Announcements and Updates
2/27/2023: Spotted Lanternfly Update
So far, volunteers from Freedom Barks, Inc. have removed almost 40 egg masses from the dog park.
2/11/2023: Spotted Lanternfly Egg Masses
If you are interested in learning more about spotted lanternflies and how to locate/remove their egg masses, we highly recommend attending one of the Burlington County Park’s Systems Spotted Lanternfly Egg Scraping Sessions.
They are collaborating with the USDA to educate the public on how they can do their part to prevent further spread of this invasive species, which is harmful to native plants, fruit tree orchards, grapes, etc.
Two of our volunteers attended their event on February 1st and left with a much better understanding of this issue and how important early intervention is.
Last summer, you may have seen our volunteers spraying vinegar on nymphs/adults that were found around the dog park's black walnut trees, wild grape vines, and berry bushes.
This year we are aiming to stay ahead of the problem by finding and scraping their egg masses before they hatch later this Spring. So far, we have found/tagged somewhere around 12-15 egg masses, which may not seem like a lot, but each egg mass can contain between 30-50 eggs!
The USDA will be surveying some of Medford’s other parks and open spaces to try to locate an area with a larger infestation where an egg scraping event can be hosted soon with Medford's Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee. We will be sure to share more information about that when it is available!
1/11/2023: NexTrex Plastic Film Recycling Challenge Update
In December, we reached our first 500 pound goal and have earned a free park bench from Trex! The bench has been ordered and is due to arrive in about two weeks.
Thank you to everyone who has participated so far- keep up the great work! Medford's Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee (EAAC) is continuing to collect non-traditionally recycled plastic film for their third Trex bench.
This afternoon, one of our volunteers and two members from Medford Township's Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee dropped off 120 pounds. So, there are only 380 pounds to go!
Please be sure to share this with your family and friends; and keep in mind that schools and community organizations are eligible to sign up and participate to earn their own free Trex bench. For more details, click HERE.
Thank you so much to everyone who supported our holiday donation drive for Burlington County's Meals on Wheels Loves Pets Initiative! It was a great success and each donation provided much needed assistance to local Meals on Wheels clients.
We are excited to share that throughout the year, donations can continue to be dropped off at
Lower Forge Brewery, or with our volunteers during Freedom Barks events.
If you would like to donate at any time, they will accept dry or canned food, treats, or toys (*bags can be opened.)
We are proud to support this cause that delivers pet food to Meals on Wheels participants, who would often take portions away from their own meals to feed their pets. For more information about Burlington County's Meals on Wheels Loves Pets Program, please contact: Carla Fynan at 609-265-5784.
2022 YEAR IN REVIEW
Freedom Barks, Inc. is grateful for the tremendous amount of support we have received from our surrounding community in 2022. Please scroll through the gallery below for our Year in Review where we highlight and thank those who have worked with and contributed toward Freedom Barks, Inc. this year.
We are looking forward to another wonderful year where we will continue to
maintain and improve Freedom Barks Dog Park.
Thank you everyone for your support!
We wish you and your pups a safe and happy 2023!
-Your Friends at Freedom Barks, Inc.
8/1/2022: NexTrex Plastic Film
Recycling Challenge
Freedom Barks, Inc. is excited to announce we are participating in the NexTrex Community Plastic Film Recycling Challenge! Our goal is to collect at least 500 lbs. of non-traditionally recycled plastic film.
If we meet our goal by February 1st, 2023, then we will receive
a free park bench from Trex!
Medford Township's Environmental Affairs Advisory Committee has already completed this challenge twice and earned two free benches.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT CAN BE RECYCLED (for a full list please see the attached flyer): bread bags, bubble wrap, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, ice bags, plastic shipping envelopes, Ziploc bags, cereal bags, plastic wrap, produce bags, etc. *please note all plastic must be clean, dry, and free of food residue*
WHERE ARE COLLECTION BINS LOCATED?:
-Lower Forge Brewery (14 South Main St, Medford)
-Freedom Barks Dog Park Events
-Main Street Markets (9am-1pm, every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month from June-October, at the gazebo on Main Street)
Please share this with your family and friends- every single piece of plastic collected will help us reach our goal!
6/6/2022: Information about
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
ATTENTION: We received a message this afternoon from a park goer who was asking about harmful algal blooms and the safety of Freedom Barks Dog Park's waterways. We shared the following information with them and wanted to share it with the rest of our followers as well:
Below is a screenshot of a Facebook post we made in August of 2020, after the NJDEP reviewed photos we submitted of the water that sits under two of the park's bridges. They were able to confirm there were no harmful algal blooms present and that the conditions of those areas are natural for streams located in the Pine Barrens.
We will continue to monitor the waterways throughout Freedom Barks Dog Park for any alarming changes; please remember to do the same wherever your dog has access to water!
For more information please review the poster that is included with this post and visit the following links:
5/18/22: Medford is featured in USA Today's 2022 Issue of Go Escape Northeast! Freedom Barks Dog Park is mentioned along with other local attractions.
5/11/2022: ATTENTION! PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM MEDFORD TOWNSHIP: Visitors at the Freedom Barks Dog Park have made the Township aware of offensive stickers have been placed in and around the dedicated dog park areas. This is considered vandalism of public property and is being investigated by the Medford Police.
If anyone has any information regarding this vandalism, please contact the Medford Police Department at the non-emergency number of 609-267-8300
or the confidential tip line at 609-714-0302.
Thank you to Scout BSA Troop 49 from Marlton for all of the hard work they put into refurbishing this piece of agility equipment in Blue Squirrel Field. It looks amazing and we appreciate their help to improve our park!
This is a favorite among our park pups and we look forward to seeing them enjoy it. Be sure to check it out next time you're at the park!
