Johnson Park Back In Public Eye - Camden, NJ
N 39° 56.903 W 075° 07.517
18S E 489297 N 4422035
As an architectural wonder of Camden, this beautiful, neoclassic building erected in 1919, with its imposing columns, intense mosaic and its wading pool out front, is the jewel of Camden. This article details its rebirth and renovation.
Waymark Code: WMBZ0M
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 07/06/2011
Views: 5
This article is over fifteen years old but describes the rebirth of one of my favorite local places to visit...in the daytime of course. Johnson Park and its priceless statues and wading pool, mosaics and library were in bad need of saving. Locals did their very best to destroy the beauty and majesty of the park so it matched up well with the rest of the neighborhood. Friends of Johnson Park, an organization made up of the park's owner, Rutgers University; the Whitman Cultural Arts Center; the Cooper's Ferry Development Association, and area residents decided enough was enough and they pushed back the tide of local savagery and secured funds to save their beloved park.
Today the park is gorgeous. It is totally strange and surreal to see this in the middle of a blighted urban area but, there it is. I visited it the other day and observed local residents (kids) using it to cool down, splashing, cursing and threatening each other with physical violence, but still having fun. So I guess it kind of worked out.
From my previus waymark
"In the center [of Johnson Park] stands the Cooper Branch Library (open 9-9 weekdays), a neoclassic building erected in 1919 from the plans of Karcher and Smith, Philadelphia architects. Behind a row of six Iconic columns is a mosaic frieze of opalescent glass, depicting America Receiving the Gifts of the Nations Composed of 100,000 pieces, the mosaic was executed in the D'Ascenzo Studios, Philadelphia. The library has 22,000 volumes." --- New Jersey, a Guide to Its Present and Past, 1939; page 230
"Given to the city in the 1910s by inventor Eldridge R. Johnson, this block size park was designed as a gracious outdoor parlor surrounding a public library. Johnson's special interest in children can be seen in the sculptures and fountains representing characters in children's literature. The park was designed in the classical style with stone balustrades at each entry and around the library, a fountain and wading pool, changing pavilions, sculptures and fences with animals and nature themes, tiles illustrating nursery rhymes, a large bronze sculpture of Peter Pan and an educational arboretum of tree plantings. The library now functions as a performing arts center adjacent to the Rutgers University Camden campus and serves both the university and community. The decline of Camden and the neighborhood around the park makes the project especially challenging. In 1998 the park was marred by vandalism of its stone balustrades and the theft of sculptures. Formal curving walks, balustrades and decorative ceramic tiles remain in a deteriorated state and park plantings diminished over time." SOURCE
In roman numerals, carved in the granite (or possibly marble) in back of the huge columns can be found the date this library was opened, MCMXVI. On top of the engraved date is a massive mosaic depicting Europe's contributions to our country. Even the windows are a marvel, with their interesting design and its oxidized ornamental bars. Take a gander at the fountain; really look at it and you will see various faces carved out of limestone. It is called the Buddha fountain and will be undergoing repair in the not too distant future.
Personal Anecdote
Almost 25 years ago I attended Rutgers Camden and lived at my frat house on Cooper Street, a mere few hundred feet from this park. Back then, crime was horrible. My Chevy Chevette was broken into and my stereo was stolen. Yeah, it was like that. Consequently, I had no idea this park was even in existence. All I ever saw was crack houses, cops chasing bad guys, gun shots, ambulances. No beauty, no art, no nothing. Today, I am kicking myself at never having discovered this gorgeous park. The library is AMAZING! The columns, the mosaic high above, the wading pool, the art..oh my gosh, the art! You just have to see it. Pictures do not do it justice. I visited for a good hour, really taking in all the art and sculptures and every detail. I think the nursery rhyme theme has been done with taste and skill. Metered parking is available on the east and west sides.