Eldridge R. Johnson Park / Heritage Landscapes



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Eldridge R. Johnson Park
Camden, New Jersey

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.

The community-based preservation plan documents park history and existing conditions, assesses change, incorporates community input and recommends preservation treatment. Heritage Landscapes collaborated with sculpture specialists and conservators to bring together a recommended treatment that addresses both preservation and rehabilitation options. The preservation approach focuses on stabilization and repair of the elements within the park while more intensive work is deferred. The rehabilitation treatment includes the replacement of walkways and lighting, improved access and drop-off, with decorative elements repaired and lost elements reinstated.

With a grant from the New Jersey Preservation Trust and local matching funds, phase one rehabilitation was undertaken. Heritage Landscapes provided construction documents and oversight for Buddha Fountain renewal; new exposed aggregate walks to match the historic texture; replacement art tiles; sculpture conservation and stone balustrade rehabilitation, which was completed in 1999.

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Client:
Coopers Ferry Redevelopment, for Phase 1, Rutgers State University of New Jersey and New Jersey Preservation Trust for Preservation Plan

Projects:
Phase One Rehabilitation, 1999; Preservation Plan for Johnson Park, 1998.

Project Credits:
Heritage Landscapes, Preservation Landscape Architects & Planners, with Jonathan Fairbanks and Rebecca Reynolds, sculpture specialists and Robert Shure, conservator for plan.