(Pennsauken, NJ) – Next month, the Board of Commissioners will begin a transformative $2.5 million construction project for the William G. Rohrer Children’s Playground. This playground on North Park Drive in Pennsauken is a significant amenity for the 347-acre park and is used by hundreds of children and families on a daily basis. Out of the more than 4,100 acres of parkland and greenspace throughout the county the Cooper River Park playground gets more use than any other playground in the park system.
Work included in this project consists of:
- Installation of new playground and fitness areas
- Including poured-in-place rubber with an underdrain system.
- Construction of new concrete sidewalks for pedestrian circulation.
- Construction of park amenities, including drinking fountain, waste receptacles, shade structure, picnic tables and benches.
- Electrical and plumbing utility work for the installation of the new irrigation system and drinking fountains.
- Landscape, topsoil and seeding
“These enhancements at Cooper River Park are part of our larger effort to make all Camden County parks and green spaces top destinations here in South Jersey for residents and visitors,” said Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the Parks Department. “This playground is in perpetual use, which is exactly why we built it, so it’s satisfying to know how many kids have played on it and how many families have made memories here. That said, because of the volume it was time for a face lift for this beloved place.”
The project is being funded through a $1.7 million grant from the state’s Green Acres Program and a $750,000 Urban Parks grant.
Cooper River Park, planned and engineered more than 100 years ago by Charles Levitt, encompasses 346 acres through Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Collingswood and Haddon Township. In addition to the playground, the park’s amenities include: the Camden County Boathouse, pavilions, a softball field, a cross country course, the Camden County Golf Academy, the Cooper River Yacht Club, two bike trails, Jack Curtis Stadium, a track, picnic areas, a bocce court and more. As a tri-state destination, Cooper River Park, was named a Great Place in New Jersey by the American Planning Association-New Jersey Chapter (APA-NJ). In addition, it is the home of the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, the largest high school and college rowing competition in the nation.
