Things to do in West Deptford

With West Deptford being a great town to live in and a decent size (about 22,000 people),there are many things to do. This does not just include residents who live in the township, but also for those who live around or near West Deptford as well. I have composed a list (not in order or in rank) of things to do while in West Deptford. Without further ado, here are some of the things to do while in West Deptford.

1.RiverWinds

RiverWinds is the community center for West Deptford and has so many programs for children and adults. They have an Olympic size pool (where the high school competes) and a children’s play pool. There are several basketball courts, a rock climbing wall, a weight lifting room, an eighth of a mile track, and much more. RiverWinds has an aquatics, scuba, and fitness programs. There are many other programs that RiverWinds offers as well. You can also host your wedding, birthday, or other special events because they do have rental rooms. You do not have to be a member of RiverWinds or West Deptford to go in, you can purchase a day pass if you would like to.

2. Golf and Tennis 

Want to go for a round of golf or a game of tennis? Well, you can! The golf course and tennis courts are also located at RiverWinds. RiverWinds use to own them, but now Ron Jaworski “Jaws” owns them. Enjoy the beautiful Delaware River and Philadelphia skyline while taking on the challenging 18-hole course. Also, enjoy a game (or two) at the awesome five tennis courts that are indoors.

The Golf and Tennis headquarters at RiverWinds

3. Field of Dreams

By far one of my favorite places to go as a kid and I had some birthday parties there when I was younger. Who doesn’t like the title of the playground? It’s a great place where you can dream big and play with your friends. There are slides, swings, and a lot of forts to climb up and down. Field of Dreams is a great place to play with your children or meet up and play with grandparents. While asking an interviewee about Field of Dreams, she states, “Well, today was my first time, but they seem to love it.” Field of Dreams is a very fun place and children love going there. Field of Dreams is exactly the same today when I was a kid so I asked the interviewee if West Deptford should make it safer, rebuild it, or make it modern? She states, “I like the old feel of it. It’s scary because you can’t see them, but as long as you know where the gate is it’s fine.” So don’t be afraid to go and play with your children and always keep an extra eye on them.

Playground at Field of Dreams

Playground at Field of Dreams

4. Soupy Island

Soupy Island is another great place to visit. Soupy Island, also known as Sanitarium Playground was first a playground then turned into a hospital treating children with TB in the 1880’s. But during the Great Depression, they served soup and crackers and that is how they got the name Soupy Island. Soupy Island is only open just six weeks after the Fourth of July. There is a pool, swings, basketball court, volleyball court, and a whole lot of picnic tables to have a family BBQ. I’ve been there a lot of times; especially when our high school marching band and choir had our annual picnic. Our band and choir directors would honor the seniors and it was a time where eight graders who were going to be involved in the marching band to get a chance to know their upper classmen. Soupy Island is also located right near the Delaware River so you can enjoy the beautiful view.

5. Red Bank Battlefield

By far my favorite place to go in West Deptford! You don’t have to be a history major like me to go. You don’t even have to like history. The trail that Red Bank Battlefield has is great! Enjoy the beautiful Delaware River and Philadelphia skyline while walking the trail. There is an upper level trail and a lower level trail; both are great and fun to walk. You can also visit the Whitall House and there is a playground for kids to play. There are tons of picnic tables so you can go there and enjoy a nice picnic. You can bring a beach chair and sit right on the Delaware River (be careful of what time you come because of the high and low tides. If it’s high, then you can’t do it, but if it’s low then you can do it). Also you can bring your fishing gear and fish on the Delaware River. I suggest that you try to get there and watch the sun set. It’s a breath-taking view of the sun setting on the Philadelphia skyline and the sun reflecting on the Delaware River. You can follow Red Bank Battlefield’s Facebook page or Twitter page for tours, news, and other information.

Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield

The Delaware River and reflection of the sun at Red Bank Battlefield

Playground at Red Bank Battlefield

Philadelphia skyline at Red Bank Battlefield

6. Hague’s Gun Range

Want to blow off some steam while having some fun. Well look no further at Hague’s Gun Range in West Deptford. Hague’s Gun Range has 14 lanes that are 25 yards. This indoor gun range also sells guns as well. You can rent a lane, buy a gun, improve your accuracy, and buy bullets. You can bring your own gun if you want to or if you don’t own one, you can rent one. You can follow their Facebook page or website for the latest news.

7. West Deptford Park

West Deptford Park is another great place to visit. There is a nice trail to walk around and there are a lot of soccer fields. This is where our townships soccer league is. But, one of the biggest attraction is the skate park. It use to be a roller hockey rink, but since it wasn’t being used at all, our township decided to convert it to a skate park. You actually need to get a pass to go and skate there. You can get it at RiverWinds for a $30 fee for non-residents and $15 for residents. I think its nice to have a skate park because it seems like it was something that a lot of people wanted, especially since we already have hockey rinks at RiverWinds. It gives residents more variety and it also causes more tourists to come and visit West Deptford.

Skate Park at West Deptford Park

Skate Park at West Deptford Park

Well…there you have it, a list of some action-pact and fun things to do at West Deptford. Hope to see you there!

RiverWinds Hosts Art Exhibit Fundraiser

On Friday night, RiverWinds hosted a free art exhibit fundraiser for One Simple Wish. One Simple Wish is a non-profit organization that brightens “the lives of children in foster care in simple, yet meaningful ways.” The goal is to help children in the foster care system and grant them a very simple wish that can make a difference and have a huge impact in their life. The wish can be so simple such as a ticket to the movies, getting a toy, or taking dance classes. The idea is to make a difference for children in the foster care system that have gone through a hard and difficult time.

One Simple Wish all started when a couple (Joe and Danielle Gletow) became foster parents. The couple fostered an 18 month-old boy. When they took care of the boy for two years, they learned so much about children living in the foster care system. In addition, they learned about the resources they were not receiving, the lack of awareness in the general public, and the support the children desperately needed and deserved. The couple believed that they had to do more than just foster children and dedicated their lives in helping foster children. The art exhibit fundraiser at RiverWinds is one way that will help grant foster children’s wish.

At RiverWinds, there was a little hall where dozens of art ranging from pictures to paintings were hung on the wall for display. They were on display in hopes to be bought. The money would be used to help grant someone’s wish. The prices ranged from five dollars to twenty dollars so they were affordable for anyone and the money would be used for a great cause. Other items were being sold as well such as necklaces and scarfs. In addition to the art exhibit, there were light refreshments.

Paintings at the art exhibit

Paintings at the art exhibit

Paintings at the art exhibit

Paintings at the art exhibit

While looking at the art exhibit, there were many interesting and awesome pieces of work. Average people who want to help the cause donated the art for the exhibit. Out of the whole exhibit, my favorite painting was entitled “Sky of Light.” It was also a crowd pleaser because many were standing and taking a long look at the piece of art.

“Sky of Light”

Want to find out more or how you can help, please look at how you can donate with money or donate with time. You can also look at their website for news, events, testimonies, and other information.

About West Deptford

West Deptford in yellow. Photo by [at]WestDeptford via Twitter

West Deptford is a township that is part of Gloucester County. It was founded on March 1, 1871 and was actually part of Deptford, hence West Deptford. West Deptford is really west of Deptford. According to South Jersey Magazine, in 2012 West Deptford was ranked third in top towns to live in.

West Deptford’s colors are green and white with black and are known as the Eagles. West Deptford has five schools: the high school, middle school, and three elementary schools (Green-Fields, Red Bank, and Oakview).

Photo by West Deptford Township via their home website

Like most of Gloucester County, West Deptford first began as a farm community before the Revolutionary War. But, West Deptford has a lot of historical roots dating back to the Revolutionary War. There are numerous roads that date back to the Colonial times including Hessian Ave., Colonial Manor, Red Bank, Washington, and Lafayette. In addition, Red Bank Battlefield is a historical park in West Deptford. You can visit their Twitter page and find out about tours, events, discoveries, and other kinds of information.

Photo of Whitall House at Red Bank Battlefield via Twitter

One of the biggest attractions in West Deptford is RiverWinds.RiverWinds is a community center that host many events throughout the year. In addition, they have aquatics, scuba, fitness, and many other programs where members and non-members can attend. RiverWinds is open to the public so you do not have to be a member in West Deptford to go, but you do get a discount for being a member in West Deptford. They also have a weight lifting room, an eighth of a mile track, and much more. It’s a great place to go, have some fun, and spend time with family.