Citizens Mount Campaign to 'Save the Wissahickon'

A group of citizens from the neighborhoods that surround Wissahickon Park have banded together to oppose the proposed ropes course slated to go in at the intersection of Henry and Wigard avenues.

“We need to continue to get organized and to get petitions signed,” said Kris Soffa, one of the group’s organizers.  “In a way, we’re pushing this car up the hill together.”

Earlier this year, the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department released a plan to build a tree top adventure course in Wissahickon Park.

People from the surrounding neighborhoods have opposed the plan claiming it would ruin the park and set a dangerous precedent.

In order to unify that message, several Roxborough residents formed the Alliance for Preservation of the Wissahickon. 

The organization’s goal is to not only stop the project but to prevent any future attempts at what they see as “privatization” of city property.

Since, launching just two weeks ago, the organization has launched a blog, a Facebook page and an online petition.

“The goal is to get the support of city council to stop this,” Soffa said. “Then, that’s the end of it.”

The residents also question the viability of this project. 

said that the adventure course would bring in about $50,000 in annual revenue to the city. 

Citizens argue that $50,000 simply isn’t enough to potentially, as they describe it, destroy the “Crown Jewel” of Fairmount Park.

The group’s mission statement reads: “We just want to save the National Natural Landmark, Wissahickon Park, from becoming desecrated and destroyed land and preserve it for generations to come.”

Please click here to view the organization's blog and online petition.

Please click here to view the group's Facebook page.

To Read more on the Tree Top Adventure Course Please Click the Following Links:

• Treetop Adventure Course Considered for Wissahickon Park
• Tree Top Adventure Proposal to be Discussed
• Proposed Rope Course Concerns Residents