CAMDEN, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — Camden kicked off a series of free events today with the goal of making neighborhoods more vibrant this summer. It’s the 10th year of the program.
Camden’s Connect the Lots series features live music, art, community gardens and other fun activities for families all over the city. It began as a project to make better use of — and to beautify — some of the vacant lots that had become neighborhood eyesores.
While that’s still a big part of the objective overall, Mayor Vic Carstarphen says the programs have sort of taken on a life of their own. Over the years, Connect the Lots has grown to include celebrations and concerts at City Hall and parks all over the city — and the series continues to grow and expand into more free, family-friendly fun.
“It builds confidence and trust in our residents when we’re doing things like that in their neighborhoods with open space. I’m excited — blessed — to work with so many good people that care as much as I care about the City of Camden,” Carstarphen said Tuesday at City Hall.
Every year, the mayor says, he looks forward to seeing how participants express themselves.
“It’s just creativity. I love the creativity, man — just organizations coming together and being creative about impacting … the quality of life in a positive way.”
Events run until late October. They are all free to attend. More information is available at ctlcamden.com.