New Brunswick Getting $65K in State Grants to Upgrade Recreation Facilities

The city has been awarded a $65,000 grant by the state earmarked for local recreation improvement.

The state announced last week that 372 municipalities, counties and school districts across New Jersey will receive a share of the $25 million in grants distributed through the Department of Community Affairs’ Division of Local Government Services (DCA).

The grant money, awarded through a competitive application process, is aimed at ensuring public access to quality outdoor space and recreation facilities.

“DCA recognizes that a big part of what makes a community healthy and dynamic is having well-maintained public places for outdoor activities. For three years running, the department has provided grants to local governments to help them upgrade their parks, playgrounds, sports fields, and other recreational spaces,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “We are proud of this investment in our communities because we know the positive impact it has on people’s physical and mental well-being.”

Grant recipients will use the funding to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts, and recreational facilities.

The grants can also be utilized for project-development professional services such as engineering and architectural costs; equipment costs including playgrounds or bleachers for stadiums or community theaters; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use.

Among Middlesex County recipients, South River ($79,000) will get the largest grant. Highland Park was awarded $75,000. Among neighboring towns, neither Piscataway nor Franklin will receive grant awards.

The Local Recreation Improvement Grant is a competitive grant that supports improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers and local stadiums.

The state has prioritized public access to community facilities since it considers access to outdoor recreation and community resources critical for mental and physical health, particularly for those residents with limited or no other access to quality outdoor space or private recreational opportunities.

Story By: Chuck O'Donnell
Photo By: TAPinto New Brunswick