Woodlynne's former amusement park site is now home to commuters
One of New Jersey’s smallest municipalities, Woodlynne owes its existence to the closing of an early 20th-century amusement park on the outskirts of Camden. The community might be a different magnet than it once was, previously drawing visitors to its scenic lake and fairgrounds filled with rides and other carnival fare, but now offers a selection of affordable housing for Philadelphia commuters enamored with the charm of South New Jersey's suburbs.
Tim Belko, a South Jersey real estate expert with Fox & Roach Realtors of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, says communities like Woodlynne have become more attractive in recent years as more people flock to Collingswood for its vibrant downtown arts and culture scene. “People are getting priced out there," Belko says. "There’s not much inventory in that market. These cluster towns, I think they are cost-effective options for potential homebuyers who want to live in a great area without breaking the bank. They’re all great options. It’s just down to a person’s personal preferences.” With the neighborhood also just a few miles from Philadelphia via the PATCO high-speed line, the neighborhood's placement next to a large commuter rail station makes it a popular home base for folks working in the big city.
New Jersey housing options range from starter units to historic homes
Similar to Camden, brick row houses and units in Colonial-style twins sell for around $150,000 to about $240,000, providing options for a starter home or an investment property. Single-family colonial-style homes, Victorians and Craftsman bungalows from the early 20th century typically cost between $200,000 and $400,000.
Woodlynne Public School serves kindergarten through eighth grade
Formed as an independent borough more than a century ago, Woodlynne features its own school district of the same name that serves approximately 400 students from preschool to eighth grade at Woodlynne Public School, which earns a C from Niche. Though a public school, students are required to wear uniforms under its dress code policy. Upon graduation, kids generally move on to B-rated Collingswood High School, in the neighboring school district.
Knight Park and Cooper River Park offer scenic recreation
Though Route 130 divides Woodlynne from Collingswood, neighborhood folks can quickly drive or walk to Haddon Avenue within a few minutes to enjoy the neighboring community’s beloved downtown district or the seasonal farmers’ market. With a dog-friendly atmosphere, live bands and a wide variety of vendors, the market regularly attracts visitors from all over the neighborhood and surrounding area, making it one of the most popular farmstands in South Jersey.
Even closer to Woodlynne, Knight Park welcomes folks to explore its paved trails that wind through the 60-acre green space, passing tall trees, baseball fields, playgrounds and a scenic pond filled with waterfowl. Collingswood is home to Cooper River Park, a sprawling riverfront space with yacht clubs, public amenities and picturesque views.
Dining options range from tacos to Mediterranean fare
Residents are close to numerous inviting restaurants. Almost 50 years after opening the Japanese sushi restaurant Sagami, Chef Shigeru Fukuyoshi was named a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2023, earning high praise from fellow chefs in the culinary industry’s most prestigious contest. The local food scene sets hearths and mouths ablaze, as worldly restaurants like Li Beirut and Oasis Mexican Grill serve traditional dishes from the Mediterranean coast or the Puebla highlands, respectively.
There are fewer places to eat and shop in Woodlynne, but a few still delight neighbors and friends around the area. At both Food Reyes and Alex’s Bakery and Food Store, you can find traditional Mexican and Hispanic products and dishes, including belly-filling huaraches, moist tres leches cake and traditional tacos made with corn tortillas.
![Christopher Suarez]()
Written By
Christopher Suarez
![Conner Baker]()
Photography Contributed By
Conner Baker
