The grand opening of the Swede Run Fields is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Moorestown’s dogs will have their first-ever park to call their own. The grand opening of the Swede Run Fields is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m., nearly one year after construction began.
The event will feature representatives from the Burlington County freeholders as well as Moorestown Township Council. Moorestown’s AMP Rotary Club has also coordinated with the Burlington County Animal Association to have foster dogs available for adoption that day.
Moorestown’s director of recreation, Theresa Miller, said the park will be open from dawn to dusk and features equipment for dogs to exercise with separate areas for dogs based on size. Small dogs, less than 35 pounds, and larger dogs, more than 35 pounds, will utilize different areas of the park.
The park will feature exercise equipment for dogs, and for their owners, the park features picnic tables and benches. The impetus for the park’s creation came directly from residents, Miller said.
“Residents were asking for their dogs to run and play in a safe area,” Miller said.
Construction on the facility began in October 2016 and was essentially completed in May. Miller said turf issues and other items that arose delayed the park’s grand opening.
The total cost of construction was $353,169, Miller said. The township received a $180,000 grant from the Burlington County Municipal Park Development Program toward the cost.
The location was chosen as Swede Run provides ample open space but is away from residents, Miller said. In January, council approved the site’s signage, which details the location’s history. The sign provides a timeline of the Swede Run barn present at the location. The barn was built in the early 1880s and was passed along by members of the Lippincott family until the township acquired it as open space in 2001.
Miller said the park’s opening aligns with the mission of the Moorestown Parks and Recreation Department.
“[The mission] is to serve the needs and interest of Moorestown Township residents by providing constructive and creative leisure opportunities through the continuation and development of facilities and programs that strengthen community life,” Miller said.
The Burlington County SPCA will be on site on Sunday, Sept. 10 with information, and MoorArts will provide face painting. Free dog treats will be available to Moorestown’s furrier residents, while children in attendance can make dog toys.
