Freeholder Deputy Director Balvir Singh, liaison to Department of Resource Conservation, gave a presentation on Monday night to Willingboro Town Council to discuss the planned improvement projects for Willingboro Lakes Park.
The presentation, which carefully considered the existing conditions of the park, contained a substantial increase in funding from the original proposal. The new park budget is $2.45 million in total improvements, an $850,000 increase.
“The Department of Resource Conservation has done substantial outreach to the surrounding community about what families want to see in the park,” wrote Deputy Director Balvir Singh. “We greatly value the opportunity to receive input from our residents about improvements to our County Park system. The public provides us the critical framework needed to make decisions about what projects to fund in our park system.”
Willingboro Lakes is a 105 acre parcel located on Route 130 and Beverly-Rancocas Road in Willingboro Township. It is a former sand quarry that became a swim club and entertainment venue during the 1950-60s. In 1996, Burlington County and Willingboro Township partnered to preserve the property when a 200 home development was proposed.
Phase one of the improvement project will provide over three miles of new and pathway infrastructure throughout the park. The plan calls for three new fishing peers, extending a collective 342 feet into the lake. A new restroom facility and playground will be located at the new entry area off of Beverly Rancocas road, along with increased parking spaces, as well as new signage throughout the park. The park will also feature a pavilion, new benches, and an outdoor space for lectures and classes.
Willingboro Lakes is a major node in the County’s Rancocas Creek Greenway Trail, which will extend from the Delaware River to Brendan Byrne State Forest. Once completed, the greenway trail will begin at Amico Island Park in Delran, Connect through to Pennington Park in Delanco, then to Willingboro Lakes Park, Laurel Run Park, Boundary Creek and points east along the Rancocas Creek. The Amico to Pennington Segment will be constructed later this year.
Detailed maps of the park improvements can be viewed below:
Attachment 1
Attachment 2