2019 Field Trips

Please note that field trips begin at 10 am at the appointed meeting place, unless otherwise stated in the description. Most trips last approximately 2 hours. If it is a nice day, you might want to bring your lunch. Notify the trip leader if you plan on attending, and please feel free to provide feedback that may enhance our offerings to Michael Brooks at 610-293-0693 or Mbrooks@wcupa.edu.

 

We have a wonderful slate of field trips this year, some local, and some very interesting ones at a distance. Scroll down to see descriptions and directions.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, WILDFLOWER WALK at SHENKS FERRY.

Shenks Ferry is a premier spot for spring wildflowers near Conestoga, southern Lancaster County. We have chosen a Thursday because on weekends in April, it is extremely crowded. If you have never been, it is a must see. Many of us enjoy going every year! The trail is easy, walking above a beautiful creek. The road in is rough for a sedan, and the parking is minimal.

Drive to the town of Conestoga and carpool with the group from the Conestoga Wagon Restaurant.

We will meet at the little restaurant in Conestoga at 10 am. Some may want to arrive early for coffee and pie. We will then car pool to the site. Those who want to carpool with Michael from his home in Wayne, should contact Michael Brooks at 610-293-0693 or email mbrooks@wcupa.edu. You are welcome to bring a lunch or eat at Conestoga Wagon after the walk. If using a GPS, and not meeting the group, put in the town of Conestoga, NOT Shenks Ferry which will take you on unsafe roads.

From Conestoga, stay to the left and drive onto River Corner Rd. when the road splits at the “Y.”

Drive past River Road. (The first sign for Shenks Ferry is on this corner.)

Follow all the signs to Shenks Ferry – turning left and then right onto the unpaved and bumpy road that leads to the Preserve.

Drive slowly and park on the far side of the creek.

SATURDAY, JUNE 2. FERN WALK at MONOCACY HILL

Susan Munch will lead a Fern Walk at Monocacy Hill Recreation Area in Douglassville, PA. Susan is a retired botany professor and an expert on ferns and mosses. Monocacy Hill Recreation Area is a 428 acre forest located in Amity Township , Douglassville, PA. It features over 5 miles of forest trails and trail maps are available at the park entrance on Geiger Road.

Directions:

Route 422 starts from Route 202 just south of King of Prussia. Drive north on Route 422.

Continue on Route 422 when it ceases to be a limited access highway.

Just after it crosses Route 662. You will see a diner on your right and a little later a Wawa on your left. Keep your eye out on your right for Hill Road. It's a fairly modest little road.

Drive north on Hill Road to Geiger Road.

Turn left and you will soon see the parking lot.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 9:30 AM PERKIOMEN TRAIL at HOLLYWOOD DRIVE

After Link Davis's fascinating tour of identifying winter plants, we decided that we would like to return to the same spot and see the plants in their summer glory. Go to www.dvfws.org and see the trip report in the Feb.‘18 newsletter, page 7. Walking is about a mile along a mostly wooded, level trail and adjacent fields near the creek. Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy members will be joining us. Lunch will follow at the home of Whitefields, 10 minutes from the trail. (Note that this is a half hour earlier than our usual start time.)

SATURDAY, JUNE 1, HOUSE & GARDEN TOUR at STONELEIGH

a visit to Stoneleigh, the former Haas estate, now a Natural Lands natural garden in Villanova. Stoneleigh opens to the public on May 13th, 2018. DIRECTIONS FOR STONELEIGH Stoneleigh is located at 1829 East County Line Road in Villanova, PA, 19085. Free parking is available on site. Park and walk one block east on Spring Mill Road, to the intersection with County Line Road. Cross as directed, and enter through the corner gate. The SEPTA Villanova Train Station is a short walk to/from Stoneleigh.

We visited Tyler Arboretum's specimen plants and wildflower meadow, and the library and workshop of the two 19th century farmer/botanists who began the collection.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 VILLANOVA University tour starts at 10:00 AM. We toured the many old trees and new gardens with Horticultural Supervisor, Hugh Weldon. Met at garage I-1 on Ithan Avenue in Villanova. The tour lasted about 2 hours. Directions: From the Blue Route take the exit for Rte 30, go east on Rte 30 then turn right onto Ithan Ave. Free parking passes at the garage were available to the group.