Advocates push to turn once-seedy Camden stretch into park

Advocates in Camden are asking why a long-promised park has never opened along a stretch of highway that used to be known for hourly rate motels and strip clubs.

Land along Admiral Wilson Boulevard was bought and cleared 15 years ago in a project to make a much-used entrance to New Jersey look better before the 2000 Republican National Convention.

At the time, officials said there would be a park on the land.

But all the city has gotten is a handful of benches.

A group of advocates has been pushing for environmental cleanup to be completed and park amenities to be brought in since Camden County started a $23 million improvement project for a park just outside of Camden five years ago.

A protest is planned for next week.