Dear Council Members,

We, the undersigned residents of Voorhees Township and members of the Kirkwood Community Coalition, urge you to preserve the Carriage House site as protected open space.

This land is home to nesting bald eagles, as well as red-shouldered hawks, great blue herons, green herons, ospreys, and other endangered and protected species. These species depend on the wetlands and surrounding habitat that would be irreversibly damaged by development.

The township itself recognized the site’s importance as far back as 2004, when the Voorhees Open Space and Recreation Plan ranked it 8th out of 50 potential preservation sites. That long-standing designation affirms its ecological and recreational value.

Preserving the Carriage House site would also enhance Voorhees’ network of bike paths and walking trails, providing a safe, scenic rest stop for families, cyclists, and nature lovers—a place to enjoy the outdoors while protecting vital habitat.

We respectfully ask the Council to work with county and state partners to formally designate this land as open space, ensuring that it remains a sanctuary for wildlife and a natural treasure for our community.

Please protect this unique part of Kirkwood’s landscape for future generations.