Kevin Riordan: Remaking site that 'made Collingswood'

The pale yellow "clubhouse" rises within a lush cluster of trees near the southern edge of Knight Park, a souvenir of a more genteel time.

Designed by Atlantic City architect Andrew Doughty in a vaguely Shore-inspired style, the landmark Collingswood structure is missing portions of its porch and most of its open-sided rooftop gallery, or belvedere.

But it's still impressive. So much so that the Proud Neighbors of Collingswood organization is donating $25,000 to begin restoring the place, more commonly known as the park superintendent's house.

"We've done smaller projects," says Marlene Granitz, president of the 50-member civic group known for its annual Porch Brunch and House Tour. "But this is big for us."

A friend and I arrive at the 61-acre triangle of green that is Knight Park on the last day of June. We've come to hear about the proposed restoration of the clubhouse, an effort very much in the early stages.

First, some history: Now owned by a private trust, Knight Park was built by wealthy industrialists on a swampy stretch of Camden County farmland in the late 1880s. Visitors arrived at the nearby Reading or Pennsylvania Railroad station and were entertained at the clubhouse.

"The users of the park weren't from Collingswood, because [few] houses had been built here yet. Well-to-do came here by train from Philadelphia and Camden," historian Ed Fox tells the crowd of about 25 people.

"If you wanted to have a soiree, this was the place," Fox says. "It was a wonderful place to sit and enjoy yourself."

Although it wasn't intended to be a residence, the clubhouse became home to two successive families of park superintendents after 1929. At that point, the borough had been built around the park, and hard times lessened the frequency of posh parties at a clubhouse.

Carl Jubb, who lived in the house from 1973 until last year, was on hand for the presentation.

"To see the house taken care of - that's what I want to see," says Jubb, who's 63 and now lives in Audubon Park.

Former Mayor Michael Brennan, a lawyer who is president of the Knight Park Trust, says restoration will likely cost at least $200,000.

Perhaps a new tenant could renovate the house in exchange for reduced rent. "That seems to make the most sense," Brennan says, adding that a restored clubhouse "would be great for the town."