Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) was recently awarded $356,000 in grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Growing Greener Program for its ongoing $1.2 million Pachella Gully Restoration and Sedimentation Reduction Project. In partnership with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR), FOW is restoring the actively eroding 500-foot gully along an access trail behind Pachella Ball Field in Wissahickon Valley Park. Since the gully was first identified with PWD a decade ago, erosion has worsened substantially. Environmental engineers estimate that 22,000 pounds of sediment and 34 pounds of phosphorus are being discharged from the Pachella gully into the Wissahickon Creek each year. Presenting the ceremonial grant check to FOW’s Executive Director Ruffian Tittmann are State Rep. Tarik Khan (left) and DEP Communications Director Wallace Weaver.