SPOTSWOOD–The Borough Council approved a resolution authorizing Mayor Jackie Palmer to send a grant application to the Department of Environmental Protection for East Spotswood Park.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres Program of New Jersey, is providing grants through the Urban Parks initiative, according to the council.
The borough desires to further the public interest by obtaining grant funding in the amount of $339,000 from the state to fund improvements to East Spotswood Park, according to the council.
Business Administrator Ryan Michelson said elements in the grant application for East Spotswood Park include:
- Removal of the existing basketball and play equipment;
- Installation of new adult and children’s fitness equipment and stations;
- Construction of large and small dog parks;
- Water comfort station for pets and humans;
- Bike racks, additional benches, park accessories, and if space allows, a walking path.
Michelson said the construction would include the existing veteran memorial located on this site.
The projected construction total and grant request, including engineering design and inspection, is $339,000.
The council approved the resolution on June 14 during the council meeting via video conference and in-person at the municipal building.
The state will determine if the application is complete and in conformance with the scope and intent of the Urban Parks initiative, and notify the applicant of the amount of the funding award, according to the council.
“[Mayor] Palmer believes that among the many services that the Borough of Spotswood offers to the residential community, our parks and recreation are crucial to ensuring a high quality of life. The administration is aggressively pursuing grants, particularly for our borough parks,” Michelson said.
Michelson said the borough recently applied for a grant with the state’s Department of Community Affairs for refurbishment and improvements to Michael Road Park.
“Much like Michael Road Park, the East Spotswood Park is a well-used park that has not had any large-scale refurbishments in several years,” Michelson said. “On June 14, the council authorized Palmer to apply for a grant from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection through the Urban Park initiative; it is the only park in the borough that meets its specific criteria.”
For more information, visit www.spotswoodboro.com/borough-council.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
