Park Improvements Planned Around Berkeley

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley Township officials are seeking state funding in order to improve parks around town.

Resolutions were introduced at a recent Township Council meeting authorizing grant applications to fund improvements at both Veterans Park and the Eastern Boulevard Soccer Complex.

Officials applied for grant of $125,000 from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs to install a bikeway path around and through Veterans Park.

"We think a walking/biking path around Veterans Park would add another amenity of one of our best parks," Amato said.

A lot of walking clubs and biking clubs have sprouted since the pandemic, he said, and a lot of people use Veterans Park.

Expansion is necessary at Eastern Boulevard Soccer Complex as a result of an "explosion" of youth leagues since the pandemic as well, Amato said.

Berkeley is seeking $370,250 from the Green Acres Program to add new fields and expand the parking lot there.

The proposal includes three new soccer fields, three parking lots, three softball fields, a hockey rink and an access loop, according to a public notice.

Amato specifically cited a lack of parking, lack of drainage and some vandalization as what they look to fix there.

Officials are also applying for a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection in order to actually do the work as well, Amato said.

"We need to provide more space," he said.