Paddle the Cooper River Saturday, June 2

When's the last time you've taken a look at the Cooper River from the water?

For ten bucks this weekend, canoers and kayakers will get that chance, thanks to a guided paddle tour sponsored by the non-profit New Jersey Conservation Foundation (NJCF) and Urban Trekkers youth development group.

“In our urban environment is this rich environment with a ton of different micro-ecosystems and a larger ecosystem that we’re often unaware of,” says Maria Tranguch, regional manager of the South Jersey metro area for NJCF.

“It’s a place of refuge; a gem in the city,” she says. “We’re trying to let everybody know it’s there and also make access easier.”

Aside from offering a new perspective on the river that is unseen from the streets and roadways in the area, points of interest on the tour include: the biofiltration center at Cooper River Lake, drainage improvements at Farnham Park, and a waterborne view of the Camden Greenway, a 12-plus-mile network of trails along the Cooper and Delaware Rivers.

Seafarers will meet at the Camden County Boat House on North Park Drive in Pennsauken on Saturday, June 2, at 11:15 a.m., commencing down the waterways to debark at Pine Point Park at 2:30 p.m.

Before the launch, an 8:30 a.m. ceremony will commemorate boats built by Urban Trekkers (with help from the Camden Shipyard and Maritime Museum) that will take their maiden voyages on the river Saturday.

The trip is intended for adults who can swim and portage their own boats (which are not provided for the event) a short distance. The $10 per-person cost goes to support both NJCF and Urban Trekkers. Carol Banhart at NJCF is taking reservations (carol@njconservation.org or 908-234-1225).

NJCF recommends wearing closed-toe shoes, a hat and sunscreen, and bringing lunch and personal floatation devices. The group also offers a catalogue of programs called "Step Into Nature," which includes walks, talks, and other guided outreach.