Garden State Times

On Thursday, the Board of Commissioners, along with elected officials, the county Parks Department, and Cherry Hill residents, came together for the grand opening of a new dog park in Cooper River Park. The initiative is part of Parks Alive 2025, a $100 million plan aimed at revitalizing the county's 24 parks, conservation areas, and waterways.

Commissioner Jeff Nash, who serves as the liaison to the Parks Department, expressed excitement about the new dog park, stating, "We are thrilled to open this dog park as it was a highly anticipated project from our residents. We used community feedback to guide us through this process and we think this new space will please everyone so please, bring your furry friends out to the new Cooper River Dog Park."

The Parks Department invested $775,000 in the renovation of the dog park, with construction commencing last fall. The project involved the demolition of existing structures and the construction of a new dog park with separate fenced areas for small dogs, large dogs, and agility equipment. Additionally, a pavilion, benches, and picnic tables were installed for spectator viewing.

Other improvements included the construction of a new parking lot with a stone entrance, concrete ADA parking spaces, and new concrete curbing. New sidewalks were also built to provide direct connections to the dog park entrance and viewing area.

The park now features regulatory and warning signs, topsoil, seeding/sodding, and irrigation, creating a safe and enjoyable space for both dogs and their owners to spend time outdoors.