GreenAllies manages 3 parks –
Althouse Arboretum, Prout Farm, Sussel Park

See our maps for locations.

Trails

• The total length of Sprogel’s Run Trail is 1.5 miles from Prout Farm to the pond at Sussell Park. Penn’s Woods Trail sits in the middle.
• There are approximately 3,000 ft of trails in the arboretum
• Most trails are natural, though the Penn’s Woods Trail is stone
• A loop behind the pond and across the creek at Sussel Park of about 1,800 ft.
• There is also a trail through Prout Farm
• Trails in the Arboretum are named after our first Student Leaders who designed them
  
  Penn’s Woods Trail
• A stone trail
• Planned on an area that was previously deforested, this educational walking path is designed to replicate a historic Pennsylvania forest with native trees and shrubs
• Showcase native PA native trees and shrubs and how nature and planned ecosystems can co-exist. A Model Right of Way to demonstrate how residents can coexist with utility lines by proper planting of native trees and shrubs
• Althouse Arboretum volunteers planted over 100 native trees
• Many of the native trees and shrubs are labeled for identification

 Outer Loop

The Outer Loop Trail is among our most difficult. Walk among rocks and boulders in an area that is more natural and with less invasives as it has rarely been cleared.

Boulder Field
The Outer Loop trail takes visitors through the edges of the boulder field

          Vinca Meadow

• Found just off the main trail, this unique area of forest is covered with this unnatural ground cover plant. So called because it is covered with Vinca.  Most likely the Vinca was planted sometime in the 50’s as a ground cover for a small garden. Vinca however is not native and left on its own can be quite invasive. The disadvantage as you can see is that it smothers all other vegetation including the May Apples which are a food for the box turtle and other wildlife. Vinca has no wildlife value.
• Enjoy the bench and quiet of the area!

Pavilion

Our pavilion was once a barn and then a garage. You can see the stone walls in the back. You’re welcome to bring a lunch and sit awhile!

Gardens

• ID Garden – Garden across from the greenhouse with native plants labeled that you might find throughout the Arboretum and for sale in the greenhouse in season.
• Handicapped Gardens – available for a volunteer who loves to garden, is willing to maintain them but getting up and down to do ground gardening is difficult.
• Front gardens near the driveway and on the trail – planted with flowers, we can always use help weeding!
• Children’s Forest Garden – located just outside the entrance to the Children’s Forest by the farmhouse. This garden is designed and maintained by volunteers who have adopted it for the season.
• Pollinator Garden – Designed by student interns to contain plants that local pollinators love.
• Nick & Molly’s Garden – Designed by summer interns, full of mostly native plants.
• Pond garden – just getting started.
• Greenhouse – plants for sale and some we are growing to plant at the Arboretum.
  Annual student-run plant sale the Saturday before Mother’s Day in May each year

Children’s Forest

• Designed by local high school students and Jefferson University students.
• The infrastructure allows unstructured children’s activities and imaginative play.  Fosters the healthy, creative and emotional growth of a child. Provides a way in which children get to know the world and creates possibilities for different ways of responding to it.
• The total length about 1,000 ft. starts at the farmhouse and ends at the Main Trail.
• All features are for children’s use ONLY.
• Zip Line – Most popular attraction! A short, low and slow moving zip line that goes from one tree to another down the small slope. PLEASE NO ADULT USAGE!  The maximum weight is 100 lbs!

Mini Outdoor Library

Books are to be used and RETURNED to the mini library.
No books should be taken home.
There are areas to sit and read near the mini outdoor library.
(Any children’s book donations should be brought to the farmhouse)
Books are exchanged weekly.

Wildlife Viewing Platform

Designed by students at Philadelphia University, this small boardwalk and enclosure will allow visitors to look out at the local wildlife.

Pond

Built by volunteers and soon to be refurbished by an Eagle Scout

• Outdoor Classrooms

  You’ll find we have 3! We use them for programs and summer camp. Each was built as an individual scout project.

 

Edible Forest

One of our newer projects. Students and volunteers have begun planting fruit trees and edible plants to show how a food forest can be created and some of what you can grow in your own garden. It’s just beginning but someday there will be lots of good things to eat!

 

Checker Board

for anyone to play!

 

 

Low Ropes Course

Designed to encourage leadership, expand communication skills, promote self-discovery, and increase self-esteem. Each program can be tailored to your group’s specific needs based on the ages and abilities of the group. Everybody can take advantage of this unique group activity especially school groups, company team building, scout troops, and birthday parties. (Minimum of 10 participants are required for each program.) Learn more here.

 

Farmhouse

The white farmhouse was originally a log cabin from the 1700’s.  Upstairs are now the GreenAllies office.  GreenAllies is a private 501c3 nonprofit that manages the Althouse Arboretum for the community.  It is a student-driven organization with a mission to empower students as they become the next generation of environmental sustainability leaders.  GreenAllies supports projects across the country, but their model project, and base of operations, is here at the Althouse Arboretum.

The lower level is a community/welcome center and our Eco Gift Shop. You are welcome to stop in when you see the “open” sign out!

YouthGrow Farm

Our YouthGrow Farm is located at our adjoining Prout Farm park. Our students are our farmers! They are learning the ins and outs of producing organically grown food through experience and they share the fruits of their labor with families in need as well as our members and some is purchased by the Sunflower Cafe.

This year, we will be offering the items at a farm stand right at the Arboretum! You’ll be able to choose what you want, whether it be juicy vine-ripened tomatoes, carrots, herbs or peppers as well as additional value-added products such as marinara sauce, pickles and herbal salts,! All vegetables will be the freshest, picked that day. Stay tuned!

The farm isn’t open for visitors but we do accept volunteers!