Strategic investments in community projects and programs act as a catalyst for transforming Camden into a place where residents feel connected to the city and enjoy a sense of pride in the changes occurring. Cooper’s Ferry Partnership, along with private sector and nonprofit partners, works alongside residents to improve neighborhoods by bringing programming that enhances the quality of life for residents and makes Camden a sustainable, healthy place to live, work and visit.
CONNECT THE LOTS (CTL) is a community-driven initiative to activate Camden’s vacant and underutilized spaces through the identification and implementation of artistic, cultural, and recreational projects and activities. The goals of the initiative are to engage Camden residents in neighborhood transformation, create safe nodes of activity, and to bring vibrancy to Camden’s corridors and public spaces. CTL is a collaboration between Cooper's Ferry Partnership and the City of Camden. CTL was first piloted in 2014-2015 in the North Camden and Cooper-Grant neighborhoods. Since that time, CTL has expanded to additional Camden neighborhoods and has incorporated themes of health and sustainability in its placemaking programs, including new partnerships with Get Healthy Camden and the Camden SMART Initiative. Connect the Lots signature projects include:
Camden Night Gardens
Camden Jam: Camden Arts and Music Festival
The 2018 CTL season a huge success. With 16 distinct activities, weekly offerings of 5 fitness classes, and 2 art installations, in 8 locations throughout the City of Camden, CTL 2018 engaged over 10,000 residents—over 2,500 more people than its 2015 season (year 2), and over 6,080 more people than our first year. Utilizing the lessons learned each year, we look forward to steadily growing the Connect the Lots initiative as we continue to provide a positive outlet for engaging activities in the arts, health, and environment.
On January 24, 2013, the City of Camden, with the support of Cooper's Ferry Partnership, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, launched the Camden Collaborative Initiative. The Collaborative is building upon the success of environmental initiatives underway, made possible by the efforts and resources of multiple partners that have come together to address the complex environmental issues present in the City. The Camden Collaborative Initiative was formed to realize the many opportunities to maintain, restore, and enhance the environmental resources in the city. The Collaborative will facilitate and leverage partnerships for proactive, holistic, and innovative solutions to help Camden become a vibrant sustainable city.
Get Healthy Camden works with many partners throughout the city to improve the personal health of residents by incorporating healthy strategies into environmental, arts and culture, and community development. Its specific goals are to improve food access that is culturally appropriate and accessible; create safe places to live, play, and work; champion and support policies that promote a culture of health; and implement and support the prevention and decrease of chronic disease.
