Township to Officially Open Russell Farms Community Park

A trip to the Russell Farms Community Park might find a few locals walking their dogs or jogging along the freshly-laid walking paths already. But, this weekend, the new passive recreation area will officially open to the public.

The township recently announced the park’s grand opening ceremony will be held this Saturday at 10 a.m.

“It’s an exciting moment for our community,” Committeeman Kevin Rooney said of the upcoming ceremony, which will officially unveil the new “Russell Farms Community Park” sign.

The grand opening is the culmination of a months-long renovation of the park, which the township purchased last year. It recently secured a $20,000 grant to transform the park into a usable recreation space.

So far, Rooney said upgrades at the park include 22 new trees, a new Dutch-style barn pump house, walking trails, and dog-waste stations. The park could also see future enhancements, he said, in the forms of the addition of historic signage highlighting the park’s past, the installation of donated benches, and creation of a nursery.

The nursery, Rooney said, will be made up of both flowering and non-flowering trees. They will not only serve as a backdrop to the park, but will also be a community nursery. The trees will be cultivated and then replanted throughout the township, he said.

“We’ve gotten so much donated to this project. It’s really great to see the generosity,” Rooney said.

“I think the vision for the park is one that really celebrates the history of the farm, and adds something important to our community.”

Saturday’s ceremony is open to the public.