As the calendar winds to a close and we look forward to a new year, I would like to reflect on 2017 and be thankful for all that the Friends of the Wissahickon community is doing to preserve our beautiful Wissahickon Valley Park for years to come. 

Here are some highlights of our ongoing work that will have a positive impact on everyone: 

• The Summit Avenue Trail reroute project is well under way, with more than 1,500 feet of trail being restored. You may have seen us busy with professional contractors, volunteer trail-building crews and supporters like you, all of whom share a passion for helping us keep the Wissahickon safe and accessible. This reroute and restoration, which features a bike spur and wet stream crossing, will improve drainage and decrease erosion.
• Through our Little Friends of the Wissahickon program, FOW is partnering with Philadelphia public elementary schools to reach the youngest explorers, introducing them to Wissahickon Valley Park and nurturing their awareness and love for it. The program includes in-class and in-park visits, and each Little Friend who participates gets a trail map of the Wissahickon and a copy of the “Goodnight Wissahickon Valley Park” book.
• In the coming year, you’ll see evidence of our commitment to making the Wissahickon safe and sustainable for the visitors of today and tomorrow through our major work on Forbidden Drive. The drive has collapsed in three sections to half its original width; FOW has invested more than $1 million in major planning and design for repairs. In 2018, as construction begins to restore these collapses, we’ll look proactively at the whole of Forbidden Drive to address possible future collapse sites and restore our drinkable waterway.

This may be the season of giving, but our many friends have extended their generosity all year long, for which we are grateful. You are an integral part of our continuing efforts to preserve the Wissahickon and educate community members about our park’s many gifts. We invite you to join us in keeping this unique natural retreat vital for generations onward. If you’re not a member, please consider becoming one this holiday season; visit fow.org to learn more.

Speaking of gifts, if you’re looking for fresh ideas, a membership in FOW makes a great present, with benefits to enjoy in every season. Visit fow.org for more information. We also have some great Wissahickon-centric items, including our annual calendar, T shirts, books, maps and more at shop.fow.org. 

On behalf of all of us at Friends of the Wissahickon, we wish you and yours a joyous, healthy and peaceful holiday season.