Nestled in the heart of Logan Township, the Gloucester County Dream Park, located at 400 US Route 130 South, has become a home for equestrian activities and community events.
The park was originally known as the Delaware River Equestrian Agriculture Marina. The focus now is on the equestrian industry.
Under the guidance of its director, Flossie Ale, this versatile venue has evolved into much more than just a horse park. Since it opened back in June of 2008, it is now a vital economic engine, a hub for diverse activities and a place where dreams become reality.
The land that the Dream Park now occupies has a very unique history. The location was the site of dredge material from the Delaware River for approximately two decades, ending in the 1980s. The land was slated again in 2000 by the Army Corps of Engineers to be another dredge spoil dumping site, but the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners stepped in and it and zoned it for recreational use.
Due to the prior river soil dredging, the land went through a two phase site remediation conducted before construction began, to address arsenic that had contaminated the groundwater. The remediation costs, allotted to $345,000, with 75 percent of the costs being covered by a parks and recreation grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF).
Following the remediation, the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners recognized the need and opportunity that would come with creating a world-class equestrian facility, to serve not only horse owners and enthusiasts but also the broader community throughout the Gloucester County region and the state.
Through this forward vision and dedication, the Dream Park stands today.
The Dream Park is a perfect place for those who love horses and want to get more hands-on experience working with them. Ale describes the park’s therapeutic horse riding program, designed for children and adults with developmental, physical, and mental or emotional challenges.
The therapeutic program offers lessons tailored to meet the physical, mental, or social needs of the rider. These lessons are run two days a week, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, in the parks therapeutic building.
Ale also shares that the park offers lessons for youth and adults who are simply interested in learning to ride horses. Additionally, during the summer months, Dream Park offers a summer camp program for youth.
While horses are at the heart of Dream Park’s work, the venue’s versatility is one of its strongest assets. Dream Park doesn’t just accommodate horse shows. It hosts agility dog shows, tech swaps, weddings, and even a Sportsman Jamboree Federation event set to take place this spring.
Flossie notes, “There’s not any event that we can’t accommodate what they need. For example, if they need a dance floor, we roll the dirt in the main arena so it’s like cement. We can do pretty much anything when it comes to events.”
This adaptability has made Dream Park a standout location for a wide array of events, attracting visitors with diverse interests from across the region. Flossie adds, “We’re usually booked up 51 weeks out of the year, and we’re booked a year ahead of ourselves. So, we’re booked up to 2026 right now.”
The park’s infrastructure is nothing short of impressive. Ale proudly describes the park’s extensive facilities: the main arena measures 300 feet by 150 feet and provides plenty of space for competitions and exhibitions. A newly added covered pen, measuring 280 feet by 150 feet, enhances the park’s outdoor offerings, while a smaller covered practice arena, 120 feet by 144 feet, is ideal for training sessions.
Additionally, the park holds two large outdoor arenas, each 300 feet by 150 feet, and a smaller lunging pen measuring 150 feet by 150 feet. Equine accommodations include 278 permanent stalls, each 10 feet by 10 feet and equipped with mats for comfort.
To handle overflow during larger events, the park offers 36 portable stalls located in the therapeutic building. These features make Dream Park a versatile and well-equipped destination for a variety of equestrian events and others.
The impact of Dream Park extends far beyond its fences. Ale emphasizes its economic importance to Logan Township: “There’s a theory that for every horse, there are three people.”
She elaborates that a horse show with 200 horses can bring in approximately $100,000 to $150,000, largely benefiting the state and the township by driving business to the local convenience stores, restaurants and hotels in the area.
The Dream Park thrives not only because of its impressive facilities, but also because of the dedicated individuals who make it all possible. Flossie oversees two essential teams: a skilled boarding barn staff capable of caring for up to 40 horses, and a hardworking maintenance team of five operators who ensure the property, stalls, and bathrooms remain impeccably clean and ready for use seven days a week.
Complementing these teams are the volunteers, who are the heart of Dream Park’s therapeutic lesson program. These volunteers play a pivotal role in creating transformative experiences for riders. They serve as horse leaders, who are responsible for preparing and handling the horses during lessons, or as side walkers, who walk alongside riders during therapeutic riding lessons and provide physical support and encouragement during lessons.
Working closely with instructors, volunteers help foster a safe, supportive environment that builds confidence and encourages the growth of riders. To ensure their success, every volunteer undergoes a brief training session before stepping into their role.
With success often comes obstacles, but challenges aren’t something Dream Park tends to face. Ale’s extensive history in the equestrian industry has made running Dream Park seamless and an experience fueled by pure passion.
With 30 years of experience running horse shows, not just in New Jersey but across North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and other states, she has mastered the nuances of organizing these events. Her son has even followed in her footsteps and now trains horses in Oklahoma.
“It comes pretty first-hand to me,” Ale explains. “You learn what each event wants. You have different breed shows, open shows, and each one needs something different.”
What truly sets the Dream Park apart is its unwavering commitment to customer service. Flossie emphasizes the importance of adapting to the unique requirements of different associations and groups.
She also shares that the team makes sure to have extras of the key components that go into making these shows happen, so even if something malfunctions the show can still go on seamlessly. This attention to detail, combined with her extensive experience, allows her team to anticipate and address potential issues before they arise.
“I think we’re even more successful every year because of the customer service that we give,” she says. “We kind of go above and beyond sometimes, but they keep coming back. Repeat business must mean you’re doing a good job.”
The park’s management actively seeks feedback from show managers and association presidents, using their input to continually refine and improve the Dream Park experience. This dedication ensures that visitors leave with not just memories but a desire to return.
As Gloucester County Dream Park continues to grow and evolve, it stands as an example of how a well-managed, multi-purpose facility can become a cornerstone for community life. Whether you’re a competitive equestrian, a casual horse lover, agility dog competitor, or simply someone looking for a unique event venue, the Dream Park offers something for everyone.
The park’s success story is a testament to what happens when vision, adaptability and community engagement come together, with the credit for this going to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes on a daily basis.
As it moves forward, the Dream Park is sure to continue its role as a center of activity, education, and economic growth, ensuring that the spirit of equestrianism and community collaboration rides on for generations to come in Gloucester County.
By Asiya Robinson
