The Freeholder Board will be entering an auction to save an important, historic property in Cherry Hill Township. This initiative will position the Freeholders towards acquiring an environmentally sensitive piece of property for preservation, with Camden County Open Space funds and providing residents the ability to enjoy the land for perpetuity.
Freeholder Jeffrey Nash has taken the lead in partnership with other possible funding entities to save the club.
“In Camden County we have only a few large open parcels that contribute to our special way of life and it is vital to ensure that this land remains green,” Nash said. “As a natural area this club should stay a golf course or become a park that would be a benefit to everyone in the county.”
Woodcrest Country Club is a 155-acre, par-71 layout in the southwest corner of Cherry Hill adjacent two heavily traveled county roadways, between Route 561 and Evesham Road. The facility lies geographically in the center of Camden County. The golf club dates back to 1929, when Camden City’s Jewish population was barred at other golf courses and started their own.
The county will be contributing 10 percent of the starting bid for the property and participate in an auction being sponsored by the current owner of the club Sun Bank. Woodcrest Country Club has been mired in financial difficulties for years and has been put up for auction which will be held on May 20.
“We have heard concerns from residents of the County and community stakeholders in Cherry Hill and we believe this is an ideal property to protect from residential and commercial development,” Nash said. “At its essence the Camden County Open Space Fund was created to save properties just like Woodcrest and we are going to put our best foot forward to preserve this property.”
Cherry Hill Township has played an active role in supporting this project.
“As the largest piece of green space left in this Township, it is imperative that we do everything in our power to protect it from development that could change the entire landscape of our community,” Mayor Chuck Cahn said. “Through the county’s participation in this auction, we give the residents of Cherry Hill a seat at the table and, most importantly, a say in the future of this property. I am grateful to the Freeholders for their support.”
