In mid-May and mid-June, I conducted my third and fourth field visits. I first went to Tookany Creek Park, which forms the eastern border of Cheltenham Township; the creek is very wide here, and contained by a wall on one side. I was able to walk across the creek bed, noticing the leaf packs and grasses that floated on and grew out of the water. This exploration led me to a very exciting discovery: a gorgeous soil profile in a creek bank. I have decided to hold this coming Saturday’s workshop at this site. There are still slots available; you can sign up here. I also explored the remnants of what must have been a stone bridge. I don’t know much about the history of Tookany Creek; seeing this structures made me more interested in learning.
I went to High School Park on a hot summer afternoon, with rain clouds threatening. This is my closest local park, one that I have made several artworks in. I have spent a lot of time at this section of Tookany Creek, but for this visit I decided to explore further. I found a section with gorgeous bedrock–Wissahickon Schist–along the creek. Then the thunder and lightning started and I had to hurry home before the sky opened up. I still was able to gather some soil, sketch, and make a tree bark rubbing, all elements of the experiential map I’m working on right now. As the artwork I’m developing for this project develops further, I’ll share more images of that. In the meantime, enjoy some photos of the creek!
