Somerset County Government: Somerset County Allocates $2M+ In Open Space Funds To Expand Recreation Opportunities In Densely Populated C ...

Press release from the Somerset County Government:

10/19/2021 8:59 AM

Commissioners Expanded Open Space Grants in January to Include Renovations and Upgrades to Existing Parks and Recreational Facilities

SOMERVILLE, NJ – Somerset County’s Recreational Open Space Grant program surpassed $2 million in allocated grants in its first nine months with the addition of funding for projects in Bridgewater and Franklin Townships. Previously, open space funds were limited primarily to purchases of larger tracts of land which meant communities without available properties were often left out of granting opportunities.

“No matter what community you call home, it’s important for health and quality of life to have outdoor public spaces that are close by, safe, and attractive,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Y. Robinson. “By expanding our open space grant program to include development of new and expansion of existing public spaces in our more densely populated communities, we ensure everyone in Somerset County benefits equally.”

The 2021 Recreational Open Space Grants have gone to five communities:

• Manville was awarded $250,000 for its Lost Valley Nature Park project at the Commissioners’ January 26, 2021 meeting
• South Bound Brook was awarded $350,000 for upgrades to Memorial Park at the Commissioners’ May 25, 2021 meeting
• Bound Brook was awarded $455,000 for improvements to its Municipal Pool at the Commissioners’ July 27, 2021 meeting
• Warren was awarded $300,000 for the replacement of the Pavilion at the Municipal Complex at the Commissioners’ August 24, 2021 meeting
• Bridgewater was awarded $350,000 for trail improvements at Camp Cromwell at the Commissioners’ October 12, 2021 meeting
• Franklin was awarded $360,000 for the development of a playground at Catalpa Park at the Commissioners’ October 12, 2021 meeting

“We expanded the Open Space program because while everyone in Somerset County pays the Open Space tax, not everyone lives in a community with available open space to be purchased,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Sara Sooy. “These six grants show that the Board of Commissioners is committed to fairness, and to ensuring everyone benefits from living in this great County.”

On January 12, 2021, the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners expanded the existing 2008 Recreation Grant Program, which focused on artificial turf athletic field development, to include funding for active and passive municipal recreational spaces such as grass athletic fields, parks, picnic areas, trails, exercise paths, and more. The goal is to continue large property acquisition and farmland preservation whenever possible, but to also ensure Open Space funding is also offered to communities without large available tracts of land.

Communities interested in funding under the Recreation Grant Program must have a well-developed project, preferably “shovel-ready”, with estimated costs and make a funding request in writing to Thomas Boccino, PP, LLA, Principal Planner, Open Space Preservation, Office of Planning, Policy and Economic Development, 20 Grove Street, Somerville, NJ 08876. If the application is deemed viable, the municipality will be asked to make a presentation to the Open Space Advisory Committee. Applications can be made at any time during the year as municipalities are ready.

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This press release was produced by the Somerset County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.