Help Shape the Future of the Wissahickon: Share Your Input by June 6

Wissahickon Valley Park is one of Philadelphia’s most treasured natural resources, welcoming more than two million visitors each year. Over time, flooding, erosion, and stormwater runoff have taken an increasing toll on the park, threatening water quality, trail safety, and recreational access.

To help protect and sustain this vital landscape and community resource, Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW), in partnership with Princeton Hydro, is conducting a comprehensive resiliency and flood study along Forbidden Drive and its seven adjacent access trails. One of the most important voices in this process is yours. A public survey is now open through June 6 to gather input on flooding, erosion, and trail conditions in these targeted areas. Your feedback will play a key role in shaping the study’s priorities and recommendations.

The new Streambank Resiliency and Flood Study builds upon the 2017 Forbidden Drive Drainage System Assessment and expands its focus to address ongoing challenges such as stormwater runoff, sediment discharge, streambank instability, and interior flooding along Forbidden Drive and its adjacent trails. As part of the study, Princeton Hydro is reassessing previously identified drainage features and conducting a comprehensive site evaluation to better understand how conditions have changed over time and where new problem areas have emerged.

The goal is to develop a clear, actionable plan that:

• Identifies and prioritizes areas most vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and sedimentation;
• Recommends restoration and stabilization measures that balance ecological health, recreational use, and long-term resilience;
• Provides a phased roadmap with cost estimates and visual materials to help FOW secure funding to implement priority projects; and
• Ultimately, improves water quality in Wissahickon Creek, enhances trail safety and accessibility, and protects natural ecosystems.

What We’ve Heard So Far

At the first public meeting earlier this month, community members played an active role in shaping the direction of the study. The session began with an overview of the project’s purpose, scope, and methodology, including preliminary findings on areas most vulnerable to flooding, sediment discharge, and streambank instability. Attendees also had the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the project team, helping to build a shared understanding of the challenges facing the park.

Following the presentation, participants took part in an interactive mapping exercise designed to gather site-specific knowledge from those who know the park best. Working in small groups around large, printed maps of the study area, attendees identified flood-prone zones, areas of active erosion, and locations where trail conditions have declined over time along Forbidden Drive and its access points. Participants marked up the maps and shared observations, stories, and ideas for potential restoration opportunities, creating a collaborative and hands-on dialogue about the park’s needs.

This exercise generated valuable, location-specific insight that is already informing the study. Participants highlighted:

• Sections of trails that frequently flood, even during moderate storms
• Areas where erosion is worsening year over year
• Locations where stormwater runoff has carved new gullies or damaged infrastructure
• Spots where trail conditions affect safety, accessibility, and overall user experience

In addition to identifying problem areas, attendees also shared perspectives on what makes the park special and where restoration efforts could have the greatest impact. This type of feedback is critical to ensuring the study reflects real-world conditions and community priorities. To ensure the most comprehensive understanding of conditions in the targeted areas, the project team is looking to hear from an even broader range of park users.

Your Perspective Is Critical. Take the Survey Today!

While engineers and scientists are conducting in-depth field investigations and comprehensive technical analyses, they do not experience the park in the same way as those who use it regularly. The firsthand perspective of park visitors is invaluable for identifying problem areas and guiding solutions and priorities that truly reflect how the park is used and experienced.

Whether you hike regularly, bike on weekends, volunteer, or simply visit occasionally, you have seen things others might not:

• Where does flooding linger after storms?
• Which trails are hardest to navigate?
• Where have you noticed erosion, exposed roots, or unstable slopes?
• What areas feel most important to preserve or improve?

The online public survey is designed to make it easy for anyone to contribute. Through the survey, you can:

• Pinpoint locations where you have observed flooding or erosion
• Share photos from your visits
• Describe how trail conditions affect your experience
• Suggest ideas for improvements or restoration
• Highlight areas that are especially meaningful to you

The survey is accessible on your phone, tablet, or computer and takes just a few minutes to complete.

Click here to take the survey before the June 6 deadline. Your voice matters, and your input will help shape the future of the Wissahickon.

• Environmental Action
• Environmental Education
• Flood Mitigation
• Natural Resource Management
• Stream Restoration