PARKS REVITALIZATION PLAN
FRO M TH E CO M M IS S I O NE R S
Louis Cappelli, Jr., Director
Edward T. McDonnell, Deputy Director
Jeffrey L. Nash Parks Liaison
Carmen G. Rodriguez
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Jonathan L. Young, Sr.
Melinda Kane
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
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AN INV ES T M ENT IN O UR F UTUR E What is Parks Alive 2025? What Does This Mean to Our Community?
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IM PRO V EM ENT S BY T Y P E Highlight Projects Infrastructure Projects Trails / Paving Projects Camden County Link Trail Map Recreation Projects Waterway Projects
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FINANC IAL O V ERV IEW Cost By Type
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PO T EN T IAL REV ENUE Dedications / Conservancy Program Sponsorships
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Haddon Lake Park
AN INVES T M EN T IN O UR F UT UR E
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.
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A N IN V ES T M E N T I N O UR F UT UR E
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HADDON LAKE PARK
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.
T O URIS M Enhances facilities and spaces for private and public special events Generates sponsorship revenue Attracts visitors to stay, shop, and dine locally
ENV IRO NM ENTAL 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
EC O NO M IC DEV ELO PM EN T 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
C O M M UNIT Y IDENT IT Y & ENGAGEM ENT Encourages neighborhood relationship building, bonding and networking Enhances community pride
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ARMITAGE PAVILION
A RTS & C U LTURE
S O CIAL EQUIT Y & AC CES S
Attracts events that enrich, educate, and inspire the community
Accommodates residents of all abilities
Provides economic opportunities for local art and artists Promotes concerts, cultural events, and festivals increase local spending
Offers opportunities for all socioeconomic levels to enjoy Provides refuge and distractions for at-risk youth
PUBLIC HEALT H & WELLN ES S
R E C R E AT IO N
Offers physical and psychological benefits
Features spaces to learn, play and practice sports
Improves mood and lowers stress
Reduces boredom and fosters creativity Strengthens children's fine and gross motor skills
ED U C ATIO N 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
S A F E SPA C E S & N E IG H B OR HOODS Reduces crime and drug use Creates informal surveillance Familiarizes residents with their neighbors and builds trust
Fosters the mitigation of health issues and costs Encourages healthy lifestyles and routines for all ages
CO N S ERVAT IO N Preserves habitats, ecosystems, historical sites, and buildings Protects plants and wildlife including endangered species
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IMPR O V EM E N T S B Y T Y P E
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CHALLENGE GROVE PARK
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
C O O PER RIV ER Victims of Terrorism Memorial
GAT EWAY Gateway Park Lighting and Sculpture Project
HO PKIN S PO ND Multi-Use Gazebo for Performances and Events
WIGGIN S Upgrade Wiggins Park Riverstage Lighting System
WALLWO RT H Pavilion Reflecting History of Park System
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COOPER RIVER PARK
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS
ALL PARKS
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.
Maintenance and Infrastructure Improvements
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.
ADA Enhancements Universal Design improvements Historical Building and Stone Structures Restoration Plan
CO O PER RIV ER Gazebo and Picnic Area Upgrade Parking Lot Upgrades
WALLWO RT H Multi-Use Bridge Upgrades
HADDO N LAKE Pedestrian Bridge Replacements Restroom Facility and Picnic Pavilion
BERLIN Pedestrian Bridge Upgrades
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IMPR O V EM E N T S B Y T Y P E
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BERLIN PARK
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.
HADDO N LAKE Trail and Drainage Upgrades
AT C O Atco Lake Conservation Area Trail and Lake Improvements
C O O PER RIV ER Veteran’s Island Trails Revitalization Memorial Area Walkway Enhancement Exercise Track and Stations Improvements Hadrosaurus Foulkii Trail Enhancement
RE R IVE
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PHILADELPHIA
AW A
PHILADELPHIA
R
DE
L
Pennsauken
Camden Camden
Collingswood Oaklyn Audubon
Colling
Haddon Heights Barrington Magnolia
Oaklyn ENLARGEMENT PLAN
Somerdale
BURLINGTON
Hi-Nella Stratford Laurel Springs
GLOUCESTER
Lindenwold
T HE CBURLINGTON AM DEN C O UNT Y LIN K T RAIL WILL:
Clementon
Pine Hill
• 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 Winslow
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Other Existing County Trails
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 16ATLANTIC other county municipalities with plans to link with the Atlantic County trail to Cape May Point.
ATLANTIC
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1
ATCO LAKE
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CAMDEN COUN T Y PARK S SYSTEM
HADDON LAKE
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2
24 BERLIN PARK
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HOPKINS POND
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4 12
9
3
22
676
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16
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23 3
CHALLENGE GROVE
KIRKWOOD LAKE
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8
10 20
COOPER RIVER
295
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9 19
LAKE WORTH
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11
17
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EVANS POND
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LAUREL RAVINE
12
6
13 GATEWAY PARK
MARIA BARNABY GREENWALD
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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.
SILVER LAKE
NEW BROOKLYN
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NEW CAMDEN Camden County Parks Municipal or other Open Spaces Pinelands Conservation Areas Additional overlays planned with new interactive parks webpage to include:
Wildlife Management Area LINK Trail Dog Parks Playgrounds Athletic Fields Outdoor Amphitheaters Walking/Bike Paths and More!
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13
20
TIMBER CREEK
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15
JOSEPH MARESSA
NEWTON LAKE
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16
PENNYPACKER PARK
VON NEIDA
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1
PILLINGS LAKE
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WALLWORTH
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PYNE POYNT PARK
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WIGGINS WATERFRONT
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IMPR O V EM E N T S B Y T Y P E
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WALLENBURG GAZEBO
RECREATION PROJECTS
CHALLENGE GRO V E
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.
Field Repairs
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.
Baseball Infield Improvements Parking Repairs Replace Picnic Tables and Benches Trail Improvements Jake’s Place Upgrades
CO O PER RIV ER East of Cuthbert North Park Improvements Park-wide Upgrades Jack Curtis Stadium Track and Field Upgrade Universal Design Playground Improvements Pavilion & Picnic Area Upgrades
HADDO N LAKE Parking Repairs Field Repairs Pavilion & Picnic Area Upgrades Trail Improvements Dock Improvements
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HO P K IN S
T IM BER C REEK
Parking Repairs
Parking Repairs
Replace Picnic Tables and Benches
Field Repairs
Trail Improvements
Replace Picnic Tables and Benches
Construct Gazebo
Trail Improvements
N E W TON
Dog Park Improvements
Parking Repairs
V O N N IEDA
Replace Picnic Tables and Benches
Ball Field Repairs
Trail Improvements
Sprayground Upgrades
Playground Upgrades
Soccer Field Improvements
Dock Improvement
WALLWO RT H
N E W B R O O K LYN
Parking Repairs
Replace Hockey with Basketball Courts
Field Repairs
Playground Upgrades Parking Repairs Volleyball Court Repairs Replace Picnic Tables and Benches Trail Improvements Disc Golf Court Repairs
PE N N Y PA CK ER Parking Repairs Replace Picnic Tables and Benches Trail Construction
W IG G IN S Parking Repairs Lighting Repairs Replace Benches Marina Updates
Trail Improvements Upgrade Picnic Area
LAKE WO RT H Conservation Area Revitalization
M ARIA BARN ABY GREEN WAL D 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
PYN E PO INT Park Expansion & Improvements
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IMPR O V EM E N T S B Y T Y P E
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.
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C O O PER RIV ER Watershed Management Plan Habitat Restoration Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up Maintenance Dredge Bank Stabilization Upgrades
LAKE WO RT H Watershed Management Plan
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.
Habitat Restoration Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up
GAT EWAY Camden Water Trail Improvement Construct Kayak/Canoe Dock
HADDON L A K E Watershed Management Plan Habitat Restoration
M ARIA BARNABY GRE E N WAL D Construct Kayak/Canoe Dock
Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up
WIGGIN S
Fishing Dock Enhancement
Marina Dock Improvements
HO P K IN S Watershed Management Plan Habitat Restoration Pollution Removal & Trash Clean-Up
FIN A NCIAL O V E R V I EW
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PARKS ALIVE 2025 INVESTMENTS Parks Revitalization Plan $55,849,000 Newton Creek Water Quality Project
$25,000,000
LINK Trail Design and Grant Funds
$10,000,000
Open Space Purchases $3,200,000 Open Space Maintenance and Purchasing
$6,000,000
Parks Alive 2025 Total $100,049,000
COSTS BY TYPE PLANNING & DESIGN
CONSTRUCTION COSTS
TOTAL
INFRASTRUCTURE, HISTORICAL
$325,000
$2,150,000
$2,475,000
MAINTENANCE
$100,000
$2,500,000
$2,600,000
RECREATION
$2,046,000
$26,390,000
$28,436,000
TRAILS, PAVING
$642,500
$6,238,000
$6,880,500
WATERSHED, WATER ACCESS
$852,500
$8,555,000
$9,407,500
WOW FACTOR
$745,000
$5,305,000
$6,050,000
TOTALS
$4,711,000
$51,138,000
$55,849,000
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POT E N T I A L R EVE N UE
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WIGGINS PARK
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.
O PPO RT UNIT IES 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
SPONSORSHIP POTENTIAL REVENUE ANNUALLY
$150,000
Wiggins Park Main Stage Freedom Festival Other Community Events
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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.
O FFERIN GS Park Benches Gardens Trees Pathways / Pavers Gazebos Pavillions
CONSERVANCY POTENTIAL REVENUE MULTI- YEAR TERM
$125,000
Playgrounds Park Maps and Informational Kiosks Picnic Areas Sport Areas & Courts Custom Opportunities
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.
*Memorial Location subject to availability and approval
CAMDEN COUNTY BO ARD O F C O M M IS S IO N ERS Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. Commissioner Deputy Director Edward T. McDonnell Jeffrey L. Nash Carmen G. Rodriguez Jonathan L. Young, Sr. Melinda Kane Al Dyer
CONSTI TUT IO N AL RO W O FFICERS Surrogate Michelle Gentek-Mayer County Clerk Joseph Ripa Sheriff Gilbert “Whip” Wilson Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay