Conflict Arises Over Final Design Of Percheron Park In Moorestown

MOORESTOWN, NJ — The latest plans for the Percheron Park project designed to “perk up” Main Street were revealed to the public last week, as work continues amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Friends of Percheron Park, the driving force behind the project, said they would like to see the project more closely resemble their original vision, which incorporates a bronze statue of the first Percheron horse that was brought to the United States from Europe. Edward Harris brought it to Moorestown in the 19th Century.

“The new design is similar to the original design with a few modifications,” Friends of Percheron Park President Kathy Logue said, adding that the group would like to have ongoing input into the designs moving forward.

The group has raised more than $100,000 for the project, which was initially conceived in 2006.
The design that was unveiled at the July 13 Moorestown Council meeting included more landscaping than the original design, as well as a water fountain and bike rack that weren’t originally included.

Logue said the design should incorporate more open space, and eliminating the water fountain and bike rack would allow for that.

Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie said the township will try to arrange a meeting among community groups that have an interest in the park. This includes the Moorestown Business Association (MBA), which would like to see the park be used in part as a center for entertainment in the township. Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) Chairperson Kate Wilson agreed the park should be a benefit for everyone in the township.

The Friends of Percheron Park have already said they envision the site as "an oasis on Main Street where we can sit and enjoy the view, meet our neighbors and appreciate our heritage, under the watchful eye of our statue of Diligence."

Councilwoman Victoria Napolitano said she wanted to make sure the project came as close to the original design as possible.

“We can make something amenable to the MBA, but the township is getting this park due to the donations the group collected for their own vision,” Napolitano said. “We need to honor that.”

“A lot of money has been donated, and their ideas should be given a lot of credence,” Deputy Mayor Brian Donnelly said, adding that he wants to see the project “get over the finish line.”

“I think we can preserve the original design and incorporate some of what the MBA wants,” Councilman Mike Locatell said.

Late last year, Moorestown officials said they hoped to go out to bid for the project in the spring. When the coronavirus pandemic led to a state shutdown in March, progress on a project that’s already been in the making for more than a decade slowed further.

In 2007, the township purchased the former gas station and auto repair shop at 1 High Street. This would become the destination for the statue, which was now in need of beautiful surroundings. The idea of the Percheron Park project was born. The Friends of Percheron Park was incorporated in 2012, and fundraising for the project began.

In 2013, sculptor Joshua Koffman, who received worldwide acclaim and a blessing from Pope Francis, was commissioned to create the statue. He has created a 12" bronze model of the statue, which was first unveiled in 2014, Logue said.

But in the 13 years since the project was initially conceived, construction costs have gone up and the Friends of Percheron Park are in still in need of funding. Donations can be made at www.percheronpark.org and at https://www.facebook.com/donate/536341237218226/.

See related: Donations Needed As Moorestown’s Percheron Park Project Drags On
See related: Percherons Hold Place Of Honor In Moorestown History