EASTAMPTON – Burlington County officials said the provision of free WiFi in public facilities is an “important milestone.”
Speakers at a recent ceremony said the service is now available at nine county parks, including Delran, Hainesport and Willingboro.
This completes a $1.6 million federally funded project approved by county commissioners in April.
Free WiFi is available in 20 county-owned buildings and all 15 locations in the county library system.
“Reliable internet has become a necessity, not only at home and at work, but also in public places where people gather for recreation,” Commissioner Tom Prion said at the internet-enabled Smithville Park in Easthampton. He said this at an event on October 26th.
The service will also benefit people who “cannot afford reliable internet service at home,” the county said in a statement.
More than 100,000 users have connected to the countywide WiFi service so far this year, the statement said.
An estimated 15,000 households in the county did not have internet service at home in 2020, citing U.S. Census figures.
Which parks in Burlington County have free WiFi?
WiFi service allows park visitors to take advantage of online resources such as the county park system app with trail maps.
The county began promoting WiFi at the Burlington County Fairgrounds in Columbus in July.
Since then, WiFi has been added to Rainbow Meadow Park in Delran, Long Bridge Park in Hainesport, Crystal Lake Park in Mansfield and Willingboro Lakes Park.
Internet access is also available at Pennington Park in Delanco, Smith Woods in Eastampton, and Ernie’s Mount Park in Springfield.
More parks may be able to get WiFi service as funding becomes available.
The county also plans to equip some vehicles with “hotspots” that will provide free Wi-Fi for special events and emergencies.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.
