The Wissahickon Valley Park, a unique urban gem spreading over 2,000 acres, is as much a centerpiece of Northwest Philadelphia as it is a centerpiece of Christine Bamberger’s life.

“[The Wissahickon] is like this wonderland that’s just a few blocks away from us,” Bamberger says. “I can’t imagine Chestnut Hill and Mt. Airy without the park being right there.”

A devoted friend of the Wissahickon

Bamberger, a longtime Mt. Airy resident of over 30 years, will receive the Wissahickon Award from Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW), the nonprofit organization that works to conserve the beauty and wildness of the park. The award will be presented at FOW’s 100 Years of Wild gala on Friday, Nov. 8 for just the sixth time in FOW’s century-long history.

It’s a safe assumption that anyone who receives such a rare honor must have an impressive resume. Bamberger’s is no exception. After becoming a member of FOW 25 years ago, she served on the organization’s board from 2007 to 2008 and again from 2013 to 2023. Bamberger has also been active on numerous FOW committees, including marketing, executive, infrastructure, habitat, and engagement. Most notably, she chaired the development committee, helping host major fundraising events such as the annual Whispers Along the Wissahickon event, the Asleep at the Wheel benefit concert and multiple anniversary galas – the 85th, 90th and 95th.

When asked about her experiences at FOW, Bamberger does not focus on herself. Instead, she says the work is so rewarding because of the people she has met along the way and their mutual love for the park.

“It’s such a great community here…you run into all kinds of people when you’re involved in Friends of the Wissahickon,” Bamberger says. “I feel so fortunate to have gotten really involved in FOW at the very time Maura McCarthy and, then shortly after that, Ruffian Tittmann came on board. The organization has been transformed by these two leaders who worked seamlessly together for years.”

A fulfilling life in and out of the park

Despite her deep roots in the Northwest Philadelphia area, Bamberger is originally from Southern California. The first part of her life was spent in the mountains and on the beach, setting Bamberger up for a lifetime of loving nature. 

After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, Bamberger moved right to New York City to work in the advertising industry. She met her husband, Michael, on the East Coast and his connections to Philadelphia led the couple to settle in Mt. Airy. 

“As far as spending time in the park with my husband…it has been one of the constant joys of our marriage to walk, bike and hike in nature with Michael throughout the seasons of our lives,” Bamberger says.

Bamberger’s children, Ian and Alina, share her love for the Wissahickon. Ian loves to run in the park on Forbidden Drive, while Alina’s favorite restaurant (despite living in New York City) is the Valley Green Inn.

Outside of her work with FOW, Bamberger keeps herself busy with other interests such as traveling and visiting museums. Among some of her favorite traveling experiences, Bamberger lists Costa Rica, South Africa and India.

“I love other cultures,” Bamberger says. “I love art and just love that creative process…[I’m] always looking for inspiration in different areas. It comes in surprising ways.”

Bamberger is also a member of the Director’s Guild of the Morris Arboretum, chairing its annual Moonlight and Roses fundraiser twice. A lover of nature in any form, Bamberger appreciates the dichotomy of having the manicured arboretum right next to the wildness of the park.

Looking forward with community in mind

Although she is involved in several organizations and pursues multiple interests, Bamberger doesn’t find it difficult. As the saying goes, “When you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Bamberger says this rings true for her.

Devoting time and effort to her community was ingrained in Bamberger as a child from her mother. She grew up in a household where community service was the norm, and thus she leapt at the chance to do so herself.

“[Community service] is satisfying because you’re making so many connections for yourself, for your children, and in the community,” Bamberger says. “That makes for a much more rewarding experience to live in a community you’re really connected to.”

Bamberger said getting the Wissahickon Award is a humbling surprise – and is especially meaningful because of those who have won it before her.

“The previous recipient of the Wissahickon Award, Cindy Affleck, has been a role model to me, so to follow in her footsteps makes this an even greater honor,” Bamberger says.

In the future, Bamberger hopes to continue traveling and spending time with family. And yes, she will be spending more time in the Wissahickon Valley Park as well.