The Philadelphia Department of Parks & Recreation and the Police Department started cracking down on illegal activity in Devil’s Pool on the weekend of Aug. 14, days after a Change.org petition began circulating around Northwest Philadelphia.

The petition, created two weeks ago, demands that the city increase the presence of law enforcement along Wissahickon Creek to reduce littering, swimming, loud music and open-flame barbecuing. More than 1,500 people have signed it as of Monday.

It’s no secret that the creek, which runs through Wissahickon Valley Park, becomes a popular swimming hub during the warm months. Many people venture to places like Devil’s Pool to get a free reprieve from the heat. But the petition’s creator, Jennifer Cass, says the amount of illegal activity has taken a toll on the creek. She consistently spots litter such as broken glass and bottle caps, and visitors post videos on social media of swim parties and barbecues.

“These activities are not harmless,” Cass wrote. “They are unlawful, unsafe, and environmentally destructive. They violate park regulations, threaten public health and safety, endanger wildlife habitats, and cause severe, potentially irreversible damage to one of Philadelphia’s most historic and fragile natural spaces.”

Parks & Recreation and the police issue fines for these behaviors, but Cass argues they’ve had little effect due to the lack of enforcement.

“Applying these penalties consistently is essential to stopping the ongoing destruction of the Wissahickon Creek,” the petition reads.

On the weekend of Aug. 14, a few days after the petition was created, Parks & Recreation and the police “increased patrols [and] expanded enforcement at Devil’s Pool,” a Parks spokesperson told the Local last week. Officials also plan to add signs to raise awareness about the safety regulations, the spokesperson said.

Police spokesman Eric Gripp told KYW Newsradio that there will be fines of $300 for swimming or open flames, $100 for loud noise and $50 per item for littering. Gripp said their focus is safety. A fatal drowning occurred at Devil’s Pool in April.

“We’re not trying to ruin anyone’s good time. We’re just trying to make sure everyone goes home alive,” Gripp told KYW.

That same weekend, Cass announced on Change.org that Parks & Recreation is forming a plan to address the issues over the course of this year and early next year. The Local has asked the department for specifics.

Cass said on Change.org that she noticed more park rangers and temporary signage in the area that weekend. On Aug. 18, Devil’s Pool was the cleanest she’s seen it since before the COVID-19 pandemic, she wrote. She said park rangers and police officers have continued to patrol the area.

But still, there are people swimming in the creek despite the presence of law enforcement, Cass said Sunday on Change.org. She reported a group of swimmers to 311.

“We want to be vigilant, but we do not want this to turn into a ‘witch hunt’ in which people begin to be targeted,” she wrote. “Reporting the incidents is necessary, however, so that Parks & Rec and the PPD understand that we are not overreacting — but that this remains a chronic problem despite their current efforts.” 

In addition to increasing the presence of law enforcement, the petition calls for City Council to install clearer signage at entry points warning visitors of the prohibited activities, as well as coordinate on enforcement with Parks & Recreation, the police and environmental organizations. The Local has asked Councilmember Cindy Bass for comment. Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr., deferred to Parks & Recreation.

Wissahickon Valley Park, which records more than 2 million annual visitors, was named a littering hotspot by the nonprofit Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics shortly after the COVID-19 lockdown. Volunteers say peak littering occurs around summer holidays. Swimming is prohibited by Parks & Rec due to risks of drowning, injury from sharp objects, strong currents, exposure to bacteria and other hazards.

Friends of the Wissahickon has thousands of volunteers that clean up the parks and collaborate with the city on environmental restoration. The nonprofit installed signs around Devil’s Pool last summer, telling people to pick up their trash. But only park rangers and police officers have the authority to issue fines. Advocates say Parks & Rec is underfunded and reliant on nonprofits.

In November, Mayor Cherelle Parker and the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives launched a task force that includes park rangers to combat illegal dumping and install more surveillance cameras across the city. But it’s unclear how often these employees survey parks. The few surveillance cameras in Wissahickon Valley Park are not monitored.

“FOW doesn’t generally sign petitions like this one as an organization, but we are working with city partners to explore creative solutions to such longstanding issues as this,” FOW executive director Sara Stevenson said in a statement to the Local. “We recommend that people reach out to their City Council person to advocate for increased funding for Philadelphia Parks & Recreation so they can hire more rangers throughout the park system. This is key to the change we hope to see.” 

When asked if FOW would be interested in installing more cameras, Stevenson said “any tools that keep our visitors safe are worth exploring.

“But we hope that personal interactions and education will help change the culture at Devil’s Pool, so that everyone who uses the park takes responsibility for carrying out what they bring in and for enjoying this resource safely. We believe that building a culture of stewardship is the first priority.” 

Abby Weiss is an environmental reporter for the Local and a Report for America corps member. She can be reached at abby@chestnuthilllocal.com.