Sustainable Trails Initiative
The Sustainable Trails Initiative is a three-phase commitment by the Friends of the Wissahickon to help make the 57 miles of National Recreation Trails in the Wissahickon an environmentally and socially sustainable system that works for everybody. For more information, click here.
Volunteers Make a Difference
From July 30 through August 10, FOW, the Trails Solutions Team, and volunteers took part in a demonstration trail project in the Wissahickon showcasing a variety of sustainable, shared-use techniques. Demonstration project volunteers were trained by professionals to assist in building, restoring, and maintaining shared-use sustainable trails. For information on upcoming volunteer workdays, go to Volunteer Projects.
Phase II--Planning a Sustainable Wissahickon Trail System
FOW has completed Phase I of the Sustainable Trails Initiative and is now working on Phase II. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has provided the primary funding for Phase II of the project. Jill Van Winkle and Chris Bernhardt of the Trails Solution team worked throughout April 2006 reviewing and mapping the existing trails and identifying better routes for the core trails that run the length of the park. They provided a proposal for improving these trails for FOW, the Fairmount Park Commission, and public review that includes rebuilding, closing, and rerouting sections of trail.
Tell Us What You Think
Two maps explaining the Sustainable Trails Initiative and depicting proposed changes to the core trail corridors are available for public review. These maps are also available in the warming sheds near Valley Green Inn, along with explanations, and at FOW's Office (8708 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19118).
To view the maps, click on htttp://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=95282505005.
This map shows how trail corridors were assessed by the consultant team in 2004, and updated in 2006. (See 2004 Consultants’ Report for further information on the consultants’ work.)
This map shows the existing trails and proposed corridor of the core trails, as well as the proposed routes of most linear trails, but excluding most access trails and hike-only trails in the Andorra Natural Area, the Lavender Trail, and Carpenters Woods.
Public Meetings
The Friends of the Wissahickon hosted two public forums in March 2007 to learn what park users think about the Sustainable Trails Initiative. Maura McCarthy, Executive Director of FOW, welcomed participants and introduced speakers. Mark Focht, Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Commission (FPC), explained the history of trails planning work in Wissahickon Valley Park. Dave Dannenberg, Co-Chair of FOW’s Conservation Committee, described FOW’s work leading up to the present. And Jill Van Winkle of IMBA Trail Solutions, a non-profit firm with expertise in planning and building sustainable multi-use trails, used a power point demonstration to explain the nature of sustainable trails—how good design makes them safer and accommodates different park users while reducing erosion and maintenance requirements.
A lively crowd of more than 80 people expressed appreciation for the presentations and raised thoughtful questions and offered suggestions. Participants studied the large scale maps of the current trail system and the proposed realignments. Many signed up to join in demonstration trail building efforts scheduled for early August 2007.
Click here to view the Questions and Answers from the Public Forums.
Click here to view the maps and find out more about the Sustainable Trails Initiative.
Phase III – Implementing the Plans (2007-2008)
This is where all the Wissahickon trail stakeholders come in. FOW will acquire equipment and train volunteers to help the FPC with the heavy lifting. We’ll work with the Delaware Valley Mountain Bike Patrol and others to educate trail users. We’ll design and install new and better signage. And we’ll work with the FPC to prioritize trail improvement work.
Making a Great Trail System Even Better
The Sustainable Trails Initiative will cost more than $140,000. We won’t even guess the cost of Phase III. Investing in the Wissahickon Valley Park trails is a community initiative, and FOW looks toward the community for support through their membership dues and volunteer efforts.
For more information about how you can help with the Sustainable Trails Initiative, please contact the FOW office at 215-247-0417, volunteer to help, or make a donation. You can also email office@fow.org.
Interested parties can review the work completed so far in connection with this project, by reading the following:
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