Just for Fun

On Saturday, April 20th, the NJ Tree Foundation and the Neighborhood Center kicked off Camden’s Earth Week by planting 27 large trees with over 50 volunteers. “Planting these trees is very important to us. We are beautifying our streets, playgrounds, and sitting areas, making the Center even more welcoming to the Camden community, who we have been serving for 100 years,” explained Michael Landis, the Center’s Executive Director. “I had so much fun planting trees!” said Kelli Ann Baker, a Rutgers student. “Being involved with these projects is so inspiring,” continued Kris Dahl, NJTF Intern from Stockton College.

On Monday, April 22nd, the NJ Tree Foundation, the Shade Tree Advisory Board, Camden’s Department of Public Works, and Mayor Dana Redd planted a 500 pound Prunus Okame at City Hall, in memory of Freeholder Aletha Wright. This event was recognized as the City’s Annual Arbor Day Celebration, promoting the importance of trees in Camden communities. Congratulations to Jonathon Latko, Chair of the Shade Tree Advisory Board, for receiving Mayor Redd’s Environmental Hero Award on this date.

Events planned throughout the week also include a documentary screening, a rain garden planting, a Green Drinks social event, several clean ups, and a Spring Fling. For a full schedule of events, please visit camdensmart.com.

“I’ve been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to write this story,”explains Jessica of the NJ Tree Foundation. “Bryan is only the most inspirational man I’ve ever met. As if this story could possibly do him justice…” Well, here’s to trying!

Jessica met Bryan in early 2009 at a North Camden Greening Committee meeting. As a Rutgers student and life-long North Camden resident, he attended the meeting out of curiosity. “I wanted to become more involved in my community, and I wanted to see the vacant lots in my neighborhood converted into green spaces,” he explained. Bryan still stands strongly behind the statement “Camden residents shouldn’t have to leave their communities to take their families to a safe park.”

Looking back, Jessica learned about community organizing from Bryan. Going door-to-door, connecting with people on a real level, hearing their concerns and empowering them to address those issues – that is what grassroots work is all about. At a community meeting in North Camden, with over 75 residents in attendance, Bryan explained, “This community park won’t breed crime. We won’t let it. We will tell our brothers, sisters, cousins, friends — we will not stand for crime in our park.” We could see that people believed in Bryan – that his passion lifted their spirits and helped them see that change is possible if community members get involved.

In 2010, Bryan became President of the non-profit Concerned Citizens of North Camden (CCNC). He adopted a vacant lot in his neighborhood, once full of trash and debris, and converted it into a pocket park. With help from the NJ Tree Foundation, LOWES, and the Camden City Garden Club, this abandoned lot became home to evergreen trees, colorful perennials, bright green sod, and 3 raised vegetable beds. A beautiful asset to the local neighborhood, Bryan named this space the Eliza Morton Community Garden Park in memory of his late grandmother.

Soon after, through Opportunity ReConnect, Bryan assisted individuals in transition from the prison system to develop resumes, connect with local opportunities for volunteerism and employment, learn computer skills, and more. He later resurrected the North Camden Little League after decades of it not existing, engaging hundreds of youth in organized sports with no funding whatsoever. The power of donations and volunteer time! Now he is at the forefront of transforming Pyne Poynt Park, a $3 million project phased to begin in 2013. He’s been monumental in beautifying Northgate Park – from painting benches to building tables to fundraising for new playground equipment. In 2012, he started working for the YMCA of Camden and Burlington Counties, partnering with the NJ Partnership for Healthy Kids and other organizations to provide after-school and weekend activities at Northgate Park and the North Camden community center.

Bryan Morton is a highly respected member of the North Camden community. We are thrilled to have him as a member of the NJ Tree Foundation Board of Trustees, in addition to being a local partner and volunteer. Bryan, thank you for all you do. You inspire us beyond words!

Northgate Park is nestled in the North Camden neighborhood, directly across from Molina Elementary School and surrounded on all sides by residential blocks. Over the years, this city park has experienced its ups and downs. In 2010, Jessica of NJTF can remember walking through the park mid-day and feeling nervous. “On that particular day, the only people in the park were getting high. There were no children there.”

But Northgate Park is a glowing example of what can happen when a community takes ownership of a public space. Walking through Northgate Park two weeks ago, Jessica was in awe at the recent improvements of the park. From brightly painted park benches to new playground equipment, the space was truly transformed! Adam-Paul, who grew up in Camden and graduated from Rutgers University in 2009, was one of many volunteers that helped rebuild the park in October of 2012. He was kind enough to share a story with us:

“Northgate park was my childhood park. It was fresh, colorful and a safe haven for the neighborhood. Friendships were created, summer days were cooled with the water fountain. It was a place filled with joy. A local place that my family could walk to in less than 10 minutes. Epic battles of hide-and-go-seek were played there, sometimes lasting more than one day! Every day at Northgate was a daily competition ranging from foot races around the park to pretending to be a gymnast on the monkey bars.

With time, things changed in Camden and you could see it in the park. Children still played there, but the park lacked the necessary upkeep and lost all resemblance of its former self. Paint was faded, and the child-friendly environment I remember vanished. It became a playground for illegal activity. This discouraged children from playing in the park and, if anything, encouraged them to get involved in wrong-doing. Our city was changing for the worst and the children were being effected the most.

In 2012, on a bright sunny day, hundreds of volunteers brought Northgate Park back to life. Leaves were raked, tables received fresh coats of paint, flower beds were built, brand new slides and swings were assembled. All of this done for the children. The day wasn’t bright just from the sun but from all the children smiling ear to ear. Now they have a place to create memories, have friendly competitions and play pistachio checkers (see photo below).”

Park improvements on October 20th, 2012 were led by Bryan Morton of the YMCA of Burlington and Camden Counties and Sarah Bryant of Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, in collaboration with the City of Camden, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NJ, the United Way, KaBoom, Save Our Waterfront, and Friends of Northgate Park. Stay tuned for a story on Bryan Morton!