FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2024
Contact:
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795
(24/P014) TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette today announced $117 million in recommended Green Acres funding for development and enhancement of parks and preservation of open space. Representing the highest level of Green Acres project funding since 2009, the DEP’s recommended funding package reflects the Administration’s commitment to overburdened communities and inclusive recreation.
The funding recommendations, announced in celebration of Earth Week, will improve recreation opportunities for residents across New Jersey and now advance to the independent Garden State Preservation Trust (GSPT) for review, approval and submission to the New Jersey Legislature for appropriation.
Commissioner LaTourette joined with local and state officials to announce the recommended investments during an Earth Week event at The Monroe Community Garden and Park in Monroe Township, Middlesex County, which is among the 49 completely inclusive playground projects recommended for funding. The DEP is recommending $33 million to significantly expand the number of completely inclusive playgrounds for differently abled children. For a complete list of projects recommended for funding, and to learn more about the Green Acres Program, visit www.NJGreenAcres.org
“New Jersey is poised to make a historically significant investment in its parks and the people who depend on them for recreation, open space and a sense of community for all,” Governor Murphy said. “The grants and loans proposed for these projects will provide opportunities for residents and visitors alike – across the Garden State – to engage in healthy activities, enjoy the outdoors and spend quality family time together.”
“The Murphy Administration recognizes the importance of ensuring that outdoor recreation is not only inclusive for all individuals, but safe in terms of quality equipment and surfaces,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “As we celebrate Earth Week, it is especially meaningful that we are adding playgrounds throughout New Jersey to give more children the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and connect with one another, while also expanding the public’s inventory of open space and lands statewide."
“Since its establishment in 1961, the Green Acres Program has dutifully protected New Jersey's natural and cultural gems, preserving more than 681,000 acres of open space and aiding over 1,200 park initiatives. Green Acres perpetuates a tradition of conservation and recreation for future generations,” said 14th District Senator Linda R. Greenstein. “Monroe Township's plan for the Monroe Community Garden mirrors this legacy, embodying stewardship and community enhancement, fostering a sustainable connection between nature and residents that will endure through time.”
“During the Earth Week celebration, it is crucial that we make efforts to restore our planet. The introduction of the Green Acres funding is a remarkable step toward ensuring equal access to parks throughout our state,” said 14th District Assemblywoman Tennille R. McCoy. “This initiative not only enhances recreational options but also fosters community well-being and environmental responsibility. I commend New Jersey’s dedication to improving our parks and providing new recreational opportunities across the state. These projects not only help mitigate the effects of climate change but also enhance the overall quality of life for everyone.”
“We thank the Department of Environmental Protection for their commitment to and investment in the completely inclusive playground project to help 49 playgrounds across the state become more inclusive and provide equitable access to recreational activities and spaces in the community. This effort aligns with our Inclusive Healthy Communities program to make New Jersey inclusive for all where they live, work and play,” said Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman.
“We are thrilled with the opportunity to improve The Monroe Township Community Garden Park as envisioned in our Master Plan thanks in large part to this funding,” said Monroe Township Mayor Stephen Dalina. “I would like to thank Governor Murphy and Commissioner LaTourette and our 14th Legislative District representatives for their significant investment in this much anticipated project.”
Green Acres funding allows local governments and nonprofits to leverage millions of additional preservation dollars through matching federal, state, county and local funds, as well as from private sources. Many of the projects recommended for funding this year address inclusivity and recreation for all, especially in Overburdened Communities.
For this funding round, Green Acres expanded a 2023 county-focused pilot program, inviting municipalities to also apply for grants to create completely inclusive playgrounds, constructed in compliance with standards established by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
BY THE NUMBERS
Green Acres has recommended $108 million in projects to the GSPT, including:
Once approved by GSPT and appropriated by the Legislature, these funds will help create new parks, expand and revitalize existing parks, acquire land, improve waterfront access, develop athletic fields and playgrounds, create open space and enhance land stewardship.
In addition to these projects, DEP has approved $8.6 million in Urban Parks grants for park development projects serving Adversely Stressed Overburdened Communities in Urban Aid municipalities.
The DEP prioritized Green Acres and Urban Parks projects that contribute to resilience or mitigate climate change impacts by protecting forested and flood-prone areas, enhancing chronically inundated wetlands, revegetating riparian areas, connecting wildlife corridors, expanding upstream flooding attenuation potential, promoting wildlife and/or including green infrastructure.
Funding proposed for these projects comes from both the DEP’s Green Acres Program, funded by the Corporate Business Tax, and the Urban Parks Program, which is funded by a state budget appropriation.
“The Green Acres Program looks forward to working with our local government and nonprofit partners to complete these critically important acquisition and park development projects,” said Martha Sullivan Sapp, Green Acres program Director. “We are funding projects in every county in New Jersey, ensuring residents and visitors have high quality, close-to-home parks and open spaces to enjoy.”
INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PROJECTS
The most significant change in this year’s funding recommendations is a major expansion in the eligibility and number of Jake’s Law projects, resulting in the approval of 49 completely inclusive playgrounds in 16 counties. For the second year, Green Acres is recommending 75% matching grant funding for these types of projects, expanding from only counties in 2023 to counties and municipalities in this funding round.
Among the completely inclusive playground projects recommended for $1 million each in matching funds are:
In addition to these projects, another 23 completely inclusive playgrounds are recommended to receive grants of $750,000 and 23 others would receive grants ranging from $330,000 to $915,000.
URBAN PARKS PROJECTS
Although land acquisition and historic preservation projects are also eligible for Urban Parks funding, all 14 requests received this year are for recreational park development projects. These types of projects can include games and sports, picnicking, fishing, biking, swimming, nature and historic interpretation, or similar activities.
Fourteen local governments in 11 counties will receive funding for projects in their communities. Among them:
GREEN ACRES PROJECTS
Major local projects approved for matching grants of $1 million or more include:
ATLANTIC COUNTY
Atlantic City would make bikeway improvements to the scenic Gardner's Basin Waterfront Park and parking areas. Funds would also enhance signage, landscaping, lighting and electric vehicle charging stations.
BERGEN COUNTY
BURLINGTON COUNTY
Mount Holly proposed an athletic field and canoe launch at Iron Works Park. The township also proposes lighting, walkways, bleachers and ADA parking.
CAMDEN COUNTY
Cooper River Park in Camden proposes enhancing Cooper River Park with a playground, fitness equipment, shade structures and landscaping.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
An inclusive playground featuring a sensory garden, exercise circuit stations around an existing running/walking track, and a new restroom facility are proposed for the Joseph E. Romano Sports Complex in Vineland.
ESSEX COUNTY
HUDSON COUNTY
MERCER COUNTY
The former American Biltrite Rubber Site in Trenton would be converted and transformed into the proposed Amtico Square Skatepark Complex with night sky friendly lighting and a shade structure. Several multi-purpose game courts would be constructed at the park for bicycle polo, street soccer, tennis, basketball and volleyball. A trail would be built along the creek toward Capital City Farm and the D&R Canal Towpath.
MIDDLESEX COUNTY
PASSAIC COUNTY
UNION COUNTY
WARREN COUNTY
Phillipsburg would initiate a rails-to-trails project by acquiring an existing rail bed that runs through much of the town. The city intends to transform the property into trails that would enhance the downtown, offer community recreation opportunities and provide habitat for wildlife.
ABOUT GREEN ACRES
New Jersey’s Green Acres program was created in 1961 to meet the state’s growing recreation and conservation needs. Together with public and private partners, Green Acres has protected nearly 725,000 acres of open space and provided hundreds of outdoor recreational facilities in communities around the state. To date, the total acreage of protected open space and farmland across New Jersey exceeds 1.5 million acres.
Green Acres projects create jobs and stimulate economic development by making communities more attractive places to live and work, consequently boosting civic pride. They also improve air and water quality, providing residents with a better quality of life.
The DEP is a partner in the Governor’s Population Health Challenge, which calls on state agencies to promote public health through their policies. Studies have found that investments in parks and recreational amenities positively impact health and fitness, resulting in less strain on the health-care system. Studies also demonstrate that people are likely to be more physically active if they live close to parks and recreational facilities.