Moorestown residents celebrated the unveiling of Percheron Park last fall and welcomed the statue Diligence to Main Street, turning a years-long project into a reality.
“I don’t think we could have imagined it being a better day weather wise and crowd wise,” said Kathy Logue, president of the Friends of Percheron Park, as reported in an earlier edition of The Sun. “It was wonderful, and the crowd was waiting to see that statue …
“Joshua (Koffman), our sculptor, cut the ties so that we could unveil it, and the sounds and the applause and the roar of the crowd … it made it all worth it.”
At its meeting on Jan. 23, member Ann Langerhans thanked council on behalf of the Friends of Percheron Park for helping to bring the park to fruition.
“We are extremely grateful that you shared and supported our vision to build something that is beautiful, meaningful and useful in the heart of Moorestown,” she noted. “Where there was once an eyesore, now a wonderful public space exists that residents and visitors will enjoy for generations to come.”
Later in the meeting, council addressed an item for discussion on renaming Beech Street Park to Armydis Sordon Park, in honor of Moorestown resident Armydis Sordon, who was killed in World War I. Mayor Nicole Gillespie would like that to happen this month.
“ … I think this would be a wonderful way to mark (February’s) Black History Month …” she said. “I think this would be a fitting tribute to this young man who lost his life so young, (and) that park now stands on the site where he lived.”
Several council members voiced their support for the name change, including David Zipin.
“It would be interesting to know if there’s family that you could trace back,” he offered. “But even absent that, I think it’s an important recognition and long overdue …”
Following Township Manager Kevin Aberant’s report, several consent agenda resolutions were adopted, including authorizing the closing of roads in Moorestown for community events. Council also approved the application for – and execution of – a fiscal-year 2023 local recreation improvement state grant to construct four pickleball courts at Jeff Young Park.
“I’m excited to see the potential for four new pickleball courts,” said Deputy Mayor Quinton Law. “I know that there’s a pickleball community that will be very excited in town about this.”
Gillespie and other council members then offered closing comments.
“I’ll echo thanks to everybody who came out tonight,” the mayor said. “I think this is so important to our town. One of many things that makes our town great is that people are willing to come out and speak up, and do so eloquently and passionately and respectfully and professionally …
“I think we’re in for a good year, and we’ll count on you to continue speaking up as often as needed.”
To view the full meeting, visit https://www.moorestown.nj.us/129/Agendas-Minutes-Meetings-Recordings.
