The Township Council is most pleased to announce that it has received a $78,000 Community Development Block Grant, administered by Burlington County, to make ADA handicapped accessible improvements to Still Park, (formally Cranberry Park), which is located behind the Medford Municipal Building and the Cranberry Hall Senior Citizens Center.
Said Mayor Chuck Watson, “The grant funds will be utilized for the re-construction of code compliant handicapped walkways and handicapped ramp curb cuts to provide accessibility to Still Park, which is bordered by Church, Filbert and Mulberry Streets in the historic Village section of Medford Township.” This municipal park includes walking paths, a shuffleboard court, a butterfly garden gifted by the Pinelands Garden Club of Medford, sitting areas and some playground equipment. It is utilized by both the senior citizens who visit Cranberry Hall and by neighborhood families. An accessible picnic area is also proposed to be added as a part of this proposed project.”
Added Deputy Mayor Brad Denn, “Still Park is utilized by the senior citizens who utilize the adjoining Cranberry Hall Senior Center, which is open to any senior citizen who resides in Burlington County. Neighborhood families also use Still Park. The proposed handicapped ramp curb cuts will further facilitate access to the Municipal Building, the Senior Center and Still Park. Due to the high utilization of this public park facility, including its use a senior citizens center, code complaint handicapped accessible walkways and curb cut ramps are required. Reconstruction of the existing walkways and the addition of other walkways adjacent to the senior center and Still Park will allow the Township to expand the current use to all citizens who reside in the neighborhood. Currently, opportunities to implement outdoor programs is limited due to a lack of similar and accessible host facilities/park amenities in the Village.”
Mayor Watson continued “The Township Council renamed the Park in 2016 in honor of Dr. James Still, the noted “Black Doctor of the Pines,” whose home and office were located in Medford. The office still stands on Church Road and is owned by the State of New Jersey as a historical site. The office is managed by the Medford Historical Society and their members as an African-American Educational Center. Members of the Historical Society’s Dr. Still Committee will be adding a monument/bust of Dr. Still with interpretative signage upon completion of the park construction next year.”
The Cranberry Hall Senior Center building and parking lots were made fully code complaint for handicapped accessibility under previous CDBG Grant awards, and with planned enhancements to the Still park area will be able to accommodate all residents and other visitors and offer expanded leisure opportunities.
Work is expected to commence in the spring of 2018.
For more information, contact Kathy Burger, Township Manager & Clerk, at kburger@medfordtownship.com or at 609-654-2608 x334.