by Elizabeth Coady

Devil’s Pool, the Wissahickon watering hole that Lenape Indians believed held “an interface between good and evil,’’ continues to alternatively disturb and delight nearby residents as the Friends of Wissahickon and city officials brace for a deluge of 2019 visitors to the increasingly popular hideaway.

About 40 people turned out Monday night for a community meeting at New Covenant Campus where city and community officials revealed both short and long-term improvements to the woods around the basin that attracted about 1,300 visitors daily last year, a jump from 600 daily visitors in 2011.

Immediate remedies promised by officials include:

• Improved signage to direct the hordes along specified paths in the area and away from nearby residents’ property.

• Increased trash pickup in the woods to three times a week, up from the current “one or two” times per week.

• The installation of more portable toilets and sources of fresh water.

• The possibility of a temporary barrier to close the top of Livezey Lane during summer peak season.

• The installation of mini cell-towers to enable cell phone access for emergency services if necessary.

City officials said that they had lost the battle to keep the oasis a secret escape, and consequently were changing their approach. Longer term, they plan the installation of lighting, surveillance cameras and increased infrastructure to protect the habitat. A murmur went through the crowd when lights were mentioned.

“That’s one of the things we have to get over,’’ Maura McCarthy, executive director of Friends of the Wissahickon, told the assembled crowd. “There are areas of the park that we can set aside for habitat restoration and remediation. This is not one of them.’’

“Yeah it’s going to be Coney Island!’’ shouted a man in attendance.

Residents have for years complained about the hordes of visitors – many traveling long distances to enjoy what Philadelphia Magazine called “the eternal lure’’ of the secluded spot. The magazine attributes Chestnut Hill Conservancy archivist Alex Bartlett for finding reference to the Lenape belief of the pool being “an interface between good and evil’’ in a 2015 story.

The popularity of the leafy oasis in the middle of Northwestern Philadelphia has grown with the advent of social media. YouTube features multiple videos of swarms of swimmers cavorting at the hideaway. But neighbors lament that the trespassing, public excrement, trash, nudity, loud partying and congested parking all degrade their quality of life.

“Your great time should not impose on the 1000 block of West Allens Lane,’’ said Jerry Izzard Sr., 73, who is approaching 20 years on the block. “We have to deal with the nudity, the profanity, the loud music, the disrespect, the walking on our lawns, the trashing of our lawns, the double parking. We call 911 and we’re lucky if we get anything.’’

Charles Hargrave, 70, of the 7200 block of Wissahickon Avenue, suggested that the city fill in the watering hole to prevent people from swimming in it or diving from the above cliffs.

“You can’t put large boulders in so kids can’t jump off?,’’ he asked. “...Why don’t you change the topography of the area?’’

“Because it destroys a unique geological formation to get rid of a few chuckle heads,’’ McCarthy said.

Nearby resident Robin Roberts said she hikes through the area often and “I’ve never had a problem with the people who are there.’’

“I go down there in there summer and I see everybody who’s there, and it is an old-fashioned watering hole,” she said. I can understand why people feel like it’s a part of their heritage.’’

But she also noted the trash cans are frequently turned upside down and asked if the city could provide bins with lids that prevent critters from accessing them.

“That’s a great suggestion – trash cans with lids,’’ responded McCarthy. “I can do that! I love that suggestion!’’

Craig Johnson, 72, lives with his partner Carol Adams, 67, near the bottom of Livezey Lane at Glen Fern. They say they have found talking to visitors solves most of their problems.

“We interact with families that have been coming to Devil’s Pool for decades – literally decades,’’ he said. “A lot of the families come from North Philadelphia. They don’t make a mess and they have three generations, and they’ll come down with their babies and their grandparents. And they’re there because it gives them access to nature in a way that they can’t have anyplace else.’’

“We kind of feel that we’re ambassadors,’’ said Adams. “And when we talk to people, they get it. Not all of them. But most of them get it. And so if we can be in dialogue with them, and have an alternative plan, so many of them now take Lyft or Uber down. So it’s not fixed yet but I think being in conversation is the way we move it forward.’’

Tiffany W . Thurman, chief of staff of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, said that because the city was monitoring social media, staff was able to derail several plans for large parties at the swimming hole last year.

She also told the audience that the city has worked hard to address their concerns.

“One thing you cannot say is that you’re not being heard,’’ she said. “It’s just this is a problem that is very tough to solve. And everything you bring up has been addressed, or is ongoingly being addressed, including your signage.’’

Captain Malachi R. Jones, of Philadelphia’s 5th Police District, and Captain Nicholas Smith, of the 14th District, both only several months into new assignments, pledged to be responsive to residents’ calls and complaints. One plan under consideration is having 5th District officers become certified to ride motorbikes which would enable easier and quicker access to the thick woods, said Jones.

Jones confessed that as a teenager he and his friends used to ride his bike to Devil’s Pool. He also said that he used to bring his daughters to the area to feed the ducks when they were younger.

“As a captain, I definitely look at it with different lenses and see your concerns, and I’m very committed to helping you eradicate these concerns,’’ he said. “I just want to make sure that you guys know that we’re here to support you.’’

Local contributor Elizabeth Coady can be reached at elizabeth@chestnuthilllocal.com