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Explore the Watershed

Piszek Preserve

    Trail Head

    700 East Pennsylvania Ave, Oreland, PA 19075

    Length

    0.75 Miles

    Difficulty

    Easy

    Amenities

    Along Water, Birding Hotspot, Bicycles Allowed, Stroller Friendly, Hard Trail Surface, Leashed dogs, Parking

Trail Overview

Enjoy the natural beauty of the Sandy Run creek when you visit the Piszek Preserve in Upper Dublin and Springfield Townships. Piszek lies adjacent to a historic 18th century estate, called the Emlen House, that George Washington used as winter quarters. Wissahickon Trails began working with Montgomery County Lands Trust (now operating under Natural Lands), local governments and landowners in 2004 to conserve the most sensitive natural areas along the estate. Today, the preserve spans 36 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows.

 

Enjoy a walk along the 0.6 mile long trail through Piszek. Choose from two entrances to the trail. One is located at the small parking lot next to Christ’s Lutheran Church (700 E. Pennsylvania Ave) and goes down along Pennsylvania Avenue into the preserve. The other begins at Oreland Mill Road at the entrance to the Springfield Manor development. 

 

As you walk, you’ll pass through forested areas that are divided by the Sandy Run creek. Two footbridges (one on each end of the trail) help walkers cross the creek.

 

In the spring and summer, you may see scarlet tanagers, field sparrows, red-eyed vireos, and yellow warblers foraging in the trees. Look along the banks of the creek for great blue herons, green herons, and wood ducks.

Download Trail Map
Trail Details

  • Parking

    Small gravel parking lot shared with the community garden at Christ’s Lutheran Church-Oreland

  • Google Maps

    Directions

  • Before You Go

    General Trail Rules & Information

  • Other Info

    Piszek Preserve is part of the old Emlen House and the house can be viewed from the preserve. Emlen House is privately owned - please respect property boundaries.

Detailed Accessibility Information about the Trails at Piszek Preserve Below

Download a printer-friendly PDF with trail descriptions.

Willow Trail

  • Surface: Asphalt and wooden boardwalk footbridge. Crushed stone on brief spur trail to area with three benches. 

  • Distance: 0.4 miles each way. Spur trail to benches less than .1 miles. 

  • Gradient: Beginning at the parking lot, after a short 12% decline initially the trail is gently undulating throughout, with short inclines and declines of 5-10%. 

  • Width: 98” 

  • Cross slope: Minimal 

  • Benches: Three 

  • Shade: Partial during the warmer months. 

  • Drainage issues: Very slight pooling after rain. 

  • Obstacles: None 

  • Footbridge: 93” wide with no steps. Safety barriers on both sides are 42” high with a 5 ½” capping rail, and 1 ¾” horizontal metal bars separating 3” of space.  

 

Freya McGregori

Sycamore Trail

  • Surface: Asphalt and wooden boardwalk footbridge. 

  • Distance: 0.3 miles each way 

  • Gradient: 5-10% throughout. 

  • Width: 84” 

  • Cross slope: Minimal 

  • Benches: None 

  • Shade: Complete in the warmer months for the first 0.2 miles; none for the final 0.1 miles. 

  • Drainage issues: None 

  • Obstacles: None 

  • Footbridge: 93” wide with no steps. Safety barriers on both sides are 42” high with a 5 ½” capping rail, and 1 ¾” horizontal metal bars separating 3” of space.  

Freya McGregori

Trail History

Communities for Conservation

Commuity members have worked with Wissahickon Trails to make this preserve possible. In 2013, the Piszek family donated 33 acres of woodlands and meadows along Sandy Run to ensure the land would be protected forever. In 2016, Alan Gnessin donated a 3 acre parcel to expand the preserve. Along the way, local townships have provided funding and support to make conservation happen.