In alignment with Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen’s focus on improving the quality of life for Camden residents, and in its role as Brownfields Manager for the City of Camden, Camden Redevelopment Agency (CRA) secured grants from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and leveraged grant funds from the New Jersey Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF) of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to address contamination at Elijah Perry Park.
Located in the Centerville neighborhood at 9th & Ferry Avenue (Block 544, Lot 1 of the City on the Camden Tax Map), this City-owned Park underwent the first phase of environmental cleanup and construction for Park improvements in 2024, and has since been open to the public. The triangular portion of the property, adjacent to Ferry Avenue, will now be closed for environmental clean-up and construction of new Park improvements.
Preliminary environmental assessment activities conducted at the site indicates the presence of historic fill material site wide, which requires remediation to address. Elevated concentrations of metals, PCBs, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons also were found. Historic fill ranges from 0.5 feet to seven feet below grade.
Environmental remediation and Park construction of the triangular area for the “The Elijah Perry Park Project” will start on or about Monday, June 30, 2025, and will include:
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Remediation of the triangular portion of the park through the excavation and disposal of contaminated soils.
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Temporary closure of the basketball court during construction.
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Closure of 9th Street and adjacent sidewalks to facilitate remediation work and ensure public safety.
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Tree replanting with species appropriate for the site’s size and environmental conditions.
The Housing Authority of the City of Camden (HACC) together with the Camden Redevelopment Agency, the City of Camden and Camden Community Partnership will conduct work to deliver the remediation of the triangular area and Park improvements for the community. A comprehensive plan exists for the remaining Park remediation. The remediation of the triangular area and construction of the associated Park improvements, including landscaping and new tree plantings, will be completed Fall 2025.
For additional information or responses to questions, please contact the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services at # 856-757-7200, Mayor@camdennj.gov or Olivette Simpson, CRA, olsimpso@camdennj.gov or Jeniffer Taylor, BRS, INC., jtaylor@brsinc.com.
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