Recent Accomplishments
Trail Ambassadors
Congratulations to new Trail Ambassadors!
Class of Spring 2013
Erin Bendig
May Dominic
Maureen Flanagan
Fran Gilmore
Natalia Grindlinger
John Holback
Michael Kopena
Kara Markley
Jennifer Parker
John Perry
Ambassador Fall 2013 Application Deadline: Friday, August 16, 2013
Trail Ambassadors are now gearing up for a busy Spring and Summer. Make sure you say hello if you see a Trail Ambassador on the trail!
Chainsaw Training
October 3 and 4
Crew leader training continued in October with 5 crew leaders receiving certifications to use chainsaws in the park. The training was offered to select volunteers and was taught by Ben Parsons from FISTA (Forest Industry Safety and Training Alliance). Ben was a great instructor and his enthusiasm for safe and efficient use of chainsaws made for an enjoyable class. Thanks go to the following volunteers Dave Dannenberg, Dmitri Zorine, Chuck Kirkland, Kenn Rymdeko, and Kevin Kramer for attending the event. The training was also attended by four members of Philadelphia Water Department and 10 employees of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation.
Harpers Meadow cleanup
October 3rd, 10th, and 17th
Volunteers from Abington High School, Episcopal Academy, and the Crefeld School worked to clear an area of Harpers Meadow behind Northwestern Stables. The students removed chunks of concrete, concrete fence posts, dispersed fallen trees, and removed other trash. A total of 7 pickup truck loads of trash was removed.
Fall Planting Days
October 6th and 13th
We had two fall planting events in October to increase the number of plantings in recently filled in gullies at Bluebell Hill and Kitchens Lane. Thanks go to planting crew leaders Kevin Kramer and John Cassidy. A special thanks goes to Wendy Willard for choosing appropriate locations within the gully to plant particular species of plants. Over 220 trees and shrubs were planted during the two work days.
November 11th - Planting at Cresheim Creek in partnership with REI, PPR and PWD
Volunteers planted 50 trees and shrubs next to a bridge built by PWD along with over 100 willow stakes along the banks of the Cresheim Creek. This work replaced plantings damaged during Irene and Lee. Special thanks to planting crew leaders John Cassidy and Kevin Kramer as well as volunteers from Montco, REI, and the local community.
Hurricane Sandy Cleanup
October 31 through November 4, 2012
68 volunteers and 262 hours
The cleanup began shortly after the storm ended. On Wednesday October 31 students from the Crefeld School helped clean up Carpenters Woods and volunteers, Kevin Kramer and Ben Dunphey, cleared the Lavender Trail system. Crew leaders Nick Uniatowski, Dmitri Zorine, and Chuck Uniatowski spent all day Thursday clearing fallen trees on the Yellow Trail.
The Saturday work day was attended by 33 volunteers and there were four crews working at various locations in the park. Thanks to Kevin Kramer, Dave Dannenberg, Dmitri Zorine, Chuck Kirkland, and Kenn Rymdeko for leading work crews.
On Sunday November 4 volunteers, Dana Randall, Heidi Grunwald, Dave Dannenberg, Kenn Rymdeko, and Chuck Kirkland continued to clear trees in the park.