Mayor Chuck Cahn, council and freeholders will rededicate Erlton South neighborhood’s playground on June 19.
A $25,000 grant from Camden County, in addition to capital funds from the township, funded the project.
“Every park and playground we have has a natural lifespan and needs to be upgraded,” said Bridget Palmer, township communications director.
According to Ericha Farrington, Recreation Department special events coordinator, new fitness equipment and instructional signs were placed at the park, new swings were installed, two new pieces of climbing and tunneling pieces for children ages 2 to 5 were added, the softball field was reshaped, regraded and resurfaced with new infield dirt and, on June 13, the tennis court will be resurfaced, set for completion on June 18.
Additionally, as part of general maintenance, the park received all new mulch, new swings and new nets for tennis, basketball and hockey, according to Farrington.
Susanne Bromke, president of Erlton South Civic Association, is excited for the finished project.
“Erlton is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Cherry Hill, and when the Erlton School was torn down, the civic association had to fight for it to be turned into a park and not condominiums or worse,” Bromke said. “This all happened many years ago, and the park equipment has not been upgraded since I moved into the neighborhood 13 years ago.
“The park is heavily used by our residents, as well as people from Cherry Park condos down the road. The Erlton South Civic Association has several events in the park every year so we are thrilled it is getting a facelift.”
The township manages 52 parks and playgrounds, according to Palmer.
“This was one of the parks that was coming to the end of the useful life. We applied for any grants we could and we moved forward with the improvements,” Palmer said. “It’s something we do for all the playgrounds across town. Every couple years we do one or two.”
Bromke is happy the playground was finished before Independence Day.
“The civic association is probably the most vocal and active in Cherry Hill,” Bromke said. “We host an annual Independence Day Parade, the Erlton Egg Hunt and Halloween in the park as well as look out for the residents when it comes to township changes that affect Cherry Hill and our neighborhood.”
According to Palmer, rededication of the park will include refreshments and plenty of time for families to get reacquainted with the area.
“Hopefully it will be a nice way to start summer celebration at the new playground the township built for them,” Palmer said.
According to Palmer, the township is an advocate of an active lifestyle for its residents.
“We try to promote recreational activities, especially outdoors when school is over. It gets them outside,” Palmer said.
“It’s definitely something the mayor and council are proud to do. They’re looking forward to celebrating it with everyone.”
To learn more about parks and recreation in Cherry Hill visit, www.cherryhill-nj.com.
