The township is also planning to make other open space upgrades and continue work on its Master Plan.
As the calendar turns to 2019, Cherry Hill Township residents will have a number of things to look forward to. Enhancements to Croft Farm, playground upgrades and an enhanced township website are just some of the new additions residents could see over the next 12 months.
Entering his eighth year in office, Mayor Chuck Cahn believes it is an exciting time in Cherry Hill as he feels the township is setting itself up for sustained success for many years to come.
“We think we’ve made Cherry Hill a vibrant town for future generations, which will provide stability and tax ratables for the future,” Cahn said. “We think we’re doing a very good job of protecting our open space at the same time.”
Open space and recreation upgrades are going to be a big focus for the township in 2019. A big project at Croft Farm is expected to enhance the facilities and provide more space for programs and activities. The township is planning to replace the existing barn studio building and the caretaker’s building next to the Croft Farm Arts Center to construct five new studio buildings.
Cahn described the new buildings as multi-purpose facilities providing more space for everything from yoga and art classes to exhibitions.
“It’s really about the need,” Cahn said. “The need is that our programming has been so good there and the attendance has been so great, that we’ve just outgrown the current facility.”
“We needed more space to do more programming. What better place to do it than a place like Croft Farm?” Cahn added.
Four of the new buildings would have a capacity of 20 people. The fifth building would be slightly larger, holding approximately 30 people.
The Croft Farm upgrades are just two of the open space projects planned for the township in 2019. There are upgrades planned for multiple playgrounds in the township. Cherry Hill is also looking to make some progress on the former Masonic Lodge property just off of Haddonfield-Berlin Road. According to township officials, there are no specific plans for the property yet, but the township will be working with Camden County in 2019 to demolish the old lodge building.
Another feature residents can look forward to in 2019 is a new township website. Cahn said the township wants residents to be able to access information on the township quickly online. The goal of the new website will be to make access to important features easier for residents.
“We want more information, more access for people to get information,” Cahn said. “Although we enhanced (the website) a few years ago, we need to enhance it again to make it easier for people to get information.”
Cherry Hill Township’s 2018 Master Plan brought about a lot of public discussion in October. Cahn said more work will take place on the Master Plan in 2019 and changes could be made based on suggestions from residents. Cahn added residents should reach out to the township if they have specific suggestions on the Master Plan.
A number of events for residents of all ages will be taking place early in 2019. An ensemble concert featuring the cabaret group “Songs I’ll Never Sing & Roles I’ll Never Play” is scheduled for Sunday, March 3 at 3 p.m. at the Croft Farm Arts Center. The township will be holding a character breakfast on Friday, March 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Croft Farm Arts Center. Residents can purchase tickets for both events at https://register.capturepoint.com/cherryhill.
The recreation department is also in the early stages of planning a murder mystery dinner. More details about the new event will be released later in the year.
Cahn encouraged residents to reach out to his office directly about any issue or question regarding the township. Residents can reach the mayor’s office by call (856) 488–7878.
“Contact me directly,” Cahn said. “I get to hear what the issues are firsthand, I can respond directly if I know what the answers are or I can reach out to the people that have the answers.”
