County wants Rainbow Meadow Park to draw more visitors
Rainbow Meadow Park in Delran is getting a substantial upgrade to transform the former peach farm into one of South Jersey’s most scenic and family-friendly destinations.
Burlington County commissioners voted last month to use federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to extend public sewerage on the 126-acre property so a new restroom can be added. Other planned improvements include an expanded parking lot; construction of new accessible trails and creek-side amenities; and a family-friendly area with games like cornhole and table tennis, according to county officials.
Extending public sewerage to the park will also provide a service connection to the Farmers Against Hunger headquarters on site. The commissioners entered into an agreement with the nonprofit in 2020 to allow it to use a 3-acre parcel of the park and former farmstand building for its operations and other activities to promote land stewardship and agriculture.
As part of its mission, Farmers Against Hunger is also developing working crop fields and teaching gardens on the property to grow produce to donate to agencies serving food insecure families in the region.
Located off Creek Road and along the banks of the Rancocas Creek and the Laurel Run stream, Rainbow Meadow Park – previously Laurel Run Park – features passive outdoor recreation like hiking and wildlife watching. It also has a one-mile trail that reaches the edge of Rancocas Creek, where visitors can find a picnic pavilion, grills and parking.
The commissioners approved renaming Laurel Run Park to Rainbow Meadow Park last year to emphasize the acres and acres of peach trees that once graced the property. The county began designing improvements and amenities two years ago at the park, which was farmed by the Anderson family for more than a century before it was bought in 2001 with Green Acres funding.
Among other preliminary improvement plans for the park are:
- An additional 2.5 miles of accessible asphalt trails through the park, continuing the County’s Rancocas Creek Greenway (part of the greater Philadelphia region’s Circuit Trail network), plus 1.25 miles of special woodland and turf trails.
- Two new fishing docks; an accessible kayak launch; three overlook decks; and a scenic family area with tables, benches, and hammocks.
- Large- and small-event lawns for concerts and other events.
Design and permitting for the sewer extension at the park have been completed by Delran, which has agreed to bid for its construction and be reimbursed by the county for the expense.
“Our continuing partnership with the Burlington County Commissioners is a terrific way to improve the infrastructure and, more importantly, the services provided to both the residents of Delran and Burlington County,” said Delran Mayor Gary Catrambone.
Commissioner Allison Eckel, liaison to the Department of Resource Conservation and Parks, touted the county’s park systems.
“…We’re making sure preserved property becomes accessible for all residents to enjoy,” she explained. “Rainbow Meadow Park is a great example, and we’re thrilled to help move these park improvements forward and continue to help Farmers Against Hunger with its mission.”
