Do NOT Swim At Devil's Pool In Wissahickon Park, Officials Say

PHILADELPHIA – With summer nearly here, the Friends of the Wissahickon, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, and the Philadelphia Police 14th District are yet again reminding park goers to stay out of the water at Devil's Pool in Wissahickon Valley Park.

Why?

It's dangerous and against the law, officials said.

Each year as summer approaches officials urge park goers to stay out of the water at Devil's Pool, the most trafficked area in the park.

Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW), Parks and Rec, and Philly Police officials have partnered to provide an increased presence around the area during this summer to ensure everyone follows park and city rules regarding swimming, wading, and parking.

"With more than half of our more than 1 million annual visitors using the park in the summer, we need everyone’s help and support now more than ever to prevent people getting hurt," Maura McCarthy, FOW’s executive director, said.

Devil’s Pool is not a designated swimming area and is unsupervised, and that alone makes it a hazardous place to swim.

But many other water-related dangers persist at Devil's Pool, such as strong currents, submerged objects, and poor water quality that may result in skin infections and/or gastro-intestinal distress.

The city offers any other ways to cool off in the water during summer heat, including numerous community pools across the city.

"On Wednesday, June 20, we’ll kick-off the summer 2018 pool season, offering free swimming at outdoor pools across Philadelphia," said Parks and Rec Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. Lovell said the majority of spraygrounds at city recreation centers opened on Memorial Day.

Increased park traffic means more cars competing for parking, notably at the Livezey Lane trailhead, which is closest to the Devil's Pool.

Parking at the trailhead is prohibited as it’s the only direct point for emergency vehicles and personnel to get in and out of the Devil’s Pool area, according to officials.

"The 14th Police District will be working to make sure that regulations are observed by strictly enforcing all code and parking violations at Devil's Pool and the surrounding park areas in an effort to prevent injuries and to enhance the overall quality of life for nearby residents,” 14th Districts Captain John Hearn said.

Response time to emergencies is delayed if EMS vehicles and personnel cannot access this secluded park location. Parking regulations will be strictly enforced, and any vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed.

Park goers are urged to comply with the following ordinances, which will be strictly enforced by police, park rangers and FOW personnel in the Wissahickon and Devil’s Pool vicinity:

• No swimming
• No alcoholic beverages
• Fires are prohibited outside of designated fireplaces or portable charcoal stoves
• No littering or dumping
• Do not deface plants, stones or other park property with graffiti
• Dogs must be kept on a leash

"We want people to have fun in the park, but just to do so safely and responsibly," McCarthy said.

Image via Shutterstock