This month, TTF’s LandCare team continued active stewardship across Tacony Creek Park and surrounding sites, with a focus on site preparation, invasive species management, and workforce training.
At the Friends Hospital Nature Preserve, crews made significant progress in clearing invasive vegetation, removing debris, and stabilizing priority areas in preparation for upcoming restoration work. Using tools and equipment such as the gator and a rented skid steer (Bobcat), the team efficiently consolidated and removed trash and organic material to improve site conditions and accessibility. Renting equipment like this is often necessary for large-scale cleanups, highlighting the additional costs and coordination required to carry out this work.
By the numbers:
- 13.5 tons of material removed
- 104 total human labor hours
This work marks a major turning point for the site as it transitions from cleanup to restoration and long-term stewardship.
As LandCare Director Drew Rinaldi Subits shared:
“This was quite a herculean effort from the team!”
“MAJOR shout outs to Liam for keeping the bags moving, doing whatever was needed at all times, and bucking all large trees and logs out of our way with precision and efficiency—and Christian Bale Batman style grunts.”
“Khyree my guy for incredible professional development in learning to use the Bobcat and showing incredible natural equipment operator instincts and precision skill—and also just being a ROCK of consistency in keeping the beast moving with all the other moving parts around the site during those two weeks.”
“And Elijah for just jumping right into the fire in his first week on the job, and seamlessly integrating into the needed workflow, bringing boundless positive energy to a real grimy project, and doing whatever was needed.”
“So much appreciation for everyone’s work on this, and it really is a turning point for the site as we start to actually build this community nature preserve! Much more challenging and great work ahead, but we are ready and the future is bright and full of biodiversity!!! : )”
This work is part of a larger, multi-year effort to restore natural systems on-site. Planned improvements include wetland restoration, stormwater management features, erosion control, and native plantings to improve water quality and habitat along Tacony Creek.
A key highlight this month was the continued growth of TTF’s Workforce Development program, in partnership with PowerCorpsPHL. Crew members gained hands-on experience in:
- Invasive species removal
- Chainsaw and land management techniques
- Equipment operation, including skid steer training
- Ecological restoration practices
These efforts are building pathways into green careers while directly improving park conditions.
TTF staff have also been out in the park multiple days tackling illegal dumping, including recent cleanups along the banks near Tabor Bridge.
Shortly after one cleanup, new trash was dumped directly under the bridge into the creek. A week later, the team returned and cleared the site again. This is the reality of the work—but we’re not backing down.
As Drew emphasized, this work is about more than maintenance—it’s about creating spaces where community, ecology, and opportunity come together.
Looking ahead, the team will continue site maintenance while advancing into the next phase of restoration, including planting, stormwater improvements, and expanded community access.
This blog is part of the #CreekyCLEAN! TaconyCreekPark initiative.
Learn more at:
🔗 https://ttfwatershed.org/programs/creekyclean-tacony-park/
