Municipal Open Space Grant Programs

For 2023, the Board of County Commissioners has 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 will assist 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 13, 2023, 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 2023 Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program application information:   
   

The Board of County Commissioners selected the following projects for 2022 funding:    
  
Township of Millstone 
Clarksburg Cultural Center Grant III, Phase 2 - $200,000
  
City of Long Branch  
Manahasset Creek Park & Pleasure Bay Park Improvements - $250,000
  
Borough of Belmar    
Improvements to Lake Como - $200,000
  
Borough of Avon-by-the-Sea   
Volunteer Park Facilities Improvement Project - $73,000
  
Wall Township   
Inclusionary Playground at Community Park - $200,000
   
Borough of Matawan   
Clinton Street Park Improvements - $97,000
   
Borough of Shrewsbury   
Playground Improvements to Robert Graham Athletic Fields - $100,000
  
Township of Middletown   
McMahon Park Improvements Project Phase II - $250,000
  
Borough of Eatontown    
Gurbisz Park, Broad St. & Nicodemus Avenue - $100,000
   
Borough of Manasquan    
Improvements to Curtis Park Phase III - $90,000
  
Borough of Union Beach   
Improvements to Scholer Park - Phase IX - $125,000
  
Borough of Monmouth Beach   
Griffin Park Improvements - Phase III - $200,000
  
Borough of Spring Lake
Marucci Memorial Park Improvements - $250,000
  
Borough of Highlands   
Improvements to Overlook Park - $148,000
  
City of Asbury Park 
Fourth Avenue and Heck Street Park Playground Improvements / Liberty Square Fountain Rehabilitation - $250,000
   
Township of Freehold   
Michael J. Tighe Park Pedestrian Trail Bridge - $190,000
  
Township of Manalapan     
Manalapan Recreation Center Dreyer Playground Improvements - $108,000
   
TOTAL $2,831,000  

    Grant Closeout Documents for Park Development Projects: 

    The Monmouth County Municipal Land Preservation Incentive Program will assist municipalities by providing additional funding needed to preserve lands for municipal parks and open space. These will be 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.