Municipal Park Development Grant Program

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

In July 2010, the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders, under the direction of Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio, created a program that allocates funds in the form of grants from the County Open Space, Recreation and Farmland & Historic Preservation Trust Fund, to assist municipalities in developing and improving active and passive recreational facilities within their towns. Director Garganio designed the Municipal Park Development Grant Program to fund municipal projects that would otherwise not get funding during difficult budgetary years. Freeholders allocate $5 million annually for this program allowing a maximum award of $250,000 per municipality. The grant only covers hard construction costs for the project and will not cover soft costs, equipment, or operation and maintenance fees. A review committee will evaluate the projects. Projects that were not funded will have priority the following year. To date, the freeholders have awarded approximately $20 million dollars to 39 of the 40 municipalities. One town has not applied for funds. The projects have included creating new parks, updating and improving current parks and sports fields, resurfacing tennis and basketball courts, providing more handicapped accessibility, helping with field drainage and creating trails.