PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nonprofit conservation organization Friends of the Wissahickon is celebrating a century of service at Wissahickon Valley Park with a series of special events throughout the year, including a “party with a purpose” on Friday night.
The Friends group works with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department, the owner of the park, and draws private philanthropic support for priority projects.
Friends of the Wissahickon has more than 3,000 members and more than 1,000 regular volunteers “who really want to give back,” says Executive Director Ruffian Tittmann.
“Whether that might be through helping us pick up trash that inevitably makes its way into the forest or coming out to help clear trails, do restoration plantings, work on inventorying signs at the park, helping us fix some of the structures that are out there.”
The park has nearly 2,000 acres of urban forest and more than 50 miles of trails.
On Friday, May 10, at 6 p.m., FOW is throwing a “Backyard Bash” at the Valley Green Inn, located inside Wissahickon Valley Park. Catfish and waffles will be served.
Tittmann says tickets start at $50 and help support conservation efforts at the park — “and include the fun activities of the night. And food. Chestnut Hill Brewing is doing a signature beer for us that evening.”
FOW will hold its 15th annual Trail Classic, a 10k trail race or 1-mile nature walk, on June 1.
More information on these and other events can be found at FOW.org.