Division of Parks and Recreation

Under the supervision of the Director of Public Affairs, the Division of Parks and Recreation is responsible for planning, organizing and supervising recreation and sports activities for City residents. In addition, the Division of Parks and Recreation performs all appropriate functions associated with:

  • Administering the use and rentals of City Facilities and Parks
  • Providing and reviewing permits for Block Parties, Parades, and Boat Ramp

Recreation Facilities

Use of Facilities

To rent or use a City recreation center, meeting facility, or park, you must complete a Use of Facilities application.
For your application to be considered, you must provide a Hold Harmless Agreement and Certificate of Insurance.

Use of Facilities application

All applications must be submitted to:

Keegan Recreational Center
522 Wood Street
Burlington NJ 08016

Contact Information

Daniel Keegan
Recreation Center

522 Wood Street,
Burlington NJ, 08016
Hours: Monday - Wednesday (9:00am - 5:00pm)
Friday (9:00am - 4:00pm)

John Alexander
Tel: 609-386-0200, ext. 115
Email: JAlexander@burlingtonnj.us

Nikisha Scott, Use of Facilities, Permits, and Recreation Coordinator
Tel: 609-386-4070
Fax: 609-386-0766
Email: NScott@burlingtonnj.us

J.C. Martin, Youth Sports and Activities, Recreation Leader
Tel: 609-386-4070
Fax: 609-386-0766
Email: JCMartin@burlingtonnj.us

Denise Love, Senior Recreation Programs, Recreation Leader
Tel: 609-386-4070
Fax: 609-386-0766
Email: DLove@burlingtonnj.us

Programs and Activities

Youth Programs

The Youth Basketball League is open to kids ages 5-14. Kids learn the fundamentals and improve balance, coordination, and endurance in this fast-paced sport. Participants will practice dribbling, passing, catching, shooting, and footwork skills, as well as concepts of offense, defense, cooperation, and teamwork. Youth basketball teams participate in competitive games.

Programs are open to boys and girls ages 4* to 14. The program provides an enjoyable and engaging environment for children to develop skills like hitting, throwing, and catching. Youth baseball and softball teams participate in competitive games.

*(Co-ed, ages 4 to 6)

Youth/Rec Cheer is a discipline of cheer for boys and girls ages 5-14 that involves athletes who cheer in support of other youth/rec sports, most often football. Kids learn the fundamentals of tumbling, stunting, pyramids, dance, and cheer segments. Youth/Rec cheer teams may also participate in competitions.

Dance is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14. It develops music appreciation, rhythm, coordination, and strength through introductory dance steps. It builds listening and socialization skills while discovering how fun dancing can be. Kids will participate in a recital at the end of their season to showcase their skills to family and friends.

Football is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14. The program is a tackle program that teaches the fundamentals of teamwork, as well as the proper stance, running, catching, blocking, and tackling techniques. Teams will also participate in competitions.

Soccer is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14. Kids will learn fundamental skills like dribbling, passing, receiving/trapping, and retaining/shielding the ball. Older kids will participate in competitive games.

Track is open to youth ages 5 to 14. Kids will participate in events such as sprinting and hurdles, distance running, throwing, and jumping. Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on individual work and teamwork.

Youth clinics may be offered for programs such as summer basketball and tennis throughout the year. They are typically run for a shorter period of time.

https://form.jotform.com/BCREC08016/volunteer-application
For your protection, a Criminal Background Check is required and performed on all volunteers participating in the Recreation Programs and must be renewed every three years, as well as training to ensure the protection of children participating in City and other programs.

This non-profit corporation was formed to oversee all fundraising activities and award programs for the youth sports programs sponsored by the City of Burlington and is the governing body for each individual youth sports commission in the City, namely, Baseball, Softball, Wrestling, Football, and Cheerleading.

Programs and Age groups are subject to change based on availability.

Senior Recreation Programs

The Senior Recreation Program is held Tuesday through Friday at the Keegan Center from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

A variety of FREE activities are scheduled monthly and include:
  1. Information Sessions
  2. Cards and Games
  3. Art Classes
For more information, contact the Senior Program Supervisor, Denise Love at 609-386-4070 or dlove@burlingtonnj.us.

List of Available Facilities

The home of the Recreation Division office. It has an arts and crafts room, an all-purpose room, a small meeting room, and indoor and outdoor bathroom facilities. It is located at 522 Wood Street and is part of Kennedy Park. It is used not only for recreation but also for Municipal Court and the City Council Meetings. It is host to other city department functions and private organizations, such as the senior clubs and athletic associations.

A beautiful mile-long linear park along the shores of the Delaware River. It can be best located by going north on High Street to Riverbank (Pearl St.) Drive. This park area is the jewel of the City’s park system with a river’s-edge Promenade, sitting areas, Boat Ramp, TotLot and basketball court. Its open space includes a bandstand and is home to concerts and larger social events.

Our largest park in the system. It stretches from Wood Street to Chelton Avenue. Kennedy Park Proper contains a picnic pavilion and playground equipment and several foot bridges traversing the creeks of JFK Lake. The Kennedy Park Extension (see Q.) located in the Mehlville section of the City has a walking path around that section of the lake, a shuffleboard court, basketball court and bocce ball court.

Located off Sixth St. between Martha Street and Frances Street. It is a wooded park containing a basketball court, play equipment, and picnic tables.

Located at the north end of the Riverfront Promenade at Tatham Street. Boaters can access the Delaware River from this ramp by purchasing a daily or seasonal permit that goes on sale beginning April 1 through November 1 of each year. For fee information, hours of operation, and for permits, visit or call the Keegan Recreation Center at 522 Wood Street or 609-386-4070 M-F. Also, for your convenience, there will be scheduled Saturdays each month starting in April.

Located on Barclay Street between Stacy Street and York Street. It is one of five sites renovated with state-of-the-art play equipment in the Spring of 2001.

Located at the corner of Jones Avenue and Linden Avenue. It also is one of the newly renovated sites with state-of-the-art play equipment and picnic tables.

Located at the corner of York St. and Clarkson St. It is also one of five newly renovated tot lots completed in 2001.

Located at the end of Neptune Avenue in the east Burlington section of the City. Slated for renovation in 2003.

Located at Columbus Street between Hulme Street and Logan Street. It has three baseball fields, home of the Burlington City Baseball Association’s Junior Babe Ruth, Major and Minor League teams. It also has a basketball court, bocce court, street hockey court and a former tennis court now equipped with batting cages.

Located on Farner Avenue between Grant Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. It is home to the Girls Softball League with two fields (one of which is lit), a basketball court and a defunct tennis court.

The site is adjacent to the historical Allen School on Mitchell Avenue. It will be the future home of a football/soccer practice field. There is also a lighted basketball court on site.

Located on Oakland Avenue at the end of Park Avenue. It has the remnants of a former street hockey court and basketball court. It will be improved into a new state of the art tot lot in 2003.

The ballfield is located at the corner of Uhler and Highland Aves.

Located on Engle Avenue at Cherry Street. Partially wooded, it has recently been equipped with climbing animal statues and has half-court basketball.

This park can be accessed at the end of Valentine Road or Independence Drive. The park has a basketball court, a little league field, and play equipment slated for renovation in 2002.

Part of the Kennedy Park Extension. The play equipment is slated for removal. A basketball court is adjacent to play equipment.

The new Dog Park was completed in 2021 and is located in the JFK Park Extension near the Sewer Plant, and comprises two fenced-in areas for large or small dogs. Enter and park on Highland and Chelton Avenues.

Events & Celebrations

Event information, Tourism guides, marketing materials.

Division of Health & Vital Statistics

City of Burlington vital statistics, licensure of food services, and licensure of pet dogs.

Boat Ramp Use

Boat Ramp permits, information and waterway information.

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