Sometimes we need to sit back and think about how things must be for others in order to make this world a better place.
A perfect example: playgrounds. In general, public playgrounds are designed for a certain type of kid-- mainly those who can run around on their two legs. But plenty of children have disabilities that prevent them from being able to access all or parts of typical playgrounds and are thus left on the fringes of the space because they cannot take part.
Enter the concept of a "Boundless Playground." These types of playgrounds allow access to children with handicaps, enabling them to enjoy the same activities as other kids. For example, by providing a ramp, wider walkways, and no obstacles, individuals who are on wheelchairs or who need other forms of assistance can easily access the entire playground, just like everybody else.
Jake's Place Playground was built in the Fall of 2011 in Challenge Grove Park in Cherry Hill. It is the first and only Boundless Playground in Cherry Hill, Camden County, or all of South Jersey for that matter. The playground features literally dozens of areas where kids can have fun (and get exercise), ranging from slides to swings to monkey bars and lots more. It is a great place to spend a nice day with kids of all abilities who can safely scramble from activity to activity and undoubtedly spend hours gallivanting with friends, and perhaps meet new friends as well.
Adjacent to the Jake's Place Playground is a baseball field, basketball courts, walking track, and various other activities. Bathrooms are conveniently located next to the playground as well.
Note that due to the popularity of this playground, it can get very busy at times, so be prepared to be surrounded by lots of other kids and families! Parking is ample however. There are also numerous benches to sit at and enjoy the surroundings. Perhaps the only small downside to this park that this writer can think of is that there is not a lot of shade around the playground so be prepared with sunscreen as needed. No biggie.
The park sits off of Brace Road at Bortons Mill Road in Cherry Hill and is open from sunup to sundown.
To learn more about the park, visit the Build Jake's Place website and you can even make a donation to benefit the organization that launched this great site for children.
Happy gallivanting!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Joe's Peking Duck House, Marlton
A mainstay of Marlton Crossing, Joe's Peking Duck House is a Chinese restaurant that has sat quietly in a nook of the expansive shopping center for many years now-- perhaps 15-20 or more. Apparently they've been doing something right!
A recent lunch visit proved that Joe's is alive and well. A steady lunchtime crowd flowed in on an otherwise dreary day to sit down for lunch, and others stopped in to pick up take-out food as well. They offer a lunch menu with many options under $10, and your money certainly goes a long way at that. The service was pleasant and quick, leaving plenty of time for chatting with your friends and gazing at the jumbo fish that float in the aquarium at the front of the restaurant. Hot tea is also brought out right when you sit down which is a welcoming touch. Peking duck, as their name implies, is their specialty.
The food was enjoyable, with hot and tasty wanton soup being the big hit (for me personally, at least). I had the sweet and sour chicken with rice on the side which was served quickly and was pretty good though nothing groundbreaking (but then again sweet and sour chicken is also not a very innovative dish, just something I like to get on occasion). My friend had a huge bowl of soup with pork and noodles in it and he enjoyed it very much, devouring almost the whole thing.
The atmosphere is cozy at Joe's Peking Duck House. It's not a very large place and the noise level can build pretty quickly, so it may not be the best place if you're looking for something more intimate. But on the flip side, it's refreshing to go some place that has some energy in it and isn't like a library. Parking is plentiful (and free) and the Center is convenient to get to, sitting just off of the old Route 70 and Route 73 intersection on the Southwest corner, right next to where the carcass of Olga's Diner lingers. (Note: coming from Route 73 heading North, you will need to bare right at the gas station at Maple Ave, and then take the first left to get across to Marlton Crossing.)
At the time of publication, for some reason, finding Joe's Peking Duck House's website was a little bit tricky for me, but the link should take you there. You can reach them at 856-985-1551.
Happy dining!
A recent lunch visit proved that Joe's is alive and well. A steady lunchtime crowd flowed in on an otherwise dreary day to sit down for lunch, and others stopped in to pick up take-out food as well. They offer a lunch menu with many options under $10, and your money certainly goes a long way at that. The service was pleasant and quick, leaving plenty of time for chatting with your friends and gazing at the jumbo fish that float in the aquarium at the front of the restaurant. Hot tea is also brought out right when you sit down which is a welcoming touch. Peking duck, as their name implies, is their specialty.
The food was enjoyable, with hot and tasty wanton soup being the big hit (for me personally, at least). I had the sweet and sour chicken with rice on the side which was served quickly and was pretty good though nothing groundbreaking (but then again sweet and sour chicken is also not a very innovative dish, just something I like to get on occasion). My friend had a huge bowl of soup with pork and noodles in it and he enjoyed it very much, devouring almost the whole thing.
The atmosphere is cozy at Joe's Peking Duck House. It's not a very large place and the noise level can build pretty quickly, so it may not be the best place if you're looking for something more intimate. But on the flip side, it's refreshing to go some place that has some energy in it and isn't like a library. Parking is plentiful (and free) and the Center is convenient to get to, sitting just off of the old Route 70 and Route 73 intersection on the Southwest corner, right next to where the carcass of Olga's Diner lingers. (Note: coming from Route 73 heading North, you will need to bare right at the gas station at Maple Ave, and then take the first left to get across to Marlton Crossing.)
At the time of publication, for some reason, finding Joe's Peking Duck House's website was a little bit tricky for me, but the link should take you there. You can reach them at 856-985-1551.
Happy dining!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Burlington County College Culinary Arts Center, Mt. Holly
Burlington County, though vast in size and diverse in offerings, does not really offer a "go-to" place that could be considered a "crown jewel" of sorts. Sure, there are some historic sites, beautiful small town main streets, gorgeous houses, and the like, but not much in the way of a real draw. Mt. Holly is a great example of this phenomenon, whereby a historic town and a county seat really does not have much in the way of landmarks.
Burlington County College, based in Pemberton, with branches also in Mt. Laurel, Willingboro, and Mt. Holly is trying to change that. This past summer, BCC opened a new Cuilnary Arts Center to much fanfare. This facility has a lot to offer in the way of educating students on the intricacies of the culinary arts, one of the largest sources of employment in the country, but also offers a great experience for locals and visitors alike.
The Center was built in the heart of bustling downtown Mt. Holly, which is chock full of small shops and eateries, but lacking in the form of a draw where people would want to visit from out of town. The College rehabbed an old, shuttered bank that dated back to the 1800s and offered beautiful architecture. Many of the original features were kept, making it a charming and historic building. To modernize the facility, however, the school added a teaching kitchen, a service kitchen, and a demonstration theater which features a kitchen setup along with approximately 70 seats for guests to watch cooking demos, as well as classes. On top of that, there are three separate indoor dining areas and an outdoor seating area as well. The goal is to have the facility used as not only a place of learning the culinary arts, but a haven for the students to practice it.
The building incorporates many green techniques and is LEED certified at the Gold Level. In all, the building is a new resource for the community and a great place for students to immerse themselves in learning the culinary arts.
The Center is located at 21 Mill Street in Mt. Holly, at the corner of Mill and High Streets. To learn more about the Culinary Arts Center and its offerings, call 856-222-9311 or visit BCC's Culinary Arts website.
Burlington County College, based in Pemberton, with branches also in Mt. Laurel, Willingboro, and Mt. Holly is trying to change that. This past summer, BCC opened a new Cuilnary Arts Center to much fanfare. This facility has a lot to offer in the way of educating students on the intricacies of the culinary arts, one of the largest sources of employment in the country, but also offers a great experience for locals and visitors alike.
The Center was built in the heart of bustling downtown Mt. Holly, which is chock full of small shops and eateries, but lacking in the form of a draw where people would want to visit from out of town. The College rehabbed an old, shuttered bank that dated back to the 1800s and offered beautiful architecture. Many of the original features were kept, making it a charming and historic building. To modernize the facility, however, the school added a teaching kitchen, a service kitchen, and a demonstration theater which features a kitchen setup along with approximately 70 seats for guests to watch cooking demos, as well as classes. On top of that, there are three separate indoor dining areas and an outdoor seating area as well. The goal is to have the facility used as not only a place of learning the culinary arts, but a haven for the students to practice it.
The building incorporates many green techniques and is LEED certified at the Gold Level. In all, the building is a new resource for the community and a great place for students to immerse themselves in learning the culinary arts.
The Center is located at 21 Mill Street in Mt. Holly, at the corner of Mill and High Streets. To learn more about the Culinary Arts Center and its offerings, call 856-222-9311 or visit BCC's Culinary Arts website.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tony Luke's, Sicklerville
The world famous Philly cheesesteak has invaded South Jersey! Perhaps you've dabbled in the tasting of a South Philly cheesesteak, but chances are you haven't had an "authentic" one in South Jersey. Sure, there are plenty of pizza shops that serve cheesesteaks, but I think most die-hard cheesesteak fans will admit that these types of places are not the real deal.
Tony Luke's, one of the famous cheesesteak purveyors (alongside Pat's, Geno's, and Jim's), based out of South Philly on Oregon Ave, has brought its brand to the heart of South Jersey in Sicklerville, Gloucester County, just minutes from the Atlantic City Expressway. Walking in the door, the waft of sizzling steaks hits your nose, and after placing your order, just a brief time awaits before you are digging in.
True to form, the Sicklerville store serves other menu items such as hot roast pork sandwiches, cheese fries, and more. My fellow dining companions and I all enjoyed our meals, and the prices are comparable to what average pizza shops charge for lesser quality options.
Even though the shop has only been open since August, it already appears to have a loyal following as there was a strong crowd on hand on an otherwise ordinary Wednesday night. There are about a dozen or so tables to sit at, or, like many folks, you can pick up your order and take it out.
All in all, if you're a cheesesteak fan and you're in South Jersey, you don't need to cross the bridge to get the "real deal" anymore.
As of this posting, the Tony Luke's site does not seem to be working, but it could just be a temporary glitch, and perhaps it will work for you. At any rate, the location is at 663 Cross Keys Road in Sicklerville (the Crossings at Twin Oaks shopping center), and their phone number is 856-875-8700.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Laurel Acres Park, Mt. Laurel
It's easy to get "trapped" inside your house, watching TV, playing video games, or mindlessly reading (ahem!) blog posts online. But when the weather is nice, and sometimes even when it's not, it's great to be outdoors enjoying some fresh air and interaction with others.
Laurel Acres Park, at 1045 S. Church Street in Mt. Laurel, boasts an expansive layout with lots of great features for young and old alike. For starters, there is a lengthy paved trail for walking, bike riding, or rollerblading, plus there are adjacent nature trails that cut through the woods, allowing you to get "off the beaten path," so to speak.
For kids, there are three playground areas to enjoy, which include swings, slides, and plenty of other fun activities. In winter, the youngsters (and perhaps some not-so-youngsters) will enjoy a sledding hill, with steps and all. And in the summer, the hill often features concerts and other programs for all to enjoy.
Don't forget your soccer, volleyball, or baseball equipment as each sport has a home here with well-manicured grounds. There is also a fitness area if you want to give your muscles a burn.
Fishing is available in the man-made lake stocked with fish, and a dog run is open for canines large and small. A veterans memorial by the lake also reminds us that many have served our country to help make free and open public places like this one a reality-- thank you veterans!
And last but not least, a large pavilion can play host to your next birthday party, family reunion, or other gathering, complete with barbecues for cooking. Take note that the pavilion is a first-come, first-serve facility, and reservations may have to be made months in advance, for a fee.
With ample parking, plenty of activities, and lots of space to spread out, Laurel Acres Park is a wonderful gathering spot for one and all.
For more information, visit the Laurel Acres Park website.
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