Construction of new park, changes to summer camp program highlight changes in Mt. Laurel Township this year.
Three items discussed during various Mt. Laurel Council meetings in 2014 are coming to fruition early in 2015.
The township is kicking off the year with changes to its summer camp program, a new date and location for one of its largest community events, Taste of Mt. Laurel and construction of a proposed park on Elbo Lane.
After discussing each of the topics during different points in 2014, the township has unveiled what will be new and different in Mt. Laurel this year.
Mt. Laurel Summer Camp
It may only be January, but the township’s recreation department already has summer on its minds.
After having enrollment drop to less than 100 children the past two years, the township is making a number of changes to the program this year.
For the first time, the program will have extended hours from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Previously, the camp ran from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Township manager Maureen Mitchell said the extended hours are being introduced to help accommodate working parents.
Additional discounts have also been added this year. The program will have a discount for families with multiple children. In addition, the township is running early bird registration where parents can get $100 off full-day registration and $50 off half-day registration. Early bird registration runs through April 30.
“We have a great lineup of field trips and activities to keep everyone active and entertained this summer,” Mitchell said.
A full list of this year’s field trips, as well as registration information, can be found atwww.mountlaurel.com.
Taste of Mt. Laurel moving to March
One of the largest community events on the township calendar is shifting to a new date and location in 2015.
The township is moving its annual Taste of Mt. Laurel event from its former January date to March and from Hartford School to Harrington Middle School. This year’s event will be on Thursday, March 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
There were two main reasons the township moved the event. Township manager Maureen Mitchell said they are hoping to have better weather for the event in the spring.
The move to Harrington Middle School also allows more residents to attend. The event has filled the Hartford School all-purpose room the last few years. Mitchell said parking became an issue the last few years.
“Harrington has a larger parking area to accommodate the growing crowds,” she said.
More details, including a list of participating eateries, will be available as the event draws closer.
Elbo Lane Park
A proposed park at the corner of Hainesport-Mt. Laurel Road and Elbo Lane is finally going to begin taking shape in 2015.
Mt. Laurel Council has discussed constructing the park since it received a $100,000 grant for the project from Burlington County in October 2013. The township purchased the land in 2007 with the intention of beautifying the area and giving residents an additional park for recreation activities.
Council received designs for the park in 2014. The designs included a walking and biking trail circling the perimeter of the property. The trail will wind up and down the existing terrain.
Mitchell said the park’s design has been finalized and construction will begin shortly.
“Construction will begin in the spring once the weather breaks,” she said.
There is no timetable on when the park will be completed. Mitchell said completion depends on how soon the weather turns warm and construction can begin.
