Major Upgrades Coming To Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Old Bridge Parks

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — Woodbridge, Carteret, Perth Amboy and Old Bridge have all been determined by the state of New Jersey to be "Adversely Stressed Overburdened Communities," under the new Environmental Justice Law.

New Jersey is the first state in the nation to pass a law such as the Environmental Justice Law, and it is meant to protect New Jersey towns that have already had more than their share of pollution in the past.

That is why the state announced this week these towns qualify for increased Green Acres funding for major park upgrades.

Here is all the work currently being done in Middlesex County, funded by Green Acres public tax dollars:

• Carteret will extend the walkway at Waterfront Park along the Arthur Kill and add a scenic overlook that would extend out over the water. Lighting, railings and site furnishings will be added.
• Old Bridge proposes a four-phase development project to transform the Cottrell Farm property into a park with active and passive recreation activities. The first phase calls for rehabilitating historic structures on the property. Phases two through four would add walking and fitness trails, a splash pad, amphitheater, picnic grove and stormwater management improvements.
• Perth Amboy will develop a waterfront park along Riverview Drive at the base of the Victory Bridge. The park would have an area for dogs, motorized boat launch, picnic area, fishing esplanade and cleaning stations.
• The dog park and adjacent marina in Woodbridge will be improved with new exercise play equipment, gazebos, benches, a walking path and dog comfort amenities. A second parking lot is proposed for additional marina parking and boat storage.

Much of this work has already begun, but some has not yet started. Here are all the Adversely Stressed Overburdened Communities in Urban Aid municipalities; Woodbridge, Carteret, Old Bridge and Perth Amboy are on that list.

These communities are so designated because they have a combined stressor total higher than the 50th percentile for total environmental and public health stressors.