Special Friends Volunteer Event recognizing Earth Day and the America 250 Celebration
On Saturday, May 2, the monthly Friends of Ridley Creek Trail Crew will kick it up a notch. We have some fun and impactful projects lined up.
Yes, Earth Day was April 22, and we continue to be good stewards for our May project. We will join forces with DCNR Park Naturalist Gary Stolz to remove invasive plants in and around the vernal pool (frog pond), located near Mile Marker 1.0 on the Multi-Use Trail (MUT).
Nearby, we will also be replacing stairs from the Multi-Use Trail up to the Yellow Trail. This project, led by Friends carpenter John Bush, involves disassembling the existing stairs and assembling new ones.
We'll also have a canopy set up nearby to welcome passers-by with information about the Park and the Friends. Refreshments will be served to volunteers there as well.
Volunteers can assemble at the Mansion, in the walled enclosure on the left side. Please come a little early to sign in, as we will begin at 9 am to walk the nearly half mile on the MUT to our work area. We provide tools, but do bring your own gloves and eye protection if you have it - after all, some invasives are thorny! You can bring your own favorite hand tool (loppers, etc.) as well.
And finally, there's a new Volunteer Registration process this year with DCNR. Go to dcnrvolunteers.pa.gov and be a Volunteer!
Enter to Win an Award at Our 2026 Photo Contest!
by Paul Mickle, Photo Contest Coordinator
The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park are happy to see another popular tradition live on with the 2026 Photo Contest. Coming this summer, this event will continue to add to the many beautiful park photographs and perspectives collected over the years. It is always neat to see the park through the lens of other park enthusiasts. Two decades of past entries can be seen on this website by clicking on the Photo Contest panel on the left side of the home page. Photos from past contests also appear at various events and make occasional newsletter appearances.
There will be a display of all submitted entries and an award ceremony on Wednesday, June 17, at 6 pm in the ballroom of the Hunting Hill Mansion. Cash prizes will be given for first, second, and third place, and for honorable mention. If there are youth entries (under age 18), prizes will be given for that category as well. If you know or have a child who takes photographs, be sure to encourage them.
The deadline for submitting up to 3 photos is Wednesday, June 10, to allow time for judging. Please bring your photos to the park office, which is inside the Hunting Hill Mansion. The hours of the office are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm. When the time gets closer to the deadline, we usually set up a box outside the building for off-hour submissions.
You can submit photos as late as Tuesday, June 16 to be displayed, but they will not be available for judging. The rules and entry form are available on this website. Also, flyers have been posted in boxes on the Multi-Use Trail. Please direct questions to photocontest@FriendsofRCSP.org. Have fun and good luck!
Trail Maps
Ridley Creek State Park hiking trail maps and GPX trail files are now available on our Trail Map page.
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Photo Contest!
Friends Trail Work
The Friends of Ridley Creek State Park organize volunteer trailwork the first Saturday morning of each month, rain or shine. Volunteers have aided in building bridges and erosion controls and taking ou tblowdowns on the trails.,
Trail areas in need are always being identified. Think about joining the fun the first Saturday of each month!
Would you like to make a donation? Click here to join or make a one-time donation!
