On The DL

The Amazing Harry Olson Trail

by Luke Sirinides

Sun., Oct. 21, 11 a.m., $20 (includes picnic lunch), Flat Rock Park, River Road, Gladwyne, 610-645-9030, www.lmconservancy.org

Who would have thought that a serene trail could be nestled between the Schuylkill River and the Expressway? Twenty years ago, Lower Merion resident Harry Olson had a vision of how an unused space in Flat Rock Park could be transformed into a peaceful walk. "My eye caught the piece of land and thought it could make a nice trail," he says. Since then, Olson has been blazing a walking trail from the park to the Belmont Avenue on-ramp. On a guided tour, Olson will discuss the process of building the path as well as its unique features, such as a concrete walk made from construction rubble.

Last year, Lower Merion's board of commissioners honored Olson with the Emerald Necklace Award, which recognizes open space leadership. Lower Merion Conservancy Director Mike Weilbacher hopes Olson's continued efforts will regenerate interest in the river paths. "The Expressway has actually cut Lower Merion off from much of the river," he says. "We're trying to use what's left to build a coherent trail system."