Wissahickon Trails

Yesterday we went back to the Wissahickon. We all agreed that it was not the BEST experience, but we got a good understanding of the disadvantages of the trail route we took. It was very steep, rocky, muddy and unpaved. It was difficult to hike, and it lacked sufficient signage. We saw how a user of the park could easily get lost there. Here are some suggestions that we think would improve the trail:

- Trashcans/ Recycling bins along the trail

- Signs (trail markers, caution & wildlife info)

- Benches for resting

- Hand rails (for difficult areas)

- Maps of the trail along the trail

We visited several landmarks including Hermit Cave. It was a small hutch that a small religious group (cult) hid in to protect themselves from the end of the world. The hutch was small, dark, and smelled really bad. One notable feature in the cave was that there was a white cross on the back wall. Another landmark we saw was the 'I wish I was Fishin'/Flowers memorial. We think it was a memorial for someone who died in the park. Lover's Leap was another place we went to. It was basically a cliff overlooking Lincoln Drive. We passed by a golf course too. That's where we took a rest, and watched people play for a little while.

**Photo courtesy of ushistory.org

Katrina Tempest in Crecent City

The following link will direct you to a game that Laura showed us on Wednesday that went along with the movie about Hurricane Katrina. Enjoy :)
http://tempestincrescentcity.ning.com/game

Wissahickon Valley

For About 1 1/2 centuries, the Wissahickon Valley has been considered a hot spot. It offers tourists the only red covered bridge in a major city. By wandering upper trails you see the Indian And Toleration statues in the craggy gorge walls. Valley Green Inn since the 1850s has been a place to dine. Wissahickon is known for having the city's first drinking fountain. Wisshickon Valley has also, for years, harbored beautiful scenery that tourists are interested in seeing.

Courtesy of http://www.fairmountpark.org/WissahickonValleyPark.asp

-Quan man

Trail markers and Erosion at Fairmount park.

While we were at Fairmount Park, there were many trail makers around. We also saw many areas along the creek that suffered from erosion. This erosion was caused by floods that damaged the soil over time. Most of the trail markers around the park, that we saw, pertained to pedestrians or hikers on foot. They also had help markers if you got lost. These would allow you to call park officials and they would know where you were according to the number on the marker. The signage and trail makers in the park were good but we think that more signs could be added and placed in better areas.

By M.B

Wissahickon Valley Park

After taking part in the walk through half of Wissahickon Valley Park, I have been opened to a different environment to my city I call my own. After walking through the park, I had many questions and concerns that I took into my own hands to do research on, some that maybe even people that are reading this particular blog will be interested in. Did you ever think what goes on in these special parks? Why they are recognized and labeled "Special" over many other Parkways? Well here goes some insight onto what Wissahickon Valley Means to Philadelphia.
Wissahickon Valley park is one of the largest city parks in the world, that stretches 1,800 acres which is a part of Philadelphia's 9,200-acre Fairmount Park, alone the Wissahickon Creek runs through its entire seven-mile lengh. The park extends from Chestnut Hill in the north to Manayunk in the southwest. The friends of the Wissahickon, FOW, which is a non-profit organization, has been giving back, dedicated to working and advocating for the park since 1924. Nevertheless, FOW is one of the oldest and largest of more than 80 Friends of Park groups in Philadelphia. They also conserve the forrest and creek, restore trails, and preserves the Park's historical structure for the Fairmount Park as well.

After learning new things more about the Wissahickon Valley Park makes me appreciate it more when I drive by it, knowing the information I know.

-Natasha Connor

Vegetation

During the time I spent in the park yesterday, I noticed that men were working in the park removing plants growing alongside the river. They said it was poison ivy and they had to take it out because it was taking over the land and kept the other plants from growing. The men also said that having the plants there was hazardous to pedestrians because people could hide in the vegetation and jump out and mug people.
-Barbie <3

This Week:

Monday: We listened to a woman who talked about the advantages of Twitter. She explained how to use it and how to get people to follow us, and how to draw attention to our blog. We also got to mess around with google sketch up. We made models of either our bedroom, dream bedroom, or dream house. It was fun, and we'd like to work with sketch up again.
Tuesday: We took the R6 to Wissahickon and Kevin took us on a tour through the park. We walked up the trail, while Kevin explained how the park was eroding.
Wednesday: We watched a movie called When the Levees Broke. It was about hurricane Katrina and its devastating effects on the city of New Orleans. It was sad to see how so many people died because the government hadn't taken immediate action to help the victims of the "natural" disaster.
Thursday: We took another trip to the Wissahickon Park and walked down Kelly Drive. Dr. Masucci, Sadie and Lily toured us through the park pointing out several things that could be improved to make the park be more accessible to the parks users.