Trash still a problem at Philadelphia’s Devil’s Pool area

Have you ever wondered where the gated trail just before the bridge to the Valley Green Inn takes you? I have and on Saturday morning I found out. Through the gate and about a half mile hike into the woods lies Devil’s Pool. Hidden away this area has become a popular swimming destination for groups and families. More often than not food and beverages accommpany the hikers. But not everyone is so good about taking their trash back out.

On Saturday morning at 9 a.m. members of the Friends of the Wissahickon met at the trailhead to clean up Devil’s Pool. About a dozen people led by volunteer coordinator leader Dan Mercer took time out of their schedules to hike to Devil’s pool pick up trash. It was a hot morning with temperatures above 90 degrees but it didn’t seen to phase any of them. Armed with rubber gloves and green trash bags the group walked a half a mile over rough terrain stopping to collect trash along the way. Little did they know, the real trash awaited them.

Once at Devil’s Pool it looked like a battle zone. Trash, food, furniture, bottles, diapers and more was all over the ground. Much to my surprise I was told that what I was seeing was pristine woods compared to most other weekends.

The clean up task was completed in about two hours, half the time normally spent. Once collected the trash bags are brought to the street for collection by the city.

The Friends of the Wissahickon is a Non-Profit Organization. For more info they can be reached at (215) 247-0417.