FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Erin Mooney, Publicist
267.788.2196
mooney@fow.org
Friends of the Wissahickon Schedules September Walks in the Park
Philadelphia, PA—(September 2014) Enjoy September in the Wissahickon, when Friends of the
Wissahickon (FOW) Trail Ambassadors are offering free hikes in Wissahickon Valley Park.
Trail Ambassador Walks
Registration is recommended for all hikes so that participants can be informed of weather or
other emergency cancellations. Unless otherwise specified, Trail Ambassador hikes may use
rocky, rugged trails that may be wet and slippery. Wear sturdy shoes or boots with socks. Long
pants are recommended for protection against occasional poison ivy and possible ticks. Bring
water and a snack if desired. Unless otherwise noted, children over seven years old are
welcome if accompanied by a responsible adult. Walks are cancelled in heavy rain. For more
information or to register, contact Sarah Marley at marley@fow.org. For updates, go to
www.fow.org.
To the Top of Both Ridges with Bruce Wagner
Saturday, September 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Meet at the Cedars House at the upper end of Forbidden Drive and Northwestern Ave.
The east ridge above the Wissahickon (the Chestnut Hill side) and the west ridge (towards
Roxborough) top have surprisingly different forests. We’ll take a 3.5 mile stroll reaching both
ridgetops and enjoying how different the terrain is and how different Wissahickon Creek looks
from both sides. We’ll be using gradual trails at a leisurely pace to reach each ridge. Wear
sturdy boots or shoes. Bring at least one liter of water. Children, accompanied by a responsible
adult, are welcome.
Butterfly Walk in Andorra Natural Area with Kris Soffa
Wednesday, September 10, from 9 to 11 a.m.
Meet at upper parking lot of The Tree House (Wissahickon Environmental Center) reached
from Northwestern Avenue off Ridge Pike.
Explore the gorgeous (bike free) trails in the northwestern corner of the Wissahickon Valley
Park: Forest Loop, Meadow Loop and Meadow Observation Loop. Join us to learn how to
identify common butterflies and fun facts about them as well as how to "go native" and attract
them to your home garden. Long pants, sturdy footwear, water, & camera
recommended. North American Butterfly Association & butterfly cultural requirements
discussed.
Welcome Fall by Exploring Woods and Meadows with Kimberly Quinn
Sunday, September 14, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Meet at Cedars House at Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive
Welcome fall with a hike to the Andorra Natural Area behind Cedars House and the
Wissahickon Environmental Center. Visit the Fallen Magnolia, Great Beech, Retention Pond,
Black Farm Ruins, and Observation Loop. Then circle around to Bells Mill Rd onto Forbidden
Drive and return to Cedars House. Estimated 3 miles. Wear good shoes. Bring binoculars,
cameras, and water! Children 8+ with a responsible adult. Level: Moderate
Creepy Crawlies with Barbara Berman
Sunday, September 21, from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Meet at the Tree House (Wissahickon Environmental Center) upper parking lot reached from
Northwestern Avenue off Ridge Pike.
Do you love bugs or get grossed out by them? Join me for a walk where we will catch bugs and I
will explain some interesting facts about them in an effort to make them not so icky. We will
catch bugs and lift up some bug boards and see what we can find. Wear sturdy shoes and bring
along a bug net if you have one. Family event, but best for kids 4 and up. Moderate terrain.
Meanderings in the Wissahickon with Shelly Brick
Sunday, September 21, at 3 p.m.
Meet at Chestnut Hill and Seminole avenues.
Come to enjoy our park and “talk story”, a Hawaiian tradition. Pace will be set by the
group. Children welcome. Don’t forget water and sturdy footwear.
Moth Night in Andorra Natural Area with Kris Soffa
Tuesday, September 23, from 8 to 10 p.m.
Meet at The Tree House (Wissahickon Environmental Center), on Northwestern Avenue.
Join us to learn about these nighttime beauties and the moth database registry. Learn how to
best observe moths in your home garden, how to construct a simple moth trap, and how to set
up UV light lures. Learn the secret recipe for "B3 Moth Bait."Bring: flashlights & camera.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes. Be prepared to walk quietly on the trails and woods in the
dark. Suitable for children over 10 years old with a responsible adult.
Woodmere Hikes - Understanding the Wissahickon with Merritt Rhoad
Saturday, September 27, 10 a.m.
Meet at Northwestern Avenue and Forbidden Drive.
We will proceed along Forbidden Drive to Bell's Mill Road, then cross to the Orange Trail and on
up to the White Trail where we will visit Tedysucung. Then back across the Wissahickon to
Forbidden Drive and the Red Covered Bridge. Finish at Northwestern Avenue. We will cover
some geology, geography, history, water problems, climb along a beautiful series of
waterfalls, find garnets, discuss mill history, and visit two of popular subjects of paintings and
photography. Distance three miles and some moderate difficulty.
This hike is being offered to celebrate the new exhibition of renowned landscape painter
Walter Elmer Schofield (1867-1944) entitled Schofield: International Impressionist (September
18 to January 25) at the Woodmere Art Museum. Schofield’s large scenes of the Wissahickon
won numerous prestigious prizes and are in the collections of major institutions across the
United States.
Join FOW as we celebrate our 90th anniversary with a year-long schedule of special events. For
more information, go to: www.fow.org/90thcelebration. Follow FOW on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information or to become a member, visit www.fow.org
Friends of the Wissahickon: Celebrating 90 Years—Countless Friends
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