At the beginning of the summer, Cherry Hill Township released an expanded Summer Arts and Entertainment schedule that included an outdoor opera, an expanded Music Under the Stars concert series schedule, and new classes and activities at the Croft Farm Arts Center.
With the summer winding down, The Cherry Hill Sun was wondering how many residents were actually participated or were interested in these events. We talked to numerous residents visiting Challenge Grove Park near Brace Road last week to see what activities they’ve participated in this summer.
One of the most popular activities for families was the township’s recreation department programs. Erin Breck got her 4-year-old daughter Elizabeth enrolled in swimming and tennis classes. Elizabeth enjoyed it so much, she is going to continue participating in the future.
“We’re actually going to continue it in the fall,” Erin said.
Mother Megan Alayo was also impressed with the immense number of summer activities for township children. Her daughter, Alana, participated in the rec department’s Morning Fun summer camp.
“I did want to sign her up for other activities, but we didn’t get around to it,” Megan said.
Resident Sarah Renshaw doesn’t attend many of the township’s events, but she did enroll her daughter in an art camp at Croft Farm. When it comes to family time, however, she prefers to do her own activities with her children.
“We come here because it’s so great for the kids,” she said.
Cherry Hill resident and grandmother Peggy Taylor likes to bring her grandchildren to the parks in the township. They haven’t participated in any of the township’s summer activities, however.
“Before, we’ve done the programs at Croft Farm, but the kids are getting older now,” Taylor said.
Cherry Hill added an extra concert to Music Under the Stars this year. The concert series wrapped up on Aug. 5.
Sofia Economou said she doesn’t participate in many of the township’s activities, but the concerts are something they are interested in.
“We enjoy the Barclay Farmstead,” she said. “We go occasionally if there was someone good playing.”
Many residents are still unhappy with one event removed from Cherry Hill’s summer schedule. The township cancelled the fireworks in June due to safety concerns at Cherry Hill High School West.
Erin Breck thought the township should have expanded its firework show rather than cancel it altogether.
“If it was so popular, why didn’t they have two of them?” she asked.
Economou attends the fireworks each year with her family and was not pleased about the news.
“It was a little upsetting to see them go,” she said.
Some residents headed elsewhere for fireworks. Taylor said her family went to Lawnside Heritage Day and the Camden Riversharks to see fireworks this summer. However, they did not see fireworks on July 4.
Megan Alayo’s family went to Collingswood for fireworks this year, but said the experience didn’t match up to what Cherry Hill offered.
”It wasn’t that good,” Alayo said. “It was just too chaotic.”
