Parkwood Civic Association members met Capt. Adam Friedman, the new commander of the 8th Police District, during their monthly session last week, and they also heard good news about the almost-complete hiking and biking trail that runs along the Poquessing Creek from behind Junod Playground on Dunks Ferry Road to just outside Benjamin Rush State Park.
Rob Armstrong, the Park and Recreation Department’s preservation and capital projects manager, told members gathered Nov. 19 at the 8th’s headquarters at Red Lion and Academy that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the trail’s entrance next to Junod.
However, there have been issues reported in the area — fires, trash and graffiti along the 1.3-mile trail. Members also are concerned about ATVs and hunting along the path. ATV riders have chewed up the trail, a few residents said.
ATVs may not be legally driven on public property in the city. Friedman said police may confiscate any ATVs they encounter on the trail.
Residents told Armstrong the off-road rec vehicles are a constant problem and are damaging the trail and trees. Armstrong told residents he is aware of the problems and added that ATV riders often enter the trail as it nears a cul-de-sac on McNulty Road.
Deer hunters with bows and crossbows have been seen along the trail and several residents asked if that was legal.
Not on public property, Armstrong said. If hunters have permission to be on private land, they can hunt.
“No firearms are permitted in Philadelphia County,” Jerry Czech, the state’s game officer in Philadelphia, told the Northeast Times later on Nov. 19. “It is archery only. Hunting is legal on private property and in some state parks in the state. It is not legal in Benjamin Rush State Park now and or in Poquessing Park.”
Trail users who see hunters in the parks should report them to police on 911, or the Pennsylvania Game Commission at 610–926–3136, Czech said.
There is private property near the trail. “You are going to see hunters,” said zoning liaison Lou Farinella.
Armstrong said he wants to get signs posted that let people know that ATV riding and hunting are not permitted along the trail.
THE NEW CAPTAIN
Friedman said told residents that they have his ear.
“If you tell me something is going on… it will be attended to,” he said. “I want this place to be as nice 10 years from now.”
He told residents to lock their car doors and not leave anything visible.
Thieves will break a window to get to 75 cents inside a car, he warned. If your car is broken into, he said, don’t clean it up until after police get there. Fingerprints found could lead to someone responsible for many crimes.
The captain said foreign exchange students from China now being housed at Archbishop Ryan have been robbed and that police have made a few arrests in those cases.
Friedman said he would have to check on the legality of “pop-up campers” parking on neighborhood streets. Marge Philippi, association president, said she has seen campers not attached to vehicles sitting on the 12500 and 12600 blocks of Manton.
The captain said residents should report drug crimes to 911 but also email details to the district at co_08@phila.gov
Residents can call Community Relations Officer Natalie Crone at 215–685–9377.
The 8th Police District was a different venue for the civic association this month. The next session, 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, will take place at the group’s regular meeting place, the basement of St. Anselm’s Church on Dunks Ferry Road..••
