We can’t have nice things

Posted 8/23/18

Last week, the city announced that it was going to be ‘closing’ Devil’s Pool in the Wissahickon on Weekends for the next 6 weeks. Every summer without fail, Devil’s Pool in the Wissahickon …

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We can’t have nice things

Posted

Last week, the city announced that it was going to be ‘closing’ Devil’s Pool in the Wissahickon on Weekends for the next 6 weeks.

Every summer without fail, Devil’s Pool in the Wissahickon Valley is the source of some controversy. From its rocky cliffs defaced by graffiti to piles of litter left around and in its waters, the city’s most notorious swimming hole becomes the focus of local efforts to control crowds and the detritus they leave in their wake.

And that’s not even accounting for levels of pollutants in the creek waters that just aren’t safe for swimming.

Devil’s Pool poses numerous logistical challenges to park officials, police and emergency personnel. It’s not easy to get to. Situated on the eastern side of the creek, it’s only accessible by a short hike. It’s also a tough spot for mobile reception. If someone ever did hurt themselves with an ill-advised jump from a high rock, it would take a considerable amount of time for emergency personnel to arrive.

Officials say Devil’s Pool is getting more and more popular with videos and photos of the spot easily shared on social media. And with crowds approaching the hundreds on hot weekends, the chances someone gets hurt are only increasing.

And in addition to growing risk, the larger crowds have created an ever-worsening nuisance to neighbors who complain of illegal parking, trespassing and other disturbances.

The closure should help cut down the crowds for the remainder of the summer, but what will officials do next year? They can’t patrol the area indefinitely.

Suggestions of how to control the site range from regular law enforcement patrols to using rocks to fill the pool, thus discouraging those who would risk leaping into the pool. More level heads agree that filling the pool – a remarkable natural landmark – would inflict a real harm on the natural beauty of the valley.

I can understand the lure of jumping off a rock into the pool on a hot summer day. Yes, it’s risky but a thrill. What I can’t understand is the willful leaving of trash behind. It’s not difficult to pack up the trash you bring in. Pack in, pack out – a golden rule of backpacking, hiking and camping.

The best solution is the one that is the least likely – that people would respect the rules: cease swimming and leaving trash at the site. But counting on human behavior to improve is like thinking we’ll all wake up tomorrow to everlasting world peace.

It would be a real shame if bad behavior eventually forced the city to fill Devil’s Pool. The city might think it’s the only option, but let’s face it: it would do nothing from stopping people from gathering in the Wissahickon to swim.

Controlling Devil’s Pool is tough challenge. I’m not sure what the solution is, but the problem is only getting worse. Eventually, the bad behavior of others is going to mean we lose a landmark. And that’s not acceptable.

Pete Mazzaccaro

opinion