Cherry Hill Township is moving forward with applications for county open space grants to help fund three maintenance projects.
Council passed resolutions last week authorizing the township to move forward with the applications. The applications are for $25,000 in Camden County Open Space Trust Fund grants.
The areas the grants are being proposed for are the Croft Farm Arts Center, Kenilworth Park and Kingston Park.
Each of the applications is separate. The township has the ability to apply for multiple grants as long as the applications are for different projects.
“We can apply by location,” Director of Recreation Megan Brown said. “We can receive one grant for each location.”
Council was provided with a short synopsis of each project in the resolutions. The first will be the replacement of the HVAC, lighting and sound equipment at the Croft Farm Arts Center. Brown said these aspects are in need of replacement.
“Our initial estimates will allow us to make improvements to the HVAC system and also upgrade the lighting and sound,” she said.
The Kenilworth Park upgrades are focused on the sports fields. If received, the grant money would be used to repave the basketball court and replace the backstop at the softball field. There would also be a covered pavilion added to the park.
The Kingston Park application also focuses on the sports facilities. The grant would pay for a repaving and paint job at the Gene Hart Hockey Rink.
“We’re looking to make improvements to the hockey courts there,” Brown said.
In addition, there would be improvements made to the playground and seating areas at the park.
The township will be sending the applications to the county for review. The county will award the grant later this year.
In other news:
• Council passed an ordinance on second reading to authorize enforcement of the new right turn only signs at Kingston Elementary School. The signs were erected in March in response to growing safety concerns at the school. Meetings were held between parents, the township and school officials to come up with a new traffic flow plan during school arrival and dismissal times.
• The township re-adopted its personnel policies and procedures manual and employee handbook through a resolution. The township updates the manual bi-annually.
• The township is preparing for its fifth annual Art Blooms Earth Festival on April 26 at Croft Farm Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of the festival, the township is accepting entries into the juried art exhibit. Participants may enter up to three pieces for the event. There is a fee of $10 for each work submitted.
The township will receive the art on April 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Croft Farm Arts Center. Go to cherryhillarts.blogspot.com for a full list of rules and guidelines.
• The next Cherry Hill Township council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 28 at 7:30 p.m. in town hall.
