Weekly Hike - Cooper River Park (NJ)

WEEKLY HIKE - COOPER RIVER PARK (NJ)
(8 to 9 Miles | 150 Feet of Elevation)

DESCRIPTION
Join us for our weekly, weekday evening/night hike.

The 346-acre Cooper River Park, which runs through Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, Collingswood and Haddon Township, features two bike paths, the 3.8-mile loop (Cuthbert to Rt. 130) and the 1.35-mile (Cuthbert to Grove Street) courses. The park also features a children's playground with pavilions, two softball fields, one cross country course, a restaurant - 'the lobster trap,' driving range, the Cooper River Yacht Club, pooch park, four volleyball courts, miniature golf course, boat launch for trailer and car-top boats. There's also fishing, a 1.25-mile cinder track, four picnic areas, indoor restrooms at the stadium that's open year round 10 am to 10 pm, memorial grove, biofilter wetland and a sculpture garden. Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River is home to many prestigious rowing events. Ideal rowing conditions exist on the river, which boasts a world-class, Olympic-distance, 2,000-meter narrow and sheltered straightaway.

If the weather cooperates there are several great spots along our route to catch beautiful views, and photos, of the sunset as well as the Philadelphia Skyline. Additionally, there are some really nice homes and apartment/condos buildings along parts of the park in the Cherry Hill and Collingswood areas. This is a great chance to enjoy some different areas of the larger metro area, particularly if you live over in Philly.

Want to try a different direction this time, extending a hike a bit more than our first time in the area in April. Hoping we can be done on time - will cut down the # of stops but still make sure we enjoy some spots for the views of the river, the sunset, and the Philly skyline.

OBSTACLES | SPECIAL NOTES

• This is a really a city hike - expect typical/normal "urban" obstacles such as broken and uneven sidewalks, pedestrian traffic, vehicular traffic, bicycle traffic, etc. Normal hiking gear works fine - though some people find sneakers or shoes with thicker soles easier for long distances on cement than their regular hiking boots.
• Assuming most of the hike will be paved trails or sidewalks with some parts on grass and gravel.

PACE | DISTANCE | ELEVATION

• PACE - About 3.5 mph on this (which is our usual for "urban" hikes)
• Distance - Between 8 and 9 miles +/- (8.75 is target)
• Elevation - 150 feet +/-

BASIC INFO

• DAY & DATE: Tuesday July 22nd, 2025
• START TIME: 7:00PM (AND WE START ON TIME!)
• STARTING LOCATION: Cooper River Dog Park
• Address: 953-969 Park Blvd, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08002
• LENGTH: 7.5 to 8 Miles +/- (7.75 is target)
• ELEVATION: 150 Feet +/- (150 is target)
• SPEED: 3.0 to 3.5 Mph average
• END TIME: Target is 9:30 PM

GEAR:

• Hiking boots/shoes, trail runners, or sneakers okay for this. Keep in mind whatever you wear shouldn't be your "Sunday Best" nor something without good support and decent traction
• Water
• Appropriate clothing - hats, rain jackets, etc. as needed
• A change of clothes for after (at your discretion)
• Headlamps not necessary for this.
• I also advise people bring hiking bags - to help store stuff and to get you used to using one for longer, more difficult hikes such as ones with rock scrambles involved
• Snacks (as you see fit)
• Beer or other drink for before the hike.

MEETING SPOT

• We will meet in the parking lot. I generally will be by or sitting in the back of my moss green SUV with the trunk hatch open.
• As always, I will post a comment to the event page when I arrive.

PARKING

• Free parking in the parking lot with plenty of overflow available along the side of the park as you approach the lot.
• No matter where you park, please do not leave valuables in or anything visible in your vehicle!

BATHROOMS

• Bathrooms not available at the starting/end point.
• No planned bathroom stops on the hike but if we see available public bathrooms somewhere in the park we'll stop for a few minutes if folks need to go.

BREAKS

• No real "breaks" on the hike other than times to let people catch up, catch their breath and get some water and/or change gear & clothing a few times, and to take some photos here and there.

AFTERWARDS

• If enough people are interested, we can go out nearby for a drink and/or some food in Jersey after the hike.

CANCELLATIONS

• I do not cancel hikes for inclement weather. It must be dangerous conditions during the hike or dangerous travel conditions to/from for me to cancel. If I ever do need to cancel or postpone, I try to do so as early as possible.
• You may cancel at any time up to and including the start time of the hike. Cancellations without contacting me after the start of an event counts as a no-show. More than 3 no-shows will get you removed from the group. If something happens, I get it, reach out and just tell me after. I've been there - hungover, busy, etc. Just be polite, and brief, if you miss and forget to cancel.