Spring has arrived, and I encourage all to get outside and enjoy our wonderful Voorhees parks.
Connolly Park, located on Centennial Blvd., is a 49-acre oasis. Acquired by the Township in 2001, it contains two dog runs, one for large dogs and one for small dogs, a half-mile lighted walking and jogging track that includes workout stations, a large grass field for multi-sport usage, a cricket pitch with synthetic turf, an open-air picnic pavilion adjacent to the playground with picnic tables and a tot-lot. Connolly Park is also the home of our Summer Concert Series.
Lions Lake Park is located on Dutchtown Road off of Route 73 and has a community banquet facility. There is a playground with an adjacent open-air pavilion with picnic tables. It is also home to the Voorhees Girls Softball Association, with four fields which are fully lit.
Kirkwood Park, located along Laurel Oak Road behind the Holiday Inn Express, has a lighted softball field, paved walking path, three full basketball courts which were recently resurfaced, a children’s playground, a multi-purpose field, two bocce ball courts, picnic tables and restrooms. The Township also permanently preserved the adjacent 14-acre Kirkwood Forest, enhancing and ensuring the beauty of this natural setting.
The Maiaroto Sports Complex, located on Echelon Road, is home to the Voorhees Soccer Association and host to the Annual Memorial Day Soccer Tournament, one of the largest in the country. The complex includes seven fields, including three with artificial turf, and recently expanded and improved the lighting. It also offers two pickleball courts, a tennis court, and a full basketball court, as well as a fully operational snack bar with restrooms.
Home of the Gibbsboro Voorhees Athletic Association (GVAA) is the Rabinowitz Baseball Complex, located along KressonRoad, with six fenced baseball fields. “Sprinturf Diamonds” have been installed on the Babe Ruth and Majors fields. New LED field lighting was added to the AA field this year. Four of the fields are fully lit. The complex also includes a children’s playground with swings as well as a snack bar and restrooms.
Eastern Junior Vikings Football and Cheer, as well as Voorhees Lacrosse Inc., use the Giangiulio Recreation Complex located along Victor Blvd. The complex includes a lighted athletic field with synthetic turf which is used year-round. A new lacrosse wall with the Voorhees Lacrosse logo was installed last year. In addition, there is a baseball field with lights and a fenced playground. Giangiulio also includes a snack bar and restrooms.
John Hale, Sr. Memorial Park is at the site of the former Voorhees Township Department of Public Works sewer plant on West End Avenue in the Ashland section of town. In partnership with the Ashland Residential Coalition (ARC) and with a grant from the Camden County Open Space Advisory Board, a playground with swings and a picnic pavilion were installed. This park connects to Ashland Woods, a 20-acre tract of forest permanently preserved by the Township.
The historic 140-acre Stafford Farm was acquired by Voorhees Township in 2004, in partnership with the County and State. Half of the property will always be preserved as open space. It is home to the Stafford stagecoach walking trail and a disc golf course. The other half is permanently preserved for agricultural/farming use. In March 2021, the agricultural portion was purchased by Bill Green who invested significant funds to improve the site which is now known as Saddlehill Winery & Vineyards. Saddlehill’s Grand Opening will be on April 10.
The neighborhood playgrounds maintained by the Township are Green Ridge Playground on Round Hill Road, Elliot Playground on Elliot Drive in the Beagle Club, Sandpiper Playground on Willowbrook Way in the Avian Section and Cornell Drive Playground in Lake Villa. A pickleball court was added to the Green Ridge Playground. Voorhees also maintains one full-court and two half-court basketball courts at the Sheppard Road Basketball Park located off of Centennial Blvd.
The Township Committee will continue to work to improve our park system. All of our parks are smoke free and maintained without the use of pesticides.
** The Voorhees Breakfast Rotary Club, in conjunction with Voorhees Township School District, presents artwork by students with autism on April 20 from 10am-4pm in the Town Center inside the mall. Enjoy art displays, a live piano performance and food. For more information, call Alan Stein at 609-320-7876 or email alanfsrotary@gmail.com
** Voorhees Township kicks off its entertainment season with “Live Jazz Night” on April 26 at 6:30pm in the Town Center Food Court. The Budesa Brothers and Jerry Tanenbaum are back by popular demand. For more information, email Stella Sytnik ssytnik@voorheesnj.com or call the Show Hotline (856)882-SHOW.
** The Animal Welfare Association is hosting a 5K Run/Walk and Doggie Fun Day on May 4 at the Voorhees Town Center. The whole event runs from 9am-2pm. The 5K kicks off at 9am. Activities include Tiger Belly Bounce Vet for a Day, Wags & Wiggles Classes, Power Wheels Ride on Cars, Action Karate Demo, Face Painting and more. For more information, visit www.awanj.org/paws-and-fee-5k-run-walk-doggie-fun-day/
** The Voorhees Township Police Foundation is hosting their 8thAnnual Benefit Car Show on Saturday, May 18 from 11am-3pm at the Voorhees Town Center. Proceeds benefit the PD K9 Unit and the Foundation. Entry fee is $20 day of show, no pre-registration. For more information, contact Chuck (856)904-4843, catalano112@verizon.net or Tom (856)524-2588, goatguytom@aol.com
** The Camden County Board of Elections needs poll workers for the upcoming elections. This year the Board of Elections is hiring employees 16 and over.
$300 for the day from 5am – 9pm
Tuesday, June 4 (Primary Election)
Tuesday, Nov. 5 (General Election)
For more information, call (856) 401-8683
