The Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) is partnering with REI Conshohocken and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) for a Planting Day at Cresheim Creek on Sunday, October 28, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will plant native plants along a portion of Cresheim Creek near the Telner/St. Martin's Bridge that was recently restored through a joint effort by the Philadelphia Water Department and PPR.

The original stone bridge at the site was destroyed by storms in 2004. PWD built a new bridge in 2011 and planted native shrubs and plants on the banks of Cresheim Creek. Necessary repairs to the bridge earlier this year resulted in a loss of vegetation at the site that volunteers will replace during the Planting Day with natives donated by PPR.

Volunteers Needed for Planting Day

To register, contact FOW Volunteer Coordinator Dan Mercer at mercer@fow.org.  Volunteers should wear
clothes suitable for outdoor work and sturdy boots. The terrain at the site is mildly steep, but easy to traverse with proper shoes. FOW will provide tools, gloves, water, coffee, and a light snack. Volunteers will be given a brief description of the project and a lesson on proper planting technique before being organized into work groups.

Directions: Meet at the Telner/St. Martin's Bridge across Cresheim Creek. Parking is available along the access road located at the end of St. Martin's Lane. Follow the access road downhill to the project site. Link to map showing work location at http://goo.gl/maps/a95n2

Cancellation: Workdays are cancelled in the event of steady rain, extreme high temperatures, or thunderstorms. Visit FOW's Facebook page or website for updates: http://fow.org/volunteering/upcoming-workdays.

About Friends of the Wissahickon

The Friends of the Wissahickon, founded in 1924, is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the Wissahickon
Valley. FOW works in partnership with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation to restore historical structures throughout the park, eliminate invasive plant species, monitor watershed management issues, and restore trails throughout the Wissahickon Valley Park with its Sustainable Trails Initiative. Follow FOW on
Facebook and Twitter. For more information or to become a member, visit www.fow.org.