Haddon Lake Park Ready for Anglers

Camden County's rejuvenated Haddon Lake Park, which borders Audubon and Mt. Ephraim, was stocked with 400 brook trout to be ready for anglers when the season opened on April 13, according to Freeholder Laurelle A. Cummings.

The state Division of Fish and Wildlife also conducted preseason stocking at Oak Pond in Sicklerville and Rowands Pond in Clementon. These Camden County ponds are scheduled for additional in-season stockings of rainbow and brown trout, and officials plan to request similar restockings at Haddon Lake, said Freeholder Cummings, liaison to the county Parks Department.

"Now that the Freeholders have completed this project, Haddon Lake is more beautiful - and popular - than ever. Now that it's spring, residents of all ages are again flocking to the park to walk, jog or play, and we anticipate a lot more fishing," Freeholder Cummings said.

Fishing has been curtailed since October 2000 while the Camden County Board of Freeholders carried out a major overhaul of Haddon Lake Park, located off Kings Highway near the Black Horse Pike. During the project, fish were relocated while 59,000 cubic yards of dredge spoils were removed and the bank stabilized using natural and man-made methods. The dam was repaired and fences erected along a new promenade. New playground equipment was installed, and a mile-long, lighted walkway built around the lake for walkers and joggers also provides access for Camden County Park Police. An emergency boat launch also was constructed.

The $1.3 million project, which was completed this January, stalled briefly last summer when the original contractor defaulted and a new company was engaged to complete the dredgework and bank stabilization. During this time, the Freeholders periodically sent letters to residents of both Audubon and Mt. Ephraim to keep them abreast of how work was progressing.

"On behalf of the Freeholders, I commend the residents, officials and the entire communities of Audubon and Mt. Ephraim for their patience during this extremely worthwhile project. I also want to thank everyone who has expressed their appreciation - either in person, by mail or phone - for the new and improved Haddon Lake Park," Freeholder Cummings said.

Freeholder Cummings also noted the experience gained during the Haddon Lake project has proven helpful to the County in its preparations to conduct a similar, but smaller scale dredging project at Newton Lake Park in Collingswood later this year.

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Author: Press Release-Kevin McElroy