams clean. Join us for a fishing lesson to learn more about casting and the bait the local fish prefer. With rod & reel fishing poles, we’ll attempt to catch and release some fish from the creek. Children ages 6-15.
As part of FOW’s Protect Our Watershed series, The Wissahickon Environmental Center staff is available to deliver a FREE presentation about watershed issues to your organization. Learn how you can play a role in cleaning up the waterways near your home. Call for information.
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