Gateway Park opens to the public after 2 decades

PENNSAUKEN, N.J. (FOX 29) - Two decades after a site was originally cleared of shuttered businesses, the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority opened the 25-acre, half-mile Gateway Park to the public Monday.

The Delaware River Port Authority took over and demolished 16 properties to make the place presentable for visitors back in 2000; however, political and community indifference led the property to sit, unused for a good 17 years.

Those on hand for Monday's ribbon-cutting for the new Gateway Park say a massive environmental clean-up further delayed the park project.

Now, finally, the clean-up is complete, trees are planted and for the first time in memory, the park is open to the public.