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 and three open-air picnic pavilions including one 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, 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 soccer fields, including three with artificial turf which are fully lit. It also offers a recently added children’s playground with a rubber safe surface, 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 Kresson Road, with six fenced baseball fields. “Sprinturf Diamonds” have been installed on the Babe Ruth and Majors fields. 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 Association use the Giangiulio Recreation Complex located along Victor Blvd. The complex includes a lighted athletic field with synthetic turf which is used year-round. There is a baseball field with lights, a lacrosse wall 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 was 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 was on April 10, 2024, and visitors can enjoy estate-crafted wines, farm-to-table culinary delights, and a peaceful escape from everyday life.

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.

** Voorhees Township’s Annual Free Rabies Clinic will be held on May 3 from 9am-12pm at the Lions Lake Complex. For more information, contact the Township Clerk’s Office at (856)429-7757 or email pets@voorheesnj.com
** The Voorhees Township Police Department is hosting its 9th Annual PD Foundation Benefit Car Show on Saturday, May 3, rain or shine, from 11am to 3pm at the Voorhees Town Center. Proceeds benefit the Voorhees Police Department and the Voorhees Township Police Foundation. Entry fee is $20, no pre-registration. For more information, call Chuck (856)904-4843 or email catalano112@verizon.net; or call Tom (856)52-2588 or email goatguytom@aol.com
** The Animal Welfare Association (AWA) is hosting its 27th Annual Paws & Feet 5K Run/Walk and Doggie Fun Day on Sunday, May 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Cooper River Park in Pennsauken. This signature event unites animal lovers, fitness fans, and families for a day full of fun. All money from Paws & Feet goes straight to AWA’s mission. For more details, to register, or to learn about sponsorship and volunteer options, visit www.awanj.org/paws-and-feet-5k-run-walk-doggie-fun-day/.
** Poll workers are needed – serve your community on Election Day! You need to be a registered voter living in Camden County, have transportation, want to help your neighbors vote, and be ready to get paid $300 for your service. Training will be provided. For more information, call 856-401-8683.