Laura Cavender: Haverford Township 5th Ward Commissioner
Welcome to Haverford’s 5th Ward
The 5th ward has an amazing community: 5,400 residents, four parks, three schools, and a college. I am proud to serve each of you as your commissioner.
Ward 5 includes the Coopertown, Brynford, and Merion Golf Club neighborhoods, as well as Haverford College, the Ss. Colman and John Neumann School, Coopertown Elementary, and Haverford Friends School.
Ward 5’s parks and playgrounds include Polo Field, Preston Field, Elwell Field, and Highland Park (adjacent to Coopertown Elementary). In addition, Ward 5 includes the business districts on Haverford Road near County Line Road and Buck Lane, and Lancaster Avenue in Bryn Mawr.
My Work as Commissioner
- Advocated for a much-needed Safe Streets Study in the Brynford neighborhood funded entirely by grants. Safety recommendations are ready for implementation.
- Prioritized the expansion and renovation of the Haverford Township Free Library – the largest library in Delaware County – and supported the use of grant funding and fundraising to help defray costs.
- Established a weekly email newsletter reaching more than 1,500 residents, knocking on doors throughout Ward 5, and responded to more than 100 resident emails and calls monthly. If I haven’t knocked on your door yet or met you, I plan to soon.
- Negotiated the ownership transfer of the historic, 18-acre Polo Field, the largest community park in Haverford Township. Also partnered with municipal governments and residents to create an improved Polo Field.
- Identified ways for Haverford to improve sustainability practices, expand playground camps, pay employees more equitably, and increase accessibility with safer roads, sidewalks, and other common areas.
More About Me
Before being elected 5th Ward Commissioner in 2021, I served on the Haverford Township Human Relations Commission. In addition to being a mom, i work as an independent communications consultant, primarily for universities, non-profits, and CEOs.
My previous experience includes serving as a communications director, advisor, and speechwriter for higher education and non-profit organizations, including the University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown University, and the American Red Cross in Washington.
I moved to Haverford Township in 2014 and am proud to be involved in my local community. My youngest son attends Coopertown Elementary, my daughter attends Haverford High School, and my older son is in high school in Lewisburg, PA.
I work hard to ensure my constituents’ needs are heard and that our township acts in the best interests of our community.
If you would like to be involved, I can always use help from my constituents to spread the word about what makes Ward 5 strong and unique.
You can always donate to my campaign using the form on the left. Your donation helps me conduct outreach to constituents and purchase campaign materials.