Progress Made - Yesterday's Cleanest Day Since 2020.

We are grateful to the Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Philadelphia Police Department - who over the weekend of August 14th - 16th - conducted a widespread coordinated effort to patrol Wissahickon Valley Park, with particular focus on key areas such as the Devil's Pool. 

Park Ranger presence was noticeably increased, and police were stationed at key entry and exit points.  Party-goers were informed of park rules, and fines and citations - most of which were summary offences - were issued as necessary.

Yesterday, 18th August, the Devil's Pool area of the Wissahickon Creek was perhaps the cleanest and quietest that it has been since prior to the pandemic in 2020.  This photograph was taken in the early afternoon.  Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Police Department continue to patrol the area, helping maintain this progress. 

Scattered groups of hikers passing through even commented on the beauty and serenity of the area.  One gentleman remarked that he "had not been able to enjoy [the area] in years." 

Volunteer groups had also been out to the Devil's Pool area throughout the weekend as well. While I do not know how much litter and trash they removed, our small group assisting the FOW on Tuesday, 18 August, for the Devil's Pool clean-up arrived to find minimal litter and garbage.  The area was unusually clean. 

At moments it felt as though our time had been wasted - there was almost no trash scattered across the area - but then the realization set in:  this is what volunteer experience should feel like.  Volunteers should not have to haul out over a dozen bags of garbage weekly. 

According to the FOW Annual Report, last year alone they removed 16 tons of trash from Wissahickon Vally Park.  Sixteen tons. The amount of garbage has been steadily increasing since the pandemic and the 2020 season, which marked the beginning of this years-long battle to Save The Wissahickon Creek. 

While the overwhelming support from the community, Parks & Rec, and the PPD has had an immediate and significant impact on the Wissahickon Valley Park - especially at the Devil's Pool - the fight to Save The Wissahickon Creek it far from over. We still have the bike race next weekend, Labor Day, (major party days) and the entire next summer season ahead of us.  During these events, the Police Department must prioritize citywide needs, limiting their ability to patrol Wissahickon Valley Park. 

In order to Save The Wissahickon Creek volunteers must be able to remove trash to prevent the area from becoming further polluted.  To maintain a safe and clean park, the large unlawful parties must end permanently. While the primary goals of our petition remain permanent signage, consistent Park Ranger presence, and enforcement of park rules and the law, we are grateful for the progress made thus far - and to both the Department of Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Police Department, who have taken this issue seriously as a matter of public health and safety. 

Please continue to share this petition and encourage residents of Philadelphia to stand in solidarity to Save The Wissahickon Creek.  Our voices are being heard, and we are making a difference.