$99.9 Million Investment in Community Recreation Initiatives Across the State

Morris County, NJ – Yesterday, Governor Phil Murphy announced a nearly $100 million investment in projects aimed at developing or updating parks and preserving open space, including a new initiative to fund the construction of inclusive playgrounds for differently abled children. 

The funding comes through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Green Acres Program and aims to enhance the quality of life for residents across New Jersey.

The proposed investment includes $92.2 million in funding subject to approval by the Garden State Preservation Trust, and an additional $7.7 million for Urban Parks projects, bringing the total to $99.9 million.

The $92.2 million in projects recommended to the Garden State Preservation Trust include funding for municipal and county land acquisition projects ($27.2 million), local development of parks and recreation facilities ($45.1 million), development of Completely Inclusive Playgrounds as part of Jake’s Law ($7.4 million), local stewardship projects ($3.8 million), acquisition projects by nonprofit organizations ($4.4 million), nonprofit recreational development projects ($3.6 million), and nonprofit stewardship projects ($720,000).

In addition to these projects, DEP has approved $7.7 million for park development projects serving Adversely Stressed and Overburdened Communities in Urban Aid municipalities, emphasizing the Murphy Administration’s commitment to environmental justice.

Major local projects recommended for matching grants of $1 million or more include developments in Atlantic County, Bergen County, Cumberland County, Essex County, Hudson County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Passaic County, and Union County.

New Jersey's Green Acres Program, the oldest of its kind in the nation, has protected more than 720,000 acres of open space and provided hundreds of recreational facilities around the state since its inception in 1961. The DEP is a partner in the Governor’s Population Health Challenge, promoting health through state agency policies. Studies have found that investments in parks and recreational amenities positively impact health and fitness, leading to a better quality of life for residents.

For more information on the Green Acres Program, visit www.NJGreenAcres.org.

URBAN PARKS PROJECTS

Sixteen municipalities in nine counties have been recommended to receive funding. Among them:

1. Mount Holly Township: Iron Works Park multi-purpose synthetic turf field, canoe launch, lighting, and aesthetic improvements.
2. Morris Township: Collinsville Playground, Tucker Field community garden, athletic field, seating, & landscaping improvements, and the addition of a walking/jogging path and new play equipment.
3. Morristown: Burnham Park Lower Pond restoration including hydro-raking, improving water quality, and increasing flood storage capacity.
4. East Orange: Memorial Park basketball court and park entrance reconstruction, stormwater management system, fitness area, playground, and spray park.
5. Paterson: Westside Park accessible ramp and staging area, riparian and meadow enhancements, pedestrian pathways, picnic area, children's garden, play area, and athletic complex improvements.

INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PROJECTS

The eight Completely Inclusive Playground projects recommended for funding are:

1. Riverside County Park South: $1 million for accessible play equipment, safety surfacing, lawn and landscaped areas, seating, and fencing.
2. Long Bridge Park: $1 million for nature-themed playground equipment, interaction, socialization, education, and discovery spaces.
3. New Brooklyn Park: $1 million for inclusive swings, freestanding play areas, wheelchair-compatible equipment, drop-off area, sidewalks, and trailer restrooms.
4. Bridgeton: $1 million for an accessible playground with a pour-in-play surface, fencing, seating, and perimeter walkway.
5. James J. Braddock Park: $1 million for play equipment for ages 5-12, turf safety surface.
6. Camp Hope: $903,375 for accessible paths, parking, ramps, climbing structures, ground-level play structures, and safety fencing.
7. Eno’s Pond County Park: $771,750 for playground replacement.
8. David B. Crabiel Park: $750,000 for play equipment, fencing, and ADA-compliant curb and ramp improvements.

GREEN ACRES PROJECTS

Major local projects recommended for matching grants of $1 million or more include:

1. Atlantic County: Synthetic turf, parking, fencing, and walking paths at Tony Canale Park; waterfront park and nature park in Pleasantville.
2. Bergen County: Riverside County Park improvements; Columbus Park active and passive recreational improvements.
3. Cumberland County: Exercise circuit stations, sensory garden, and restroom facility in Vineland.
4. Essex County: Weequahic Park jogging track and park improvements; Broadway Park creation.
5. Hudson County: Laurel Hill County Park habitat gardens and improvements; Cape May Street Waterfront Park development; Southwest Park expansion and improvements.
6. Mercer County: Synthetic turf, lighting, sidewalks, fencing, and parking improvements at Mercer County Park; Assunpink Greenway Park expansion.
7. Middlesex County: Waterfront Park walkway extension, scenic overlook, lighting, railings, and site furnishings in Carteret; Cottrell Farm park development in Old Bridge; Perth Amboy waterfront park; Woodbridge dog park and marina improvements.
8. Passaic County: Nash Park basketball court resurfacing, playground renovation, splash pad, dog area upgrades, restroom renovations, and walking path in Clifton; Third Ward Veterans Memorial Park and Mayor Johnson Park improvements in Passaic.
9. Union County: Rushmore Avenue Recreational Complex improvements in Plainfield; Warren Street Park improvements in Roselle.

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