Headline: Bellmawr’s Riverfront Comes First — Timber Creek Waterfront Park Set to Break Ground in 2026, Warehouses Put on the Back Burner
If you use I‑295 to get around South Jersey, Bellmawr is one of those short exits that matters more than you might think. The borough’s long‑awaited plan to turn a closed landfill on the Delaware River into the Timber Creek Waterfront Park is finally moving forward, with construction expected to start in 2026 — and the more controversial logistics/warehouse portion of the project pushed further down the timeline.
What’s happening
Bellmawr has been planning to reclaim riverfront land that was once a landfill and use at least part of the site for public open space — a waterfront park and trail that would give residents direct access to the river and create a green corridor where there hasn’t been one for decades. Town officials and the redevelopment team now say the park piece is the priority and could begin construction in 2026. The larger logistics center elements — warehouse/distribution buildings that are attractive to developers thanks to the site’s proximity to highways — are expected to come later, after the public amenity is underway.
Where this is and why it matters to Exit 1‑295 drivers
The property sits along Bellmawr’s riverfront in Camden County, within easy reach of I‑295 and the Route 42 corridor. If you take any of the I‑295 exits serving Bellmawr and nearby towns, this kind of pocket park would be a welcome change: instead of an industrial perimeter or a fenced‑in landfill site, residents and drivers would see trails, native plantings, and river access. Google Maps shows the parcel’s location on the Delaware’s edge and its proximity to the Black Horse Pike corridor; that connectivity is what makes the site appealing for both recreational and commercial reuse.
Why the sequence — park first, warehouses later — is important
Putting the park first is meaningful for several reasons:
– Community benefit and visibility: Starting with a waterfront park demonstrates a clear public benefit up front, rather than making the river a backlot for private industrial use. That helps build trust with residents who have long wanted better river access.
– Environmental remediation: Turning a former landfill into usable public space requires remediation, capping, and monitoring. Tackling the remediation for park space first can set standards for how any later development must be handled.
– Planning leverage: A completed or ongoing public amenity gives the borough more leverage when negotiating terms for any future warehouses — from truck access and traffic mitigation to community benefits and tax agreements.
Local reaction and context
Local coverage of warehouse growth in New Jersey has been extensive in outlets like NJ.com and Patch, where communities across the state have raised concerns about truck traffic, air quality, and the long‑term character of neighborhoods as distribution centers proliferate. Bellmawr’s move to prioritize the park reflects that wider conversation: residents want jobs and tax ratables, but not at the expense of livability.
On the business side, Yelp listings for nearby restaurants and shops along the Black Horse Pike and in neighboring Gloucester City and Mt. Ephraim suggest many small businesses could see more foot traffic if a waterfront destination brings visitors. Park users often translate into more customers for cafes, takeout places, and service businesses within a five‑ to ten‑minute drive — something municipal planners frequently cite when arguing for balanced redevelopment.
What to watch for next
– Project details and timeline: Look for more specific park design plans, acreage, amenities, and environmental remediation reports at upcoming Bellmawr council or redevelopment hearings. Those meetings are where trails, parking, lighting, and ADA access get hashed out.
– Traffic and logistics conversation: When warehouse proposals reappear, expect renewed debate about truck routes (will trucks be routed to Route 42 or through local streets?), pavement impacts, and whether the borough will require traffic improvements or financial contributions.
– Jobs vs. quality of life: Distribution centers can bring jobs, but many are lower‑wage or shift work. The net community benefit will depend on the balance struck in developer agreements and whether Long‑term environmental safeguards are enforced.
– Regional connections: This project fits into a broader trend in South Jersey — reclaiming brownfields and balancing industrial demand for space near highways with community desire for green, accessible public areas. Examples from other places (like the Fresh Kills redevelopment in New York, widely cited as a landfill‑to‑park model) show both the promise and the complexity of these transformations.
Final thought
For travelers and residents along I‑295, a riverfront park in Bellmawr is a win: tangible, walkable recreation and new green visibility from the highway. The warehouse talk isn’t gone — it’s just been postponed — which means the community now has a window to shape the public benefit before larger commercial interests move in. I’ll be tracking council agendas and redevelopment filings so folks from Exit 1‑295 to Exit 4 know when a public hearing is scheduled and how to weigh in.
Want the meeting dates or links to the redevelopment plans? Tell me which I‑295 exit or neighborhood you follow and I’ll pull the latest notices and maps for you.
