The mission of the Friends of the Wissahickon is to preserve the natural beauty and wildness of the Wissahickon Valley and stimulate public interest therein.
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Crime Alert: Attempted Assault
On Monday, April 11, at approximately 8:20am, a female jogger was attacked on the Orange Trail near Devil's Pool and succesfully escaped the attacker after a struggle. For the official police bulletin, click here.
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A Reminder On Park Safety
With the warmer weather and longer days, FOW would like to remind park users of these general tips that can help make their experiences in the park safer:
Park users should exercise with a partner whenever possible; if exercising alone, try to avoid using the park during off-peak times.
Be alert! Don’t jog with headphones. It’s not only unsafe from the perspective of crime prevention, but you won’t hear bicyclists behind you or other potential problems. (You also won’t hear songbirds or the gurgling of the creek.)
Vary your routine. If you always start your run at Valley Green at 6 a.m., try going to Bell’s Mill Road or Kitchen’s Lane once or twice a week.
Trust your instincts. There’s a sense of isolation from the city in the park that has a lot of appeal. If you sense trouble in a person or a place, leave.
When you park your car, lock your doors; carry your keys with you; and do not leave wallets, cell phones or other valuables in plain sight in your car.
The Friends of the Wissahickon is the oldest and largest of the nonprofit, volunteer groups active in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park system. For over eighty-five years we have been stewards of Wissahickon Valley Park, the beautiful northern stretch of Fairmount Park. Our members maintain and preserve trails and historic structures, care for native plant and animal species, and protect the watershed.
