JOINT STATEMENT
Recreation Master Plan
Borough of Collingswood and Collingswood Public Schools Partnership
September 29, 2025
The Borough of Collingswood and Collingswood Public Schools have agreed on a joint partnership to enhance and expand recreational opportunities for all Collingswood residents through new and updated school district facilities. Using the Borough’s Recreation Master Plan as a foundation, this partnership addresses the community’s need for more year-round access to both indoor and outdoor recreational spaces that accommodate a range of different programs, from youth sports to teen-focused programming to expanded adult and senior wellness opportunities.
Both the Borough of Collingswood (“Borough”) and Collingswood Public Schools (“District”) recognize the critical importance of modern, accessible, and sustainable recreational facilities in promoting public health, student development, and community well-being. As a municipality of approximately 14,000 residents with limited geographic capacity for new development, the Borough must maximize and enhance its existing assets to meet the growing recreational needs of its residents. However, these facilities have been placed under increasing strain due to population density, expanded program demand, and aging infrastructure.
In response to these challenges, the Borough commissioned its first comprehensive Recreation Master Plan, Plan to Play, in the fall of 2022. The plan, published March 2025, establishes clear goals and objectives that emphasize equity of access, environmental responsibility, intergenerational engagement, and long-term fiscal sustainability. Community engagement was central to the multi-year planning process, and feedback from that process made clear that a close partnership between the Borough and District is necessary to meet the recreational needs of the community.
To that end, Borough Commissioners authorized a recreation redevelopment bond in April 2025 to fund updates to and expansion of recreational spaces within the Borough, including within both the District and Knight Park. This redevelopment bond was strategically timed to avoid increasing taxes due to retiring municipal debt. In addition to providing dedicated funding for improvements at Knight Park, the bond will enable the Borough and District to expand community access to both indoor and outdoor recreational spaces by funding the three main pillars of this partnership:
Modernized Outdoor Facilities.
The Borough will fund updates to the Collingswood Middle and High School (CMS/HS) Athletic Complex site that will enable year-round use of modern fields and track facilities for both students and residents. The updated athletic complex will expand opportunities for both athletic and non-athletic outdoor activities and events such as sports tournaments and concerts.
Additional Indoor Spaces.
The Borough will fund the District’s purchase of the former Good Shepherd School facility at 100 Lees Avenue. This purchase both supports the District’s facilities needs and expands indoor recreational space with an indoor gym, library, commercial kitchen, and classroom space. The purchase will also include the neighboring St. John’s Convent, which will be turned into an ADA-accessible outdoor playground open year-round.
Community-Wide Access to District Buildings, Fields, and Playgrounds.
The Borough and District will enter into a shared services agreement that provides community access to District buildings, fields, and playgrounds across Collingswood during non-school hours. This agreement will ensure 98% of the borough’s population will now have walkable access to outdoor recreational spaces.
The community is invited to attend the first in a series of community meetings at 7:00 pm on Monday, October 13, in the CMS Auditorium. During this first meeting, which will also be livestreamed, the Borough and District will introduce the draft plans for the updated CMS/HS Athletic Complex and solicit feedback on design elements and shared services needs. Additional community meeting dates will be announced in the coming days. The design of the CMS/HS Athletic Complex and the shared services agreement will be finalized by December 2025.
This joint initiative marks a significant milestone in the Borough’s and the District’s ongoing commitment to serve the residents of Collingswood. By aligning resources and priorities, this partnership establishes a sustainable framework for expanding access to high-quality recreational and educational facilities while honoring the principles of fiscal responsibility and community well-being. The Borough and the District are proud to move forward together in implementing this vision and look forward to celebrating the benefits of this collaboration and hearing from and incorporating the community along the way.