Camden Greenways links more than parks

The idea for an interconnected system of open spaces, parks and recreation areas in the City of Camden dates back to the 1920s, when Cooper River Linear Park was first envisioned to include a scenic boulevard, tidal basin lined with cherry trees and a riverfront park. Today's Camden Greenways project expands that vision dramatically, to include a continuous system of open space for recreation and environmental enhancement along the shorelines of the Cooper and Delaware Rivers and Newton Creek and promotes economic development in adjacent neighborhoods. Through our work in the Camden Greenways project area, NJCF is working to make this vision a reality.

Top: NJCF has assisted the City of Camden in acquiring easements and land along the Cooper River. Bottom: NJCF is a sponsor of the Camden Greenways Bicycle and Walking Tour in October.

NJCF's work on the Camden Greenways project began in the mid-1980s, when we acquired the first conservation and recreation easement from the Will-Son Corporation, a nursing home operator. Since then, NJCF has assisted the City of Camden in acquiring easements and land along the Cooper River, connecting Camden County's Cooper River Park with parks on the Delaware River.

In addition to its acquisition work, NJCF recognizes the opportunity the Greenway plan presents for positive transformation in the community. NJCF's Grants-In-Aid program has provided multiple grants to motivate local citizens' groups to further their organizational development, support strategic planning and incorporate greenways in the City of Camden's Master Plan.

"There's so much focus on the redevelopment of Camden's waterfront," said Chris Jage, NJCF's Assistant Director for South Jersey, "and we are getting involved in ensuring that the greenway is a part of the ongoing redevelopment process, rather than an afterthought. The greenway project is focused on providing parks, trails and natural areas for local residents and their neighborhoods, demonstrating they are as closely intertwined with each other as the rivers are with the city."

One key to that cooperative spirit is Peter Kroll, NJCF's new Camden Greenways Project Manager, hired in January through a generous grant from the William Penn Foundation. Peter is working directly with Camden Greenways, Inc., the latest evolution of the local land conservation proponents that have driven the project since its inception. Kroll provides day-to-day assistance with operations, land acquisition and community outreach from NJCF's Camden Field Office, shared with Camden Greenways, Inc.

"Our work in Camden confronts us with issues that have statewide implications for NJCF in other urban areas," said Kroll. "For example, we're learning how to overcome the technical, regulatory and legal hurdles of converting brownfields into viable parks and natural areas." Brownfields are abandoned, idled or underused industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.

"Establishing greenways in the City of Camden positively impacts its communities by providing areas for safe and accessible recreational, educational and leisure activities," said Daneen Morris, Executive Director of Camden Greenways, Inc. "These greenways also influence economic growth and community development, which ultimately improves the quality of life for all Camden residents."

In addition, the Camden Greenways project helps demonstrate a statewide interconnected greenway in an urban setting. The project is part of the first public planning effort to utilize data from NJCF's Garden State Greenways mapping project. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission incorporated Garden State Greenways data to develop Camden County's greenway-based open space plan.

You can see this remarkable vision for yourself by joining Camden Greenways, Inc. for their Camden Greenway Bicycle and Walking Tour 8:30 a.m., October 7 at New Camden Park, Park Boulevard and Wildwood Avenue. NJCF is a co-sponsor of the event, which will offer 2-, .4- and 8-mile bike rides and a 4-mile walk along the scenic Camden Greenway trail system. For registration information, please contact Camden Greenways, Inc at info@camdengreenways.org or (856) 964-7336.

To learn more about NJCF's conservation efforts in Camden, please contact Peter Kroll at (856) 342-6523 or peter@njconservation.org.