Seven new fishing piers are opening at Newton Lake Park in Camden County
The 103-acre Newton Lake Park runs through Oaklyn, Collingswood, and Haddon Township.
Surrounded by government officials with fishing rods, Nancy MacGregor on Tuesday proved herself to be the master angler of the afternoon at the 103-acre Newton Lake Park.
MacGregor, president of the Oaklyn Borough Council, pulled in a four-inch fish and, with a shocked look, asked what to do next. Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr., who spent time as a kid fishing in the park that runs through Oaklyn, Collingswood, and Haddon Township, removed the tiny catch from the hook and tossed it back into the lake.
Cappelli, MacGregor, and others were there to officially open seven new fishing piers at the park that replaced deteriorated ones from the 1930s, a $1.3 million project developed using open space funds.
“These piers are safer, stronger, and fully ADA compliant, making sure residents of all abilities can enjoy fishing, spend time along the water, or simply enjoy everything Newton Lake has to offer,” Cappelli said at the opening.
Newton Lake has several varieties of fish, including large-mouth bass and catfish. They are strictly catch-and-release and not safe to eat, according to the county.
Improved paths near the piers will be the next phase of the project, said Jeremy Noll, whose company Environmental Resolutions Inc. of Mount Laurel oversaw the project. Some will be raised so they are not covered in mud during heavy rain, which is an issue with the current ones, he said.
The piers are also 6 to 8 inches higher than the old ones, so they will be accessible when Newton Lake rises.
Noll said he expects the piers to last 50 years, but the decking may need to be replaced after 20 years.
Local leaders at the opening said they are excited for the public to visit the piers, which are free to use.
“This project here today isn’t just about catching fish. It’s about improving people’s quality of life and creating fun, engaging, and meaningful outdoor experiences right in their own backyard,” Olivia Liu, program and communications director for the nonprofit Upstream Alliance, told the group. “It’s about having the opportunity to love and appreciate the community that you live in.”
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