Parks Alive 2025

PARKS REVITALIZATION PLAN

FROM THE COMMISSIONERS

Dear Camden County Residents,

We are proud to present Parks Alive 2025, the official parks revitalization and development plan for Camden County. The purpose of this initiative is to breathe new life into our beloved parks, and improve the quality of life for over 500,000 Camden County residents. Not only will the Parks Alive 2025 plan enhance our community aesthetically, it will have a direct impact on our economy, our environment, and the overall health and happiness of locals and visitors alike.

The Camden County Parks System is a shining example of how nature, recreation, and public spaces can become an indispensable part of our lives. Through Parks Alive 2025, we are creating the next generation of park experiences by advancing and adapting resources to offer modern, beautiful, green, and accessible environments to residents and visitors for generations to come. As a community-centric initiative, the plan offers unique ways for corporations and residents to connect through both large scale sponsorships and personal tributes and support.

Restoration of our parks and outdoor spaces is an undeniable necessity when it comes to a locality's success. The quality, condition and offerings of our parks influence major categories from tourism and travel dollars, to neighborhood safety, community identity and engagement, and wildlife conservation.

Parks Alive 2025 is an exciting adventure and invaluable investment in our county’s future. We appreciate your support and look forward to starting this journey with you.

Sincerely,

The Camden County Board of Commissioners

Al Dyer

Louis Cappelli, Jr., Director

Edward T. McDonnell, Deputy Director

Jeffrey L. Nash Parks Liaison

Jonathan L. Young, Sr.

Melinda Kane

Virginia Betteridge

Haddon Lake Park

WHAT IS PARKS ALIVE 2025?

Parks Alive 2025 is a collection of priority park development projects over the next several years that reinvest in invaluable park features and reimagine our spaces to increase both active and passive amenities for residents and visitors. The plan addresses everything from critical environmental improvements, ADA and Universal Design enhancements, and improved safety and security measures to new equipment, facility upgrades, and so much more. Camden County is the place. And this is the plan to make our parks system work for everyone.

AN INVESTMENT IN OUR FUTURE

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR COMMUNITY?

The improvements and projects of Parks Alive 2025 will have a direct impact on many facets of life in Camden County from social and ecological to wellness and financial health. The benefits and offerings of our parks system, both seen and unseen, will lift up our communities now and for the future.

TOURISM

Enhances facilities and spaces for private and public special events

Generates sponsorship revenue

Attracts visitors to stay, shop, and dine locally

ENVIRONMENTAL

Improves air quality and reduces congestion

Improves water filtration

Maintains critical watershed areas

Provides ecosystem benefits, including environmental cooling to mitigate thermal stress

Conserves land and wildlife environments

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Increases property and real estate values

Increases tax, tourism, and municipal revenue

Reduces water treatment costs

Attracts and retain affluent retirees, homebuyers, employees, and talent

COMMUNITY IDENTITY & ENGAGEMENT

Encourages neighborhood relationship building, bonding and networking

Enhances community pride

HADDON LAKE PARK

ARTS & CULTURE

Attracts events that enrich, educate, and inspire the community

Provides economic opportunities for local art and artists

Promotes concerts, cultural events, and festivals increase local spending

RECREATION

Features spaces to learn, play and practice sports

Reduces boredom and fosters creativity

Strengthens children's fine and gross motor skills

EDUCATION

Partners with youth organizations

Offers hands-on activities with local foliage and wildlife

Conducts local history and trail tours

Fosters an understanding of our environment through year-round activities

SAFE SPACES & NEIGHBORHOODS

Reduces crime and drug use

Creates informal surveillance

Familiarizes residents with their neighbors and builds trust

SOCIAL EQUITY & ACCESS

Accommodates residents of all abilities

Offers opportunities for all socioeconomic levels to enjoy

Provides refuge and distractions for at-risk youth

PUBLIC HEALTH & WELLNESS

Offers physical and psychological benefits

Improves mood and lowers stress

Fosters the mitigation of health issues and costs

Encourages healthy lifestyles and routines for all ages

CONSERVATION

Preserves habitats, ecosystems, historical sites, and buildings

Protects plants and wildlife including endangered species

ARMITAGE PAVILION

HIGHLIGHTED PROJECTS (WOW FACTOR)

From our urban and suburban areas offering world-class dining and shopping to our farmlands and wineries, Camden County has something for everyone. Camden County Park System reflects the diversity of the County: From Wiggins Waterfront Park and Promenade with unsurpassed views of the Delaware River and Philadelphia to the eastern Berlin and New Brooklyn Parks with extensive trails, disc golf course and pickle ball courts.

Camden County aims to invest in projects that create focal points in the landscape, foster a sense of place and encourage pride in the deep history and unique features of our locality.

In an effort to connect people to the many resources offered and those planned, Camden County is creating digital, interactive and print maps for park users that provide information about trails, playground, park amenities and history. Coordinating this effort with interpretive, wayfinding and gateway signage will create a cohesive look and sense of place.

ALL PARKS

Asset and Resource Inventory, Interactive Mapping, Signage and Outreach

COOPER RIVER

Victims of Terrorism Memorial

GATEWAY

Gateway Park Lighting and Sculpture Project

HOPKINS POND

Multi-Use Gazebo for Performances and Events

WIGGINS

Upgrade Wiggins Park

Riverstage Lighting System

WALLWORTH

Pavilion Reflecting History of Park System

CHALLENGE GROVE PARK

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Much of Camden County’s park system infrastructure was built during the 1930s including the classic stone staircases, bridges and other features. Camden County is investing in preserving this history without compromising on providing modern amenities. As the parks continue to age, particular attention needs to be given to bridges, paved paths, piers, bulkheads, and buildings. Anticipating unexpected repairs and issues while long-term planning for replacement of essential infrastructure creates a comprehensive and proactive program.

Camden County’s extensive park system has many accessible elements including the award winning Jake’s Place, part of the John Adler Memorial Park at Challenge Grove which also includes the inclusive Boundless Field and accessible basketball court. In an effort to move beyond ADA standards and towards Universal Design- the principle that aims to design spaces that people of all abilities can use and enjoy- we are dedicating funding for the planning and implementation of amenities and designs accessible for all.

ALL PARKS

ADA Enhancements

Universal Design improvements

Maintenance and Infrastructure Improvements

Historical Building and Stone

Structures Restoration Plan

COOPER RIVER

Gazebo and Picnic Area Upgrade

Parking Lot Upgrades

WALLWORTH

Multi-Use Bridge Upgrades

HADDON LAKE

Pedestrian Bridge Replacements

Restroom Facility and Picnic Pavilion

BERLIN

Pedestrian Bridge Upgrades

COOPER RIVER PARK

IMPROVEMENTS BY TYPE

TRAILS / PAVING PROJECTS

Camden County Park System has trails networks that not only connect different areas within each park, but also many parks along the Cooper River are connected by a segment of the Circuit Trail System. You can start a bike ride at John Adler Park at Challenge Grove and end at Gateway Park in Camden with only needing to cross 4 roads.

Camden County is designing additional trails to give more people off-road options for recreating, exercising and commuting. The most ambitious of these projects is the Camden County LINK Trail that, when complete, will connect users from the foot of the Ben Franklin Bridge to the Atlantic County border.

HADDON LAKE

Trail and Drainage Upgrades

ATCO

Atco Lake Conservation Area Trail and Lake Improvements

COOPER RIVER

Veteran’s Island Trails Revitalization

Memorial Area Walkway Enhancement

Exercise Track and Stations Improvements

Hadrosaurus Foulkii Trail Enhancement

BERLIN PARK

PHILADELPHIA

DELAWARE RIVER

Pennsauken

PHILADELPHIA

Camden Collingswood Haddon Heights

Oaklyn Audubon

Barrington Magnolia

Hi-Nella

GLOUCEST ER

Somerdale

Stratford Laurel Springs

Lindenwold

Clementon

Pine Hill

Phase 1

Phase 2

Phase 3

Phase 4

Other Existing County Trails

Winslow

Camden Colling

Oaklyn ENLARGEMEN T PLAN THE CAMDEN COUNTY LINK TRAIL WILL:

BURLINGTON

• Be a 34-mile active transportation corridor located across the heart of Camden County.

• Be an off-road paved, 12’ wide, all ages and abilities shared-use (pedestrian, bicycle, and other personal mobility devices) path.

• Act as the centerpiece of the County’s planned 550mile bicycle and trail network transecting urban, suburban and rural areas of the county.

• Begin at the Benjamin Franklin Bridge bicycle/pedestrian ramp in the city of Camden, extend through 16 other county municipalities with plans to link with the Atlantic County trail to Cape May Point.

BURLINGTON ATLANTIC

LAUREL RAVINE

MARIA BARNABY GREENWALD

The Camden County Park System’s 24 parks and conservation areas offer over 4,000 acres of natural settings for picnics, family gatherings, sporting events, beautiful waterways for fishing and boating, a wealth of playgrounds and a variety of ball fields that are close to home.

NEW BROOKLYN

PILLINGS LAKE

JOSEPH MARESSA

NEW CAMDEN

PYNE POYNT PARK

VON NEIDA

NEWTON LAKE

SILVER LAKE

WALLWORTH

PENNYPACKER PARK

TIMBER CREEK

WIGGINS WATERFRONT

IMPROVEMENTS BY TYPE

RECREATION PROJECTS

Camden County’s Park System offers a wide array of recreational opportunities. Active recreation features include workout areas for adults, playgrounds for youth and ball fields and courts for all ages.

Passive recreation areas include pavilions and gazebos for picnics and events, memorial areas for remembering and reflection and areas and structures that support wildlife viewing and fishing. This rich variety of amenities lends itself to a park system that has something for everyone.

CHALLENGE GROVE

Baseball Infield Improvements

Parking Repairs

Field Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Improvements

Jake’s Place Upgrades

COOPER RIVER

East of Cuthbert North Park Improvements

Park-wide Upgrades

Jack Curtis Stadium Track and Field Upgrade

Universal Design Playground Improvements

Pavilion & Picnic Area Upgrades

HADDON LAKE

Parking Repairs

Field Repairs

Pavilion & Picnic Area Upgrades

Trail Improvements

Dock Improvements

WALLENBURG GAZEBO

HOPKINS

Parking Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Improvements

Construct Gazebo

NEWTON

Parking Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Improvements

Playground Upgrades

Dock Improvement

NEW BROOKLYN

Replace Hockey with Basketball Courts

Playground Upgrades

Parking Repairs

Volleyball Court Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Improvements

Disc Golf Court Repairs

PENNYPACKER

Parking Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Construction

WIGGINS

Parking Repairs

Lighting Repairs

Replace Benches

Marina Updates

TIMBER CREEK

Parking Repairs

Field Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Improvements

Dog Park Improvements

VON NIEDA

Ball Field Repairs

Sprayground Upgrades

Soccer Field Improvements

WALLWORTH

Parking Repairs

Field Repairs

Trail Improvements

Upgrade Picnic Area

LAKE WORTH

Conservation Area Revitalization

MARIA BARNABY GREENWALD

Parking Repairs

Field Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Improvements

BERLIN

Pedestrian Bridge Improvements

Ball Field Repairs

Replace Picnic Tables and Benches

Trail Improvements

Court Repairs

PYNE POINT

Park Expansion & Improvements

IMPROVEMENTS BY TYPE

WATERWAY PROJECTS

Camden County is largely made up of linear parks surrounded by waterways and man-made lakes dammed in the 1930’s or earlier. The Delaware River and Atlantic Ocean are made up of sub-watersheds and many other smaller watersheds consisting of streams and creeks. These bodies of water were not designed to handle the stormwater of our highly urbanized county, which in turn can lead to a multitude of issues that threaten healthy watersheds.

New watershed plans will allow Camden County to prepare for the future by creating management strategies to improve the health of our water resources. This will allow us to apply for state and federal funding to support these efforts and others like dredging and streambank restoration, fishing and water access, and riparian buffer enhancements.

HADDON LAKE

Watershed Management Plan

Habitat Restoration

Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up

Fishing Dock Enhancement

HOPKINS

Watershed Management Plan

Habitat Restoration

Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up

COOPER RIVER

Watershed Management Plan

Habitat Restoration

Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up

Maintenance Dredge

Bank Stabilization Upgrades

LAKE WORTH

Watershed Management Plan

Habitat Restoration

Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up

GATEWAY

Camden Water Trail Improvement

Construct Kayak/Canoe Dock

MARIA BARNABY GREENWALD

Construct Kayak/Canoe Dock

WIGGINS

Marina Dock Improvements

PARKS ALIVE 2025 INVESTMENTS

COSTS BY TYPE

EVENT SPONSORSHIPS

Camden County Parks offer unique ways for corporations to connect through large scale sponsorships that expose your brand to thousands of park visitors during concerts, festivals, and special events. Event sponsorship, creative media customization, and on-site activations are the ideal way to increase your brand’s visibility and ensure top of mind awareness to residents and visitors alike. Multiple levels of sponsorship ensure that there is an opportunity to connect you a variety of audience segments.

Our sponsorship event packages put you front and center in a variety of ways including: premier placement in digital and online media, social media, event guides, event signage, stage visuals, print advertising, on-site activations, and more. There are even opportunities for a more permanent naming rights of park facilities, pavilions, gardens, picnic areas, and more for an even longer lasting brand presence.

OPPORTUNITIES

Camden County event sponsorship packages are offered for a variety of park events including:

WinterFest

Cooper River Park Music Series

Maria Barnaby Greenwald Memorial Park Childrens Summer Programs

Haddon Lake Park Music Series

Haddon Lake Park Childrens Summer Programs

Lindenwold Park Movie and Concert Summer Program

Lindenwold Park Concert Series

New Brooklyn Park Music Series

Wiggins Park XPoNential Music Festival

Wiggins Park Ike’s Pro Am Bass Tournament

Wiggins Park Main Stage Jazz Series

Wiggins Park Main Stage Freedom Festival

Other Community Events

WIGGINS PARK

DEDICATION PROGRAMS

Through Camden County’s Park Dedication Program, tribute and naming opportunities are available to honor the memory of loved ones, celebrate special occasions, commemorate milestones, or show your business's support of the community. The program offers a variety of available elements throughout the parks system.

OFFERINGS

Park Benches

Gardens Trees

Pathways / Pavers

Gazebos

Pavillions

Playgrounds

Park Maps and Informational Kiosks

Picnic Areas

Sport Areas & Courts

Custom Opportunities

*Memorial Location subject to availability and approval

CAMDEN COUNTY CONSERVANCY PROGRAM

Through this multi-year plan Camden County seeks to develop conservancy programs. In the process of realizing a sizable investment of taxpayer and private funds to improve and build new parks throughout the county, we are poised to develop conservancy programs reflective of the community. This historic investment in the county public realm must be protected. In order to achieve this objective, we strongly believe a thoughtful and workable plan must be developed to provide sustained funding to maintain these parks.

CAMDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr.

Commissioner Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell

Jeffrey L. Nash

Jonathan L. Young, Sr.

Melinda Kane

Al Dyer

Virginia Betteridge

CONSTITUTIONAL ROW OFFICERS

Surrogate Michelle Gentek-Mayer

County Clerk Joseph Ripa

Sheriff Gilbert “Whip” Wilson

Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay