NJ sets aside $99 million for recreation. So, what will South Jersey get?

Phaedra Trethan, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·3 min read

Not every kid can play on every playground. But thanks to nearly $100 million in state funding announced April 18 by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), more kids in South Jersey will have inclusive playgrounds and improved recreational facilities.

The funding is part of NJDEP's Green Acres Program and includes $92.2 million (subject to Garden State Preservation Trust approval) and an additional $7.7 million for Urban Parks projects.

So what will South Jersey communities receive, and how will they use it?

Sixteen municipalities have received funding recommendations under the Urban Parks projects, including three in South Jersey:

  • Mount Holly is proposing a multi-use synthetic turf field and canoe launch at Iron Works Park, as well as lighting and other improvements;

  • Salem City, participating for the first time in the state's Green Acres program, is planning to rehab three existing pools and accessible lifts at two of its municipal pools. It's also planning to install a pavilion, benches, picnic table and playground.

  • Pennsauken is also planning to make improvements to its municipal pool complex, including pool and tennis court repairs, a parkour-style obstacle course, refurbished hockey deck, a new multi-use path and resurfaced parking lot.

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The Green Acres Jake's Law Pilot program offers a 75 percent matching grant for county governments to build inclusive playgrounds. Eight recommendations have been made, including two in South Jersey:

  • Long Bridge Park in Hainesport would receive $1 million to replace an existing playground with accessible playground equipment in a central park location. The project also includes safety surfacing, lawn and landscaping, seating and fencing.

  • New Brooklyn Park in Winslow would also get $1 million for inclusive swings, freestanding play areas and wheelchair-compatible equipment such as a merry-go-round. Look for a new drop-off area, sidewalks and trailer restrooms as well.

  • Bridgeton's Library will receive $1 million award toward the construction of a playground next to it. It would be the first accessible playground west of Vineland and Millville and include a soft surface, fencing, seating and walkway around its perimeter.

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The following Green Acres projects are also in the works in South Jersey:

  • Egg Harbor Township is looking to install synthetic turf and sod, add parking and fencing and create a walking path around the athletic fields at Tony Canale Park.

  • Pleasantville hopes to build a linear waterfront park linking Jokers Field and the Pleasantville Marina. It also wants to redevelop the former sports complex into a nature park.

  • Vineland plans to add exercise circuit stations around the track, develop a sensory garden and add a restroom facility at the Joseph E. Romano Sports Complex.

  • Burlington Township is proposing improvements at the Green Acres park at 1001 Old York Road, including resurfacing the football field and replacing an existing bandshell.

  • Evesham is looking to improve the former Beagle Club, removing dead and dying trees and invasive species; restoring and creating trails and creating a small parking area with an eye towards transforming the open space into a passive recreation park.

  • Riverside is looking to improve Spring Garden Park, adding a fenced play area for 2- to 5-year-olds; more play equipment for 5- to 12-year-olds and musical play features, seating, gazebo and path upgrades. The township is also planning new benches, waste receptacles and green infrastructure features.

  • Gloucester City's Johnson Park will see improvements to playground equipment, gazebo and walking/jogging trails; new parks for small and large dogs and new benches.

  • Mulberry Station Park in Gloucester Township would get new playground equipment, fitness equipment and benches.

  • Francis Avenue Park in Woodbury would get improvements to its six existing natural grass ballfields, two new concrete dugouts, bleachers, bike and helmet racks, bullpen netting, fence repairs, benches, lighting, scoreboards and upgrades to its existing storage and concession/restroom buildings.

To learn more about New Jersey's Green Acres Program, visit www.NJGreenAcres.org

Phaedra Trethan has been a reporter and editor in South Jersey since 2007 and has called the region home since 1971. Contact her at ptrethan@gannettnj.com, on Twitter @wordsbyPhaedra, or by phone at 856.486-2417.

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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: What's South Jersey's share of NJDEP $99M in recreation funds?