Valley Green (My Heart Is Breaking)

**tintin19119** · 07-26-2012, 09:49 PM

Valley Green has always been a hidden gem,for people living in Chestnut Hill,Germantown,Mt. Airy,East Falls and Roxborough.Regardless of race creed or color.We all have a love and respect for the Green.I have fished ,hiked,walked my dogs and hung out at devil`s pool.I have enjoyed the Green since the 70`s. I hate to say this,there is an element not from the area,that has no respect for Valley Green.I am seeing things that I never thought I would see. Spray painting on rocks and trees.Dirty diapers,People grilling on a rock in the middle of the creek. Some of the most foul language I have ever heard.They come to the Green mainly to swim in Devil`s pool.I don`t go near Devil`s pool anymore.I don`t know if we need more police and Game wardens patrolling the area,but this has to stop.

**Giavella Water** · 07-26-2012, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by tintin19119

Valley Green has always been a hidden gem,for people living in Chestnut Hill,Germantown,Mt. Airy,East Falls and Roxborough.Regardless of race creed or color.We all have a love and respect for the Green.I have fished ,hiked,walked my dogs and hung out at devil`s pool.I have enjoyed the Green since the 70`s. I hate to say this,there is an element not from the area,that has no respect for Valley Green.I am seeing things that I never thought I would see. Spray painting on rocks and trees.Dirty diapers,People grilling on a rock in the middle of the creek. Some of the most foul language I have ever heard.They come to the Green mainly to swim in Devil`s pool.I don`t go near Devil`s pool anymore.I don`t know if we need more police and Game wardens patrolling the area,but this has to stop.

That's too bad. VG is a big part of Philly life quality. It seems in this city that some really good areas have to be completely destroyed by one group before another group nurtures it back to life. Where are the cops and politicians indeed.

**PhillyTex** · 07-27-2012, 09:10 AM

While the graffiti is probably the work of teenagers, one thing I find especially troubling is that many of the people swimming in the creek, picnicking in the wrong areas, and leaving copious amounts of trash, are whole FAMILIES. I think we all accept some degree of rebellion from kids in their teens, but it's downright disgusting when you see parents raising their kids in this way.

**Malloy** · 07-27-2012, 10:15 AM

I don't know how it was 'back in the day' since I never went to that area as a kid. I do know it is pretty trashy now, which is an incredible shame. I've been past there quite a few times since moving to EF and the whole scene infuriates me. I hope the city does a clean up like they did on the Parkway. Def whole families trashing it up, I've seen it first hand.

**tintin19119** · 07-27-2012, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by PhillyTex

While the graffiti is probably the work of teenagers, one thing I find especially troubling is that many of the people swimming in the creek, picnicking in the wrong areas, and leaving copious amounts of trash, are whole FAMILIES. I think we all accept some degree of rebellion from kids in their teens, it's downright disgusting when you see parents raising their kids in this way.

You are right,it`s whole families and it makes me sick.They are treating the Green like an amusement Park.

Originally Posted by Malloy

I don't know how it was 'back in the day' since I never went to that area as a kid. I do know it is pretty trashy now, which is an incredible shame. I've been past there quite a few times since moving to EF and the whole scene infuriates me. I hope the city does a clean up like they did on the Parkway. Def whole families trashing it up, I've seen it first hand.

You have Friends Of Wissahickon Home | Friends of Wissahickon . I have seen them and others clean up around Devil`s Pool and as soon as they are done.They trash it again. It`s the same element that hangs out and trashed Adams Run.It`s a little creek right near the end of Cheltenham ave and Rising Sun.

**annie** · 07-27-2012, 11:30 AM

At Devil's Pool, it's swim at your own risk | Philadelphia City Paper | 07/26/2012

**5n4k3** · 07-27-2012, 04:25 PM

i traipse through the wissahickon valley several times a week and i completely avoid devil's pool on the weekends anymore because it's so out of control. it's just sad to see garbage left everywhere and no concern for the impact on the park and everyone else who enjoys it.

this is the typical scene on a hot saturday, with fires blazing all around, and food wrappers, dirty diapers, beer cans, and broken bottles left behind:

occasionally the fire dept comes back with some shovels and buckets to put out the fires, and i've seen the trails closed by the police when it gets really unruly, but as long as we only have a handful of park rangers covering 9,200 acres, this kind of activity is going to continue.

**NCtransplant** · 07-27-2012, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by 5n4k3

i traipse through the wissahickon valley several times a week and i completely avoid devil's pool on the weekends anymore because it's so out of control. it's just sad to see garbage left everywhere and no concern for the impact on the park and everyone else who enjoys it.

this is the typical scene on a hot saturday, with fires blazing all around, and food wrappers, dirty diapers, beer cans, and broken bottles left behind:

occasionally the fire dept comes back with some shovels and buckets to put out the fires, and i've seen the trails closed by the police when it gets really unruly, but as long as we only have a handful of park rangers covering 9,200 acres, this kind of activity is going to continue.

Agreed. That picture is amazing and disheartening. These idiots have a huge, negative, what-the-f*$#-are-you-thinking impact on Devil's Pool.
And they also disrupt the area around the Inn. My wife and I were there last Sunday and saw idiot after idiot jumping from the bridge into the creek. They got chased by a ranger, but within minutes went back to their herd-culling behavior. Even by male teenager standards (and I used to have them), what they're doing at the bridge is beyond stupid.
As for the Devil's Pool "family outings" - if your parents bring you there and tacitly endorse the idea that lighting fires is OK, the ground is where you leave your trash, and rocks are something you write on, then the famous line from Ferris Bueller's Day Off is appropriate: "I weep for the future."

**darthsinatra** · 07-27-2012, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by NCtransplant

Agreed. That picture is amazing and disheartening. These idiots have a huge, negative, what-the-f*$#-are-you-thinking impact on Devil's Pool.
And they also disrupt the area around the Inn. My wife and I were there last Sunday and saw idiot after idiot jumping from the bridge into the creek. They got chased by a ranger, but within minutes went back to their herd-culling behavior. Even by male teenager standards (and I used to have them), what they're doing at the bridge is beyond stupid.
As for the Devil's Pool "family outings" - if your parents bring you there and tacitly endorse the idea that lighting fires is OK, the ground is where you leave your trash, and rocks are something you write on, then the famous line from Ferris Bueller's Day Off is appropriate: "I weep for the future."

But as soon as one of their crotchfruit dies in a diving accident, guess who pays?

**Malloy** · 07-27-2012, 06:46 PM

It would take a few mos, but rangers could shut that down easily. Seems worth it IMO

**Sharkfood** · 07-27-2012, 06:59 PM

I visited Devil's Pool a lot in 1996 and 1997 and it was very trashy and graffitied back then; so this is not a new development.

**Hal** · 07-28-2012, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by darthsinatra

But as soon as [somebody] dies in a diving accident, guess who pays?

Well, actually, it's not the city.

In 1983, a teenage boy, David Barr, drowned when he consumed alcohol and went swimming in Devil's Pool, a natural pond located in a remote and undeveloped portion of a park owned by the City of Philadelphia.
On numerous occasions signs had been posted at the pond to prohibit swimming. Vandals promptly removed the signs each time. On the day when Barr drowned, the signs were missing.

And, long story short,

So long as no entrance or use fee is charged, the Act provides that landowners owe no duty of
care to keep their land safe for recreational users and have no duty to warn of dangerous conditions.

Hal

**2happy4u** · 07-28-2012, 09:33 AM

As a kid this was a spot to go, being from the city this was like a trip to the country, One day we took the 23 trolly all the way up and walked to the park. At 13 this was like a mass journey.LOL. The water was clean enough to drink. One night we pitched a tent and camped out. Many years later I enjoyed a few Thanksgiving dinners at the restaurant. One question I have , why do you think the people in the photo are not from the "area"?

**Gladys** · 07-28-2012, 09:59 AM

It looks like an idyllic spot, accept for all the people. That is just awful.

**Hal** · 07-28-2012, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Gladys

It looks like an idyllic spot, accept for all the people. That is just awful.

Courtesy of NY Public Library archives...

But it didn't stay "idyllic" for long...

It was soon improved for the Victorian crowd...

IIRC, initially with a wrought iron platform

then later with the wooden bridge

Oh, BTW the tall stone structure is NOT a bridge, and although it's a "viaduct" it doesn't carry water, it's a sewer line.

Oddly enough, seems like the New Yorker magazine helped cause the congestion with a front page story a few years ago?

Hal

**Jerry19127** · 07-28-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by tintin19119

Valley Green has always been a hidden gem,for people living in Chestnut Hill,Germantown,Mt. Airy,East Falls and Roxborough.Regardless of race creed or color.We all have a love and respect for the Green.I have fished ,hiked,walked my dogs and hung out at devil`s pool.I have enjoyed the Green since the 70`s. I hate to say this,there is an element not from the area,that has no respect for Valley Green.I am seeing things that I never thought I would see. Spray painting on rocks and trees.Dirty diapers,People grilling on a rock in the middle of the creek. Some of the most foul language I have ever heard.They come to the Green mainly to swim in Devil`s pool.I don`t go near Devil`s pool anymore.I don`t know if we need more police and Game wardens patrolling the area,but this has to stop.

Most of this area should be avoided on hot weekends in the summer. Almost all of these families are Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and Dominicans who are somewhat accustomed to 3rd world conditions . The Wissahickon is cleaner than most of the waterways in their own countries so the threat of high bacteria count etc does not dissuade them...even if you "educated" them, they would still go. It's a culture thing. The same s^^t goes on at Pennypack too. Most of the people are not from the immediate area as the NW is not exactly teeming with Hispanics but the parks are easily accessible from areas where they mostly live.

As far as the need for more wardens, I don't get this. It's not like there are random pow-wows all over the woods. All of the problem people congregate off of Forbidden Drive which is easily accessible to periodic patrol.

**Jerry19127** · 07-28-2012, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by 5n4k3

i traipse through the wissahickon valley several times a week and i completely avoid devil's pool on the weekends anymore because it's so out of control. it's just sad to see garbage left everywhere and no concern for the impact on the park and everyone else who enjoys it.

this is the typical scene on a hot saturday, with fires blazing all around, and food wrappers, dirty diapers, beer cans, and broken bottles left behind:

occasionally the fire dept comes back with some shovels and buckets to put out the fires, and i've seen the trails closed by the police when it gets really unruly, but as long as we only have a handful of park rangers covering 9,200 acres, this kind of activity is going to continue.

It looks like a Maria Quinonez-Sanchz funraiser

**darthsinatra** · 07-28-2012, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry19127

It looks like a Maria Quinonez-Sanchz funraiser

Bwahahahaha ftw!

**Swinefeld** · 07-29-2012, 10:36 AM

True enough. Every summer the numbskulls trash it and every fall Friends of the Wissahickon clean it up.

Originally Posted by Sharkfood

I visited Devil's Pool a lot in 1996 and 1997 and it was very trashy and graffitied back then; so this is not a new development.

**Geno** · 07-29-2012, 11:39 AM

I run past there fairly often. I don't see all the trash. Trash and grafitti would be a problem, but I don't see crowds of people enjoying the park as "disgusting" like many here are saying. Oh no, poor people! They don't have designer athletic wear. Actually I am more offended by all the "professionals" in their skin tight bike shorts.