Community Corner

Still Short on Funds, Swede Run Supporters Plow Ahead

Project organizers still plan on making a pitch to Moorestown council for Open Space funds.

Dave Schill, one of the organizers behind the Swede Run Barn restoration, said he's still in the process of drawing up a funding request to pitch to the township.

He said fundraising is , so advocates of the project are planning to ask township council for funding from the Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund.

But Schill said he's not ready to make that pitch until he has an exact dollar figure to present to council. 

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Meanwhile, one of the key contractors, who was to be responsible for building door jambs for the barn, has backed out—"He's just too busy," Schill explained—but fortunately another contractor has already stepped in.

Schill said he'll be building a small loading dock and some steps—due to the slight drop-off from the barn entrance to the floor—and a group of Boy Scouts and their parents will be building new doors for the structure.

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, but the project has cost more than $32,000 to date, according to Schill. 

One of the reasons the project went overbudget was because the existing rafters had to be removed and replaced, nearly doubling the cost.

Project organizer Julie Maravich said ideally they'd like the township to match what the Swede Run supporters have raised so far.

"Then, we will have no trouble completing the project,” she said.

—especially since the land the barn sits on (the 129-acre Benner Farm/Swede Run Fields) was purchased, in part, with money from the Trust Fund.

"It's a very appropriate use of the fund," he said. "I think they should put a presentation together and come to us."

In the meantime, the organizers are concentrating on other fundraising ideas, such as a Swedish-themed dinner, aptly suggested given the barn’s name. 

Another possibility is a race: “Since there is a running path surrounding that area, we could do a race or fun walk,” Maravich said.

If you'd like to make a donation, make your check out to  with “barn restoration” on the memo line. Donations should be mailed to Julie Maravich, 660 Chester Ave., Moorestown, NJ 08057.


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