FOW Celebrates 95 Years with Super Mega Service Day

by 
Maura McCarthy, Executive Director, Friends of the Wissahickon

Click the map for a larger version.

The service days take place simultaneously from 9 a.m.-noon at the following locations throughout the park:

  • Ten Box and Historic Rittenhouse Town: Meet at the Upper Lot at Historic Rittenhouse Town.
  • Ridge Avenue Trailhead: Meet at the Philadelphia Canoe Club.
  • Blue Bell Hill: Meet at the Blue Bell Picnic Pavilion.
  • Saylor’s Grove: Meet at Wissahickon Avenue and W. Rittenhouse Street.
  • Wigard Avenue Trailhead: Meet at Wigard Avenue off Henry Avenue.
  • Mt. Airy Avenue Trailhead: Meet at West Mt. Airy Avenue and Mt. Airy Terrace.
  • Lavender Trail and Covered Bridge: Meet at the Crefeld Street Trailhead.
  • Wissahickon Environmental Center: Meet at the upper parking lot on Northwestern Avenue (Roxborough side).
  • Bells Mill (East and West): Meet at Bells Mill Road and Forbidden Drive.
  • Houston Meadow: Meet at Courtesy Stables.

For more information about individual locations and to register, visit fow.org/supermega. FOW partner organizations or businesses interested in supporting FOW’s Super Mega Volunteer Service Day are invited to contact Sarah Marley at marley@fow.org.

This year, Friends of the Wissahickon marks 95 years of stewardship of Wissahickon Valley Park and celebrates an era of the organization’s transformation. Founded in 1924 when a group of concerned citizens came together in response to a damaging winter storm, FOW was able to raise thousands of dollars over the next decade to plant native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers in the park.

Nearly a century later, this legacy of civic responsibility and environmental activism continues, with FOW working to ensure that the beauty and history of this extraordinary resource will remain for generations to come. The once-small group of concerned citizens has evolved into a vibrant, engaged community of members and friends more than 3,000 strong — and still growing.

At the core of FOW’s many accomplishments since our founding have been our remarkable volunteers. Last year, 1,100 volunteers donated more than 12,300 hours in conservation and educational initiatives throughout Wissahickon Valley Park and surrounding communities. From Trail Ambassadors leading hikes, to the Sawyers Crew clearing fallen trees, FOW’s vital volunteer presence can be seen and felt everywhere.

That will certainly be true at FOW’s 95th Anniversary Super Mega Volunteer Service Day on Saturday, June 1. In celebration of this milestone anniversary, we will be teaming up with community partners at 10 different trailheads to make the park entrances more beautiful and welcoming for all visitors. We’ll be cleaning up trash and recycling, removing invasive plants and planting native trees and flowers. Join us for this hands-on opportunity to help beautify your favorite section of the Wissahickon.