Parks In The Oranges Will See Improvements From State Grants: DEP

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Locations in West Orange, East Orange and Orange will get improvements as a result of funding from 2017 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres grants, state officials have announced.

Funding for all Green Acres projects are contingent upon the New Jersey Legislature's passage of an appropriation bill, state officials said.

Here’s what the DEP had to say about the grant awards.

West Orange Multipark Development - $45,525 Matching Grant Award, $136,575 Loan Award: “The Township of West Orange is requesting Green Acres funds for a multi-field park development project that will greatly enhance two centrally-located public recreational facilities in the community: Degnan Field and Lafayette Field. West Orange is divided into roughly four main sections and the township believes that each neighborhood should have a quality recreational facility that provides local residents easy access to a range of outdoor activities. Degnan Field serves the Pleasant Valley Way neighborhood; upgrades there will positively impact playing conditions for girls softball and little league baseball. Combined, the proposed improvements will have both short- and long-term benefits that include increasing recreational opportunities for all. Lafayette Field is located in the township's densely-populated downtown, which has an urban character and serves a mostly minority population. Field developments at this location will include the conversion of an underutilized baseball field into a futsal/volleyball field that will better align with the recreational interests of local residents.”

Orange - Multipark Improvements - $1 Million Matching Grant Award – The City of Orange Township has requested Green Acres funding to allow them to continue ongoing improvements at Colgate Park, located at North Center and New Streets, Ropes Playground, which is located at the intersection of Washington and Bradford Streets, and Alden and High Street Park. At Colgate Park, the city proposes to install a new skate park, playground, tee ball area, resurface the basketball courts, and renovate the pool. At Ropes Playground, the city proposes to install new fencing, a spray park, lighting upgrades, walkways, playground equipment and field house improvements. At High and Alden Street Park, the city proposes to install a synthetic turf athletic field, concrete work, and security, decorative and sports lighting.”

East Orange - Columbian Park Improvements - $1 Million Matching Grant Award: “The City of East Orange would like to make comprehensive upgrades to Columbian Playground, an existing park located in the city's 5th Ward. Columbian Playground is a 4.4-acre park space behind George Washington Carver Elementary School and residential properties. The city would like to improve and enhance the recreational resources in East Orange, in accordance with goals established in the 2013 East Orange Parks Master Plan. Improvements will include a rubberized walking track, multipurpose sports field, expanded pool deck, new entrance landscaping and fencing, a new volleyball court, outdoor exercise equipment, repaving the basketball court, and rebuilding the field house. The objective of the proposed improvements is to help make Columbian Playground an inviting space, and prime location for passive and active recreation in East Orange.”

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