The Camden County Parks with Haddonfield Central School Environmental Club and Historical Society of Haddonfield will host a Hopkins Pond Celebration on April 17 at 1 p.m. at Hopkins Pond at Pennypacker Park, Corner of Grove Street and Hopkins Lane in Haddonfield.
The park was preserved 100 years ago by Haddonfield residents and would become the first parks of the Camden County Parks System. By 1927 Hopkins Pond and surrounding areas was purchased by Camden County Parks Commission to be developed as one of the first Camden County Parks.
The Historical Society of Haddonfield and Central Elementary School Environmental Club have done much work in preparation for this anniversary. Fourth and Fifth grade students in Jennifer Gallogy’s Haddonfield Central School Environmental Club has spent the past year and a half researching and studying Hopkins Pond.
The club began doing field study projects at Hopkins Pond a few years ago. I wanted the students to appreciate the environmental treasures in their own backyard. Many of them had never been to Hopkins Pond. By visiting the pond and its environs throughout the year, the students began to see significant seasonal changes, and developed a sense of stewardship for the area. When the 100th anniversary of the park was announced, the club members wanted to do something to bring awareness to this important piece of Haddonfield’s history and environment.
It was decided to create a walking tour video that would be sent to the elementary schools to build awareness of this important resource. The club is thrilled to be invited to be involved with the Camden County Parks in the celebration of this wonderful place.
In addition The Haddonfield Garden Club, and other community groups and individuals have contributed the protection of the park, by organizing cleanups, restoring areas, and being a voice for the park environment and its inhabitants.
In particular, Boy Scout Troops 64 and 65 have contributed many Eagle Scout projects over the years. In particular, Eagle Scouts Matthew Zalecky and Luke Smalls constructed two kiosks at either end of the pond and Andreas Rebmann and Sean Wilkinson completed much needed trail maintenance projects in the past couple of years.
