On Monday, Camden County Board of Commissioners unveiled the newly renovated William G. Rohrer Children’s Playground at Cooper River Park. The playground on North Park Drive in Pennsauken is a significant amenity, garnering more visitors than any other playground in the county’s 4,100 acres of parkland.
“This playground has been well loved for many years, so it was time for some much-needed upgrades,” Commissioner Jeffrey Nash, liaison to the Parks Department said. “We know how much this playground means to this community, and we are thrilled to welcome the public back, just in time for summer.”
The $2.5 million project consisted 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
“This is more than just a playground; it is a cherished place that thousands of children and families have flocked to for fun, to connect with their neighbors and to enjoy the beauty that is Cooper River Park,” Commissioner Deputy Director Ed McDonnell said. “Quality, outdoor green spaces provide our residents with endless enrichment and the Board of Commissioners will always invest in the upkeep and improvement of the spaces for those who call Camden County their home.”
The project was funded through a $1.7 million grant from the state’s Green Acres Program and a $750,000 Urban Parks grant.
“Parks and greenspaces are a cornerstone of community connection, and it is our job as elected officials to ensure that they are taken care of,” Assemblyman Bill Moen said. “This transformation of the playground at Cooper River will provide the children and families of South Jersey a dependable place to play and have fun together. Thank you to NJDEP for seeing the importance of investing in these spaces.”
Assemblywoman Melinda Kane explained how the project will positively impact Camden County families.
“This investment in the William G. Rohrer Children’s Playground is an investment in our families, our community, and the joy of childhood,” she said. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in celebrating the renewal of this beloved space where so many memories have been made—and where many more will continue to grow.”
Camden County resident and blogger Holli Carlin discussed how the updated playground will provide all families with something they can enjoy.
“Parents are looking for places that work for their family,” Carlin said. “Whether that means baby swings, toddler play zones, ADA-accessible equipment, stroller-friendly paths, or those magical “parent-and-me” swings that let you actually sit while swinging with your little one (a true gift). This park truly delivers on so many needs for local families.”
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.
