PENNSAUKEN − The brand-new track at Cooper River Park's Jack Curtis Stadium, joked Camden County Commission Jeff Nash on Thursday, "is very orange and you can see it from Mars."

But, added Nash, liaison to the county's Parks Department, "it's also state-of-the-art," a defining feature in Camden County's flagship park.

Nash was joined at the park by the mayors of Pennsauken and Camden (Jessica Rafeh and Vic Carstarphen, respectively) and at least two dozen members of South Jersey Track and Field, Run 856 and Camden Clock Chasers, local running groups that have used the park for meets, events and practices to unveil the renovated stadium and track.

The $1.2 million in improvements marked the first completed piece of Camden County's ambitious Parks Alive 25 effort, which officials announced in April. That $100 million, four-year initiative will bring upgrades, updates and enhancements to every park in Camden County's sprawling system, and some municipal parks as well.

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The track at Cooper River Park — yes, it is Day-Glo orange, especially bright against the rich green grass that surrounds it — will attract residents not only from Cherry Hill, Pennsauken, Collingswood and Haddon Township, all of which border the park. It will be a venue for outdoor events like concerts, fitness programs and more.

Shade pavilions, upgraded seating, water stations, new trees, lighting enhancements and curb and drainage upgrades were also completed.

Jill Chestnut-Collins, who leads the South Jersey Track and Field Club, said the new track will help the organization serve kids and adults of all ages and abilities.

"All kids deserve to be part of a team, to be coached and compete," she said. "This feels like a tribute to the greater running community."

Owen Rech, a young runner from Hi-Nella, is now part of that community. Introduced and encouraged by "Coach Jill," the 10-year-old said, "It's fun to run track; I meet new friends and have fun."

And then, to break in the new track, he and his friends ran an inaugural lap.

Phaedra Trethan has been a reporter and editor in South Jersey since 2007 and has covered Camden and surrounding areas since 2015, concentrating on issues relating to quality of life and social justice for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. She's called South Jersey home since 1971. Contact her with feedback, news tips or questions at ptrethan@gannettnj.com, on Twitter @By_Phaedra, or by phone at 856.486-2417.

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