Beneath our feet lies 73.47 acres of suburban tranquility. This is Haddon Lake Park. It is located within Haddon Heights, Audubon and Mount Ephraim in New Jersey. The park stretches from Station Avenue to 10th Avenue. It also extends from Kings Highway to the Black Horse Pike.
Haddon Lake Park boasts a variety of amenities. We can see a softball field, two playground areas, and a picnic area. There is also an outdoor amphitheater called The Norcross-McLaughlin Memorial Dell. A public boat launch is available for small boats. Motors are not permitted.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Haddon Lake Park has many bike paths. They stretch 1.72 miles from Station Ave to Mt. Ephraim. There is a 0.73-mile path from Station Avenue to 13th Avenue. Another path runs 0.40 miles from 13th Avenue to Kings Highway. The Audubon side offers a 0.6-mile path from Kings Highway to the playground. On the Mount Ephraim side, the path from the playground to Kings Highway is 0.37 miles. The loop around Haddon Lake between Kings Highway and the playground is 1 mile. A 1.6-mile cross-country trail also winds through the park.
Anglers can enjoy fishing from the pier located in the Audubon section. Look over there. That’s the park’s gazebo. Many species of birds frequent Haddon Lake Park. During the spring and summer, they cool off in the water. You may see flocks of friendly ducks and geese swimming in the lake. Turtles often bask in the sun nearby. If you’re lucky, you might spot a blue heron stalking its next meal.
However, Haddon Lake Park has a dark side. The lake was once a dumping ground where bodies were found. In September 1995, park workers and a fisherman discovered the nude body of a woman in the shallow water. She had been bludgeoned to death.
The woman had a devil tattoo holding a pitchfork on her left calf. On her left wrist, she had the letter J or T. Water in her lungs indicated that she was alive when she was thrown into the lake. Her murder remains unsolved.
Despite its beauty and recreational offerings, Haddon Lake Park carries a somber history. It reminds us that even the most serene places can hold dark secrets. Take a moment to reflect on the stories this park holds. Remember both its beauty and its tragic past.