The Collingswood area offers a wide array of recreational activities
By Diana DeSimine
Get outside this summer! Whether it’s to get some fresh air, stretch your legs, play ball, or even get out on the water, the Collingswood area has some great spots to do all those things, and so much more.
In this issue of Collingswood 08108, we highlight some of those spots.
Knight Park is an ideal summer spot located across from Collingswood High School. At about 70 acres of land, Knight Park is worth visiting for shady, peaceful walks among the greenery; for its playgrounds suitable for kids both big and small; for its fishing spots; and for its sport fields.
Knight Park has two basketball courts, a baseball field, and a skatepark. The historic Knight Park House, built in 1888, is worth a sight, especially to watch it flourish as it undergoes extensive restoration projects that began in 2021.
If a day spent by the riverside sounds more appealing to you, Cooper River Park is a large venue that runs along its namesake and connects Collingswood to Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, and Haddon Township. Obviously, it’s great for fishing, but it’s also nice to sit down, have a picnic, and watch the boaters and kayakers – or go out on the water yourself.
Sightseers will also enjoy the sculpture garden, and history buffs will appreciate the busts that depict local historical figures. With a view of the Philadelphia skyline on a clear, sunny day, being at Cooper River Park is an ideal summer spot. Come sundown, music lovers won’t want to miss the Twilight Concert Series, with free music on Thursdays at 8 p.m. at Jack Curtis Stadium. Be sure to check the Camden County website (camdencounty.com) for more information, including group yoga, Zumba, and cardio class dates.
If you’re worried about getting lost in Cooper River Park’s 346 acres, Newton Lake Park, at 103 acres, is a more modest spot located by Cuthbert Boulevard and the White Horse Pike. It’s lovely, taking peaceful walks circling around Newton Lake while spotting herons, geese, and songbirds. The old, brick hut is a memorable fixture in the park, as is the World War II memorial statue.
Fans of Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie may be delighted to find out that a memorial bench dedicated to TV star Michael Landon, who was raised in Collingswood and attended the local high school, is located overlooking Newton Lake.
A dedication of the bench was recently held on May 20.
Haddon Lake Park is about a 10-minute drive from Collingswood, taking you to the Mt. Ephraim and Audubon area, but it’s worth a visit when you find yourself in the area.
The 73-acre outdoor spot runs along Kings Highway and the Black Horse Pike, and provides a picnic area, an amphitheater, and bike paths. Throughout the summer, free concerts co-hosted by Camden County and XPN will be held on Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. at the McLaughlin Norcross Memorial Dell as part of the Sundown Music Series. This summer’s line-up includes singer-songwriter Don McCloskey, alt rock star Aimee Mann, and Tex-Mex indie rock band Calexico.
Camden County offers some neat spots to take in natural beauty, and with the sports fields, free concerts, fitness classes, and convenient closeness to businesses, dining spots, and home, it’s hard to think of any better reason to spend the day at the park.
