08108 Collingswood | Spring 2024

WHICH SPRING FLOWER DO YOU PREFER?

TULIPS OR DAFFODILS? WE ASKED OUR NEIGHBORS, HERE’S WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY!

Rose - I like Tulips because they're similar to roses

Nazih - I prefer Tulips

Anne - I like Tulips

Jayden - I like Tulips because of the colors

Andrew - I like Tulips

EDITOR

To Advertise, please call: (856)779-3800 x6920 or email: brought@newspapermediagroup.com COLLINGSWOOD

Letter from the Editor:

Hello 08108! Oh spring, you are here at last! So excited to enjoy the warmer weather, hear the birds chirping and watch the beautiful flowers bloom. I am also excited for you to check out our Spring edition magazine dedicated to the lifestyle and community of Collingswood.

We start our issue with the Trailblazers Trolley Tour celebrating the contributions of Black-owned businesses. It was a sold-out event through Ida’s Bookshop and Haddon Township Equity Initiative to honor Black history, celebrate diversity, highlight the rich history of innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute to a more inclusive South Jersey community. There were two sessions where 30 plus history-seekers were able to hop on and hop off the trolley for an experience that supported cultural, creative and culinary Black-owned businesses and vendors along Haddon Avenue, from Camden to Haddon Township to Collingswood. Learn all about the tour and more starting on page 6.

Next we catch up with Sustainable Collingswood, also known as the Green Team. Their annual Green Festival in April marks 15 years this year. And as they mark a milestone, Sandi Kelly, lead coordinator for the borough’s Green Team, said it’s all about continuing education. Kelly noted they are working to drum up the festival post pandemic. Visitors can learn about rain barrels, composting, trees, recycling, native plants, pollinator gardens, electric vehicles on display, the bike share program, you name it! It

was formed back in 2009 by commissioner Joan Leonard, a lifelong environmentalist. Collingswood has been at the forefront of creating an electric vehicle infrastructure and continues to work on the framework for the bike and pedestrian masterplan with Haddon Township and continues to focus on food insecurity and food equity. Check it all out starting on page 9.

We round our issue with excitement – the borough is moving forward with pocket park concept design plans at Haddon and Woodlawn avenues. And the opportunities are endless for the area in downtown Collingswood. Pop-up events, vigils, movie nights, you name it! These type of events naturally gravitated to the area relatively by accident. The site has had different uses over the years from a gas station to a garden center to just being vacant. In March, Collingswood Mayor James “Jim” Maley Jr. and the borough’s board of commissioners approved a resolution authorizing a bid for the construction of a new pocket park for the intersection. The approval marks a significant step forward in the borough’s efforts to enhance community spaces in the downtown area with the addition of ‘third places’ where people can gather and socialize. “We are limited in our public spaces,” said Sandi Kelly, project consultant for the borough. She added the pocket park provides that formal town square piazza that is missing in downtown Collingswood. Learn all about what is in store starting on page 10.

Also check out Keeping up with Collingswood for future community events. All of this and more awaits on the pages ahead!

Enjoy!

Kathy Chang Editor

Spring 2024 Contributors

Kathy Chang

Andrea Mendoza

Jennifer Amato

Trailblazers Trolley Tour Celebrates Contributions of Black-Owned Businesses

IDA’S BOOKSHOP AND HADDON TOWNSHIP EQUITY INITIATIVE COORDINATED SOLD-OUT EVENT

By Jennifer Amato

Taking a trolley ride is fun, but when you combine it with learning information you may have never known before, it becomes a whole different experience.

The Trailblazers Trolley Tour was held on February 25 to honor Black history, celebrate diversity, highlight the rich history of innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute to a more inclusive South Jersey community – especially during Black History Month.

There were two sessions where 30 plus historyseekers were able to hop on and hop off the trolley for an experience that supported cultural, creative and culinary Black-owned businesses and vendors along Haddon Avenue, from Camden to Haddon Township to Collingswood.

“The South Jersey region boasts a wealth of significant history, from the resilience of those who fought against slavery to the pivotal role played by local activists in the Civil Rights Movement and this history even includes local youth who protested just last year against social injustice,” said Jeannine Cook, owner of Ida’s Bookshop and coordinator of the tour. “These stories serve as powerful reminders of the enduring spirit and determination of trailblazers in shaping our collective heritage.”

The Trailblazers Trolley Tour led by Starfire was inspired by the Sisterhood Sit-In Trolley Tour that Cook started alongside her blood sister, Minista Jazz, in 2021 at her sister bookshop, Harriett’s Bookshop, in Philadelphia. The Sisterhood Sit-In Trolley Tour returned to Philly in March, gathering hundreds of new shoppers to visit local Black women-owned businesses during Women’s History Month, Cook said. Visit sisterhoodsitin.com for more information.

“The (Trailblazers) tour emerged from a collective desire to continue our three-year-long collaboration

by turning our attention to celebrating the oftenoverlooked contributions of trailblazers like, Ida B. Wells,” said Cook, who collaborated with members of the Haddon Township Equity Initiative to sponsor the event.

The purpose was so that everyone taking part could learn and share about the past, present and future along the way. And residents felt the same way, because the tour sold out in just three days! If you weren’t able to get tickets, you can use the map of the event to support these businesses year-round

“Celebrating history annually is paramount as it provides a dedicated space to honor and uplift the legacies of pioneers, innovators and trailblazers. It serves as a vital platform for education, reflection and dialogue, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of culture and contributions,” Cook said.

Ida’s Bookshop has celebrated another win in recent weeks. The bookstore, which celebrates women authors and activists, faced a significant increase in rent. Cook established a GoFundMe campaign to raise the $23,000 she needed to stay in business. As of press time, the Raise the Rent Party garnered more than $26,000 to keep the beloved community shop in town for another year while she tries to find a new, permanent location in Collingswood.

“I must shout out the incredible support and dedication of Ida’s Bookshop customers who continue to play a pivotal role in saving this cherished institution,” Cook said. “Their unwavering solidarity and advocacy underscore the importance of engagement and organizing in preserving culture and community. It was during the Raise the Rent Party that we began to conceive of this powerful event, The Trailblazers Trolley Tour. So, thank you for your continued inspiration.” — 08108

Ida’s Bookshop is located at 734 Haddon Ave., For more information, visit www.oursisterbookshops.com or call 267-241-2617.

PHOTOS BY ANDREA MENDOZA

Ida’s Bookshop and Haddon Township Equity Initiative coordinated the Trailblazers Trolley Tour to honor Black history, celebrate diversity, highlight the rich history of innovation, promote entrepreneurship, and contribute to a more inclusive South Jersey community – especially during Black History Month.

Spring time means

Green Time

FROM GOING GREEN TO FOOD INSECURITY, SUSTAINABLE COLLINGSWOOD WORKS TO ADDRESS IT ALL

And as they mark a milestone, Sandi Kelly, lead coordinator for the borough’s Green Team, it’s all about continuing education.

Kelly noted they are working to drum up the festival post pandemic. It was formed back in 2009 by commissioner Joan Leonard, a lifelong environmentalist.

Visitors can learn about rain barrels, composting, trees, recycling, native plants, pollinator gardens, electric vehicles on display, the bike share program, you name it!

By Kathy Chang

As spring arrives, the wheels of Sustainable Collingswood, also known as the Green Team, are spinning.

They are gearing up for their annual Green Festival, which marks 15 years this year. Whether you are an eco-friendly expert or just getting started on your own green initiatives, the Collingswood Green Day provides opportunities and resources to support you on your journey to sustainable living.

Collingswood has been at the forefront of creating an electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, which falls in line with supporting Gov. Phil Murphy’s goal of 330,000 EVs by 2025.

There are two centralized Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCS) at the public parking garage at the Lumberyard, located at W. Collings and N. Atlantic avenues.

The Level 2 EVCS is located in the central area of the Lumberyard garage.

A place to ‘gather and connect’

BOROUGH MOVING FORWARD WITH POCKET PARK CONCEPT DESIGN PLANS AT HADDON AND WOODLAWN

AVENUES

By Kathy Chang

The opportunities are endless for the intersection of Haddon and Woodlawn avenues in downtown Collingswood. Pop-up events, vigils, outdoor movie nights, you name it!

These type of events naturally gravitated to the area relatively by accident. The site has had different uses over the years from a gas station to a garden center to just being vacant.

The borough bought the space with expectations. However, it was 2009. And if you remember – the great economic recession - which led to many false starts for the area, Sandi Kelly recalled.

Kelly, who wears many hats, is a project consultant of SLK Community Consulting for the borough.

The area sat vacant for years until Groove Ground Coffeebar at 647 Haddon Ave. and the borough came to an agreement for the business to use the space for a sitting area and extra parking during the pandemic.

Fast forward to March 2024. Collingswood Mayor James “Jim” Maley Jr. and the borough's board of commissioners approved a resolution authorizing a bid for the construction of a new pocket park for the intersection.

The approval marks a significant step forward in the borough’s efforts to enhance community spaces in the downtown area with the addition of “third places” where people can gather and socialize.

“We are limited in our public spaces,” Kelly said, adding the pocket park provides that formal town square piazza that is missing in downtown Collingswood.

The concept for the pocket park, developed by local architect Speizle and informed by input from adjacent businesses and members of the Creative and Green Teams, aims to transform the area into a versatile space for both everyday use and special events, according to a press release about the pocket park.

The borough presented a working concept for the area. Last year, the borough sold the garage building in the back half of the site to a developer who is leasing the site to Sara’s Produce, which is currently located downtown and looking to expand. Construction for that expansion has recently started.

The proposed pocket park is approximately 3,000 square feet – 60 feet long by 50 feet wide, Kelly said.

“The borough has hosted quite a few events at this location over the last few years so we have a good idea of how it could be laid out for events and as a passive space for people to gather. It’s right in the center of town so it makes for a perfect location,” Maley said.

see POCKET PARK page 12

POCKET PARK 08108

from page 11

Over the years, the borough has held various events, from pop-up vigils and holiday festivities to movie nights, highlighting the location’s potential as a vibrant hub for the Collingswood community. Preliminary survey results from the borough’s recreation masterplan further underscored residents’ desire for a space like this, with “pocket park” emerging as a popular feature residents would like to see. The draft of that plan is expected to be completed this spring.

Input from the Green Team and Creative Team provided direction to emphasize sustainability and creativity into the design. Features such as rain barrels, native plants, bike racks, and a mural, envisioned as a “Greetings from Collingswood” style artwork, will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal but also promote environmental sustainability and community pride. The Borough plans to engage a local artist to design the mural and involve the Green Team in the selection of native plants.

The park’s design also prioritizes flexibility to accommodate events both large and small while also serving residents and visitors with a place to gather downtown.

“We are excited to move forward with the construction of this project,” said Commissioner Rob Lewandowski. “Our goal is to deliver a space that reflects the vibrant spirit of Collingswood, where residents can gather and connect or just enjoy lunch or a cup of coffee.”

Kelly said they are looking forward to continuing the pop-up events along with passive recreation for all from story time for the kids to senior yoga.

Security cameras, water access, lighting, and electricity will also be incorporated into the final plans to ensure functionality and safety.

Pending a successful bidding process, the borough expects construction to begin in the summer, with hopes of unveiling the completed pocket park to the community soon thereafter. — 08108

For more information and updates on the pocket park project, visit Collingswood.com.

GREEN TIME 08108

from page 9

And secured funding through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, and PSE&G will expand the availability of EVCS in Collingswood.

Moving from electric vehicles to protecting wildlife. Did you know about 100 back yards in the borough are certified through Certified Wildlife Habitat, a program through National Wildlife Federation?

Anyone can create a welcoming haven for local wildlife. Turning your yard, balcony container garden, schoolyard, work landscape, or roadside greenspace into a Certified Wildlife Habitat is fun, easy and can make a lasting difference for wildlife, according to its website.

“It’s more of a self-certification with guidance from local groups,” Kelly said.

The National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest and most trusted conservation organization, works across the country to unite Americans from all walks of life in giving wildlife a voice, the website states.

And as Sustainable Collingswood looks ahead, the borough continues to work on the framework for the bike and pedestrian masterplan with Haddon Township and continues to seek grants through the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission.

During the pandemic, the organization spent a significant focus on food insecurity and food equity during the pandemic. This work continues today.

They partnered with Virtua Health to host a food market year found for those in need to purchase inexpensive produce. Kelly said the market is open to anyone, not only those in the EBT SNAP (Electronic Benefit Transfer Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program), formerly food stamps.

Kelly said EBT SNAP is accepted at the Collingswood Farmers Market, which began last year.

They also work with the food pantry at the Collingswood Public Schools. — 08108

The annual Green Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at Haddon and Irvin avenues. To learn more about Sustainable Collingswood visit Collingswood. com