Throughout July, August, and September, the Friends of the Wissahickon will be working on the Early Implementation phase of their Sustainable Trails Initiative.

STI is a three-phased, multi-year project to make the 57 miles of National Recreation Trails in the Wissahickon a physically and socially sustainable system that works for all park users.

The project is being organized by the Friends of the Wissahickon in partnership with the Fairmount Park Commission and project consultants from the International Mountain Bicycling Association Trail Solutions Team.

The Early Implementation Trail entails complete reconstruction, partial re-routing, and replanting of one mile of the lower trail on the East (Chestnut Hill) side of Wissahickon Creek between Bells Mills Road and Thomas Mill Road (the covered bridge). (Full implementation would involve 4-5 miles of trail.)

In conjunction with work on the trail itself and planting along the trail corridor, prototypes of the new trail blazing, signage, and information kiosks will be installed. In addition, a handicap accessible parking place will be created in the lot opposite the trailhead and a handicap accessible trail section from Bells Mills Road to the Pavilion will be improved.

Volunteers are needed and must register with Volunteer Coordinator Kevin Groves at 215-247-0417 or by sending email to: groves@fow.org .

For more information, visit the Sustainable Trails Initiative webpage.

7/18/2008