Camden Residents Frustrated At Long-Delayed Opening Of Gateway Park West
By Mike DeNardo
CAMDEN, NJ (CBS) -- Camden residents annoyed with years of delays in opening Gateway Park West took their frustrations public again last week.
Activists told the Delaware River Port Authority they were tired of hearing that the west side of Cooper River Park would open "soon."
Roy Jones said residents have waited since the land was cleared of strip clubs and motels before the 2000 Republican National Convention.
"We've heard rhetoric, and we've heard excuses. And it does not take 15 years to redo a park."
The DRPA hasn't been able to turn the land over to the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority because of ongoing environmental concerns. Board vice chair Jeffrey Nash said the DRPA had fired an environmental engineer and hired a new one, in the hopes of getting the clearances to open the park.
"We're almost at the finish line, I believe, and I say that with great hesitation because I promised the park would be opening April, then June. And here we are, now waiting until the summer."
Jones demanded an opening date, in writing. He didn't get one.
