The former Kingston Swim Club was a once-thriving summer hot spot for the community. It closed in 2020 after six decades.
Cherry Hill recently made strides in enhancing its outdoor spaces.
During township council’s Jan. 27 meeting, two projects got the green light to move forward: the purchase of equipment for the newly-designed Sandringham Park in Surrey Place East and the approval of a contract for demolition of remaining structures at the former Kingston Swim Club.
Specifics on the Sandringham Park design are forthcoming. As for the swim club, this once-thriving summer hot spot for the community closed in 2020 after more than 60 years due to declining membership, an outstanding loan and the impacts of COVID.
That year – under then-Mayor Susan Shin Angulo – the township purchased the property and demolished its two pools, basketball courts and other amenities, leaving behind the clubhouse and pavilion. The ultimate goal of the project was – and continues to be – the creation of “an open-grassed, passive and safe recreation area,” as Angulo envisioned it in a Facebook post at the time.
With the forthcoming removal of surviving structures, that vision is closer to reality: A demolition contract was awarded to TTL Services in the amount of $119,950.
“That property was acquired by the township and protected from development, and tonight’s action brings us one step closer to the realization of a flagship park in the Kingston neighborhood,” Mayor Dave Fleisher noted at the council meeting. “Thank you to the residents in both Kingston and Surrey East for their involvement and partnership with these exciting projects.”
In other news, Fleisher’s 2025 open-space and recreation plan got unanimous approval from the township planning board. The plan, developed in partnership with the community, reflects the mayor’s commitment to parks, trails, open-space preservation and wellness.
“This plan aligns with our priorities to protect our open space and ensure our residents have access to parks, trails and other outdoors spaces that support healthy lifestyles,” Fleisher explained. “The plan is based on solid planning principles and will help guide our future conservation and preservation activities over the next decade.”
While an update to the township master plan was adopted in 2018, it didn’t contain a new open-space and recreation plan, which hadn’t been revamped since 2011. The 2025 version will replace and supersede the 2011 plan.
Here are the eight key goals outlined:
- To preserve open space for preservation, conservation and/or recreation
- To preserve sensitive land areas through acquisition of environmentally sensitive areas, such as steep slopes, woodlands, aquifer recharge areas and areas containing unique environmental features
- To preserve and enhance greenways
- To improve the existing open space system throughout the township and provide adequate passive and active recreation opportunities for all ages
- To improve maintenance and maximize the use of existing active recreation parcels
- Promote the importance of and maintenance of passive open space parcels
- To promote health and wellness through active recreation
- To balance environmental conservation with economic development
The township issued several surveys and held a series of public meetings last year to solicit community input on priorities and goals for a new plan.
“I’m thankful to our residents for their participation and input in the development of this plan, and look forward to working together to reach our preservation, conservation and recreation goals,” Fleisher said.
