Thank you PMBA!

The Philadelphia Mountain Biking Association (PMBA) raised over $1,500 for FOW's Sustainable Trails Initiative at its second annual Rally in the Valley.  PMBA works to promote trail access and coopera-tion between all user groups and helps main-tain the upper trails in the Wissahickon at its monthly Trail Maintenance Days. For more information on PMBA, click here.

Interview with FOW Board Member David Dannenberg

To read interview, click here.

FOW Volunteers Improve Drainage at Valley Green

The Friends of the Wissahickon are continuing their efforts to improve the area surrounding Valley Green Inn by making it more attractive and flood resistant. Working with the Philadelphia Water Department and the Fairmount Park Commission, a drainage ditch on the south side of Valley Green Inn has been constructed to divert stormwater away from the Inn and out toward Forbidden Drive.

New head wall at Valley Green Inn

In 2007, the Water Department attempted to run a pipe from the headwall, down the slope beside the Inn, and under Forbidden Drive, but an important drainage pipe under the road could not be disturbed. Shirley Gracie, Valley Green Oversight Committee Chair, discussed the problem with Ed Stainton, leader of the Structures Committee. He developed a solution and led several volunteers in building the drainage ditch: Rich Berman (Fort Washington), David Dannenberg (Mt. Airy), Dan Mercer (Fishtown), Brian Murphy (Mt. Airy), and Mike Sounders (Mt. Airy).

It took them a month to dig out the soil, position stones to slow the flow of water, build another head wall behind the Inn, and construct a sitting wall with large, flat rocks at the end of the ditch along Forbidden Drive. The result blends in well with its natural surroundings.

Dan Mercer, Shirley Gracie, and Ed Stainton enjoy

the new sitting rocks at Valley Green.