Municipal Open Space Grant Programs

In 2023, the Board of County Commissioners revised the Municipal Open Space Grant Program and split it into two new programs, one grant program for parks and open space development projects and a new shared services program to assist with municipal open space acquisitions.
   
The Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program assists municipalities by providing additional funding needed to make park improvements in municipal parks and open space. The Municipal Open Space Grant Program was previously limited to $2 million a year and up to $250,000 per project. The new grant program is funded at $6 million a year and up to $500,000 per project. The Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program has expanded to include dredging projects for parks and recreation purposes and the grant application process has been simplified and streamlined.
   
Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program applications will be due Thursday, July 11, 2024, and will be awarded in October. The Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program is still a competitive program. The project eligibility and evaluation criteria are described in the Policy and Procedures Manual.
  
Please click below for 2024 Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program application information: 

The Board of County Commissioners selected the following projects for 2023 funding:    
  
Borough of Atlantic Highlands   
Improvements to Harbor Skate Park - $200,000

Borough of Tinton Falls   
Wardell Park Restroom Building - $195,000

Township of Colts Neck   
Improvements to Five Points Park - $200,000

Borough of Keyport  
2022 Park Improvement Project - $100,000

Borough of West Long Branch  
 Angelo Valenzano Park & Franklin Lake Park- $100,000

Township of Aberdeen  
Northland Park - $343,000

Borough of Roosevelt   
Restoration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Amphitheater & Grounds - $330,000

Borough of Manasquan   
Winterstella Park (p/o Mallard Park) Playground Improvements - $174,000

Borough of Eatontown   
Fresh Start 80 Acre Park - $151,000

Township of Middletown   
Bodman Park Field Improvements - $342,000

Township of Hazlet   
New Indoor Recreation Facility with Multipurpose Courts - $343,000

Township of Wall   
Permanent Bathroom Facilities at Orchard Park - $220,000

Borough of Matawan   
Clinton Street Park Improvements - $192,000

Borough of Rumson  
Meadow Ridge Park Improvement Grant - $331,000

Borough of Oceanport   
Maria Gatta Park Lighting - $330,000

Borough of Allentown  
Heritage Dog Park, Sarah Barnes Park & Dr. Farmer's Park -  $316,000

Borough of Avon   
Inclusive Playground Project - $115,000

Borough of Monmouth Beach   
Shorelands Park Improvements - $150,000

Borough of Sea Girt  
Improvements to Memorial Park - $150,000

Borough of Spring Lake   
Passive Recreation Enhancements to Marucci Memorial Park - $170,000

Borough of Lake Como   
Improvements to Behrman Park - $200,000

Township of Neptune   
Welsh Farms Property - Park Improvements - $326,000

Borough of Belmar   
Dempsey Park Improvements - $198,000

Borough of Bradley Beach  
Improvements to Recreation Center Park - $265,000

Borough of Little Silver  
Improvements to Sickles Park - Phase II $90,000

City of Asbury Park   
Deal Lake Park Improvements - $225,000

Borough of Marlboro   
Tennant Road Walking Trail - $172,000

Township of Manalapan   
Thompson Grove Trails Project - $27,000

Township of Holmdel   
Bayonet Farm Park Improvements - $272,000
 
Borough of Keansburg   
Friendship Park Improvements - $80,000

Township of Upper Freehold   
 Improvements to Byron Johnson Recreation Park - $196,000
  

    Grant Closeout Documents for Park Development Projects: 

    The Monmouth County Municipal Land Preservation Incentive Program assists municipalities by providing additional funding needed to preserve lands for municipal parks and open space. These are cooperative projects with the Board of Recreation Commissioners and County Commissioners. The applications will be accepted throughout the year on a first-come, first-served basis with a limitation of one active acquisition project per municipality at a time.
      
    For projects up to $5 million, the county will match up to 75% of acquisition costs not funded by the State Green Acres program; for projects over $5 million, the county will fund 75% of the first $5 million and 50% of the amount over $5 million of acquisition costs not funded by the State Green Acres program.
      
      
    Both the Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program and Monmouth County Municipal Land Preservation Incentive Program are administered by the Monmouth County Park System on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners.
      
    Questions and correspondence regarding the Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program should be addressed to the Monmouth County Park System, Acquisition and Design Office, Attn: Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738. For additional information, please call 732-609-4751 or email brockwellsolutions@gmail.com.
       
    Questions and correspondence regarding the Monmouth County Municipal Land Preservation Incentive Program should be addressed to the Monmouth County Park System, Acquisition and Design Office, Attn: Municipal Land Preservation Incentive Program, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738. For additional information, please call 732-842-4000, ext. 4263, or email pgleitz@monmouthcountyparks.com.