Friends of the Wissahickon Announces Construction on Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project

PHILADELPHIA – May 23, 2024 – Friends of the Wissahickon announced that construction will begin on its much-anticipated Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project on Tuesday, May 28. The $3 million restoration project will be completed in two phases.

The first phase will reconstruct the Valley Green Run streambank and streambed to address years of worsening storm-induced erosion that led to the collapse of the footbridge in 2014.

The second phase will build a new pedestrian bridge to allow pedestrians to safely enter this popular area of Wissahickon Valley Park. An observation platform along the 200-foot extended walkway will offer visitors expansive views of the park’s schist outcroppings and the historic Valley Green Bridge.

On May 28, Valley Green Road will be closed to all vehicular traffic for approximately six months. Pedestrians and cyclists will have intermittent access to the park via this road. To receive direct updates on the project, text WISS to FOW at (267) 966-2207. Valley Green Inn will remain open during normal business hours. Parking for the Inn will be available via Wises Mill Road off Henry Avenue in Roxborough.

Access to the Orange and White trails northbound from Valley Green Road will be closed for the duration of construction. The next closest point of access will be from the Hartwell Lane trailhead. Visitors already in the park will take the detour on Forbidden Drive from Valley Green Road to Rex Avenue.

Partnering with FOW on the project are Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Water Department. It is supported by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Pennsylvania Commonwealth Financing Authority, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Philadelphia Water Department, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Anonymous Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, Timken Foundation, McLean Contributionship, Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation, and many generous individual donors.

General contractor and designer for the streambank restoration is Skelly & Loy, with sub-contractors Resource Restoration Group as builder for the stream restoration, CVMNEXT Construction as design/builder on the pedestrian bridge and Krieger Architects as design architects.

Visit fow.org/vgbridge for up to date information about the Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project, including project updates, upcoming road closures, an interactive map, and multiple donor recognition opportunities. The site also provides guidance on getting to the park via SEPTA and other local park areas to visit.

“Thank you for your patience and support during our long-awaited Valley Green Run Restoration and Pedestrian Bridge Project construction which will lessen our environmental impact and improve access to our beloved park,” said Ruffian Tittmann, FOW’s executive director. “I guarantee the result will be worth it!”