Splash pads, pickleball courts, adaptive playgrounds, new trails and other improvements will be possible at 37 local parks under the Burlington County Commissioners’ latest round of municipal parks development grant awards.
The Commissioners voted Wednesday to approve the 37 grant awards under the grant program, which provides financial support for municipalities to develop or improve municipal parks and playgrounds for outdoor recreation. A total of $5 million is being awarded to 37 municipalities this round, the most since 2020 when the grants were last awarded.
“Burlington County strives to be a destination for all people and these grants help make sure there are quality parks in all communities,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson. “No matter where you live, you should be able to enjoy our county’s beautiful outdoor spaces and the health benefits of outdoor recreation.”
All 40 municipalities in the county were eligible to apply for grants up to $250,000 to use to construct, repair or improve parks facilities or to acquire open space for a future park. Funding for the grants comes from the county’s voter-approved dedicated open space preservation tax.
No local match is required for towns to receive grants funds, though the awards are generally restricted to hard costs such as construction, renovation, and repair rather than design or engineering expenses.
Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel said the grants ensure municipalities across the county benefit from the County’s open space tax.
“Burlington County is home to more acres of preserved open space and farmland than any county in New Jersey. We’re proud of that record and our investments in parks and trails development to ensure residents from all communities can access and benefit from our spaces we save,” said Commissioner Eckel, adding that the aid also helps towns improve parks and recreation without increasing local property tax burdens.
“Without these grants, many of these park improvements would not be possible, and they provide direct local property tax relief since these are dollars municipalities won’t have to borrow or raise from their property taxpayers,” Eckel said.
All 37 municipalities that applied received funding, with awards ranging from $75,000 to $175,000. Three towns (Riverside, Washington Township and Woodland) did not submit applications for grants this round.
A variety of parks projects were awarded grant funds, including Mount Laurel’s plans to construct a splash pad at Marne Highway Park and construction of pickleball courts at Fenton Lake Park in Chesterfield, Legion Fields in Palmyra, Riverton Memorial Park and at the Woodlawn Sports Complex in Maple Shade.
Beverly, Fieldsboro and Springfield are being awarded grants for trail developments. Beverly plans to create a trail connection from Riverfront Park to the new segment of the Delaware River Heritage Trail the County is exploring between Florence and Delanco, and Springfield wants to create a walking, hiking and biking trail along Juliustown Road that may connect or become part of the County’s Kinkora Trail expansion.
Burlington City, Cinnaminson, Delanco, Evesham and Florence each received County grants to assist with the construction of inclusive playgrounds or to purchase new adaptive playground equipment. Mount Holly also received a grant to add new ADA-complaint restrooms to Mill Dam Park and Burlington Township received a grant for Green Acres Park improvements, among them new accessible restrooms.
“Children of all abilities deserve to have inclusive spaces where they can play and interact with other children and their families,” said Commissioner Randy Brolo. “Awarding grants for towns to create inclusive playgrounds is a sound investment that will make sure all residents and families can access and enjoy these spaces. It sends a message to families that Burlington County does more than just talk about becoming more inclusive. We are taking actions and making changes to make sure people of all abilities feel welcome.”
The following is a town-by-town breakdown of this round of municipal parks grants:
Bass River: Awarded $125,00 for North Maple Avenue Recreation improvements, including a half basketball court, improved playground surface
Beverly: Awarded $175,000 for Riverfront Park improvements, including creation of a trail connection to the Delaware River Heritage Trail
Bordentown City: Awarded $100,000 for playground replacement at Carslake Park
Bordentown Township: Awarded $125,000 for lighting at Joseph Lawarence Park soccer field
Burlington City: Awarded $75,000 for purchase of inclusive playground equipment for Oakland Avenue playground
Burlington Township: Awarded $150,000 for Green Acres Park improvements, including replacement playground equipment, an outdoor exercise circuit and accessible restroom facilities
Chesterfield: Awarded $125,000 for Fenton Lake Park improvements, including path extensions, pickleball courts and an asphalt multipurpose area
Cinnaminson: Awarded $175,000 for construction of an inclusive playground at Memorial Park
Delanco: Awarded $175,000 for construction of an inclusive playground at Babe Ruth Field
Delran: Awarded $125,000 for grading, infield improvements, fencing, dugouts, benches and other improvements at Summer Hill Baseball Field
Eastampton: Awarded $125,000 for construction of a walking trail at Veterans Park
Edgewater Park: Awarded $125,000 for new well and irrigation improvements at Memorial Field
Evesham: Awarded $125,000 for inclusive playground equipment at three playgrounds
Fieldsboro: Awarded $125,000 Delaware River walking trail
Florence: Awarded $175,000 for construction of inclusive playground at John A. Roebling Park
Hainesport: Awarded $125,000 for drainage improvements at Municipal Complex fields.
Lumberton: Awarded $125,000 for playground equipment, restroom improvements at Village Green Park
Mansfield: Awarded $125,000 for improvements to Georgetown Community Park, including replacement playground surfaces, park benches and picnic tables and sidewalk replacement
Maple Shade: Awarded $125,000 for construction of pickleball courts and fencing at Woodlawn Sports Complex
Medford Lakes: Awarded $125,000 for Ballinger Park improvements, including construction of boardwalk and pier
Medford: Awarded $125,000 for lighting at Hartford Crossing Park turf field
Moorestown: Awarded $125,000 for renovations of two hockey rinks at Wesley Bishop Park
Mount Holly: Awarded $125,000 for installation of two ADA compliant, self-cleaning restrooms at Mill Dam Park
Mount Laurel: Awarded $175,000 for construction of a splash park at Marne Highway Park
New Hanover: Awarded $125,000 for Nash Park improvements, including new playground equipment and playing surface, replacement of asphalt paths and overhead door
North Hanover: Awarded $125,000 for Schoolhouse Park improvements, including renovations to baseball field, asphalt paths and restroom facilities
Palmyra: Awarded $125,000 for construction of pickleball courts at Legion Field
Pemberton Borough: Awarded $175,000 for bulkhead and walkway at Mill Creek Park fishing area
Pemberton Township: Awarded $100,000 for Blueberry Manor Park improvements, including tot lot, landscaping, fencing and seating
Riverside: Did not submit an application
Riverton: Awarded $125,000 for Riverton Memorial Park improvements, including installation of pickleball courts, resurfacing tennis and basketball courts
Shamong: Awarded $125,000 for Dingletown Park improvements, including regrading softball and baseball fields, renovations to snack bar and lighting at the pickleball court
Southampton: Awarded $125,000 to convert tennis court to basketball court and install lighting at Town Hall Recreation Area
Springfield: Awarded $175,000 for construction of Juliustown Road Trail as part of the planned extension of County’s existing Kinkora Trail
Tabernacle: Awarded $125,000 to relocate baseball field and building additional parking at Patty Bowker Field
Washington Township: Did not submit an application
Westampton: Awarded $125,000 for lighting at flag football/soccer field and resurfacing tennis and basketball courts at Sports Complex Field and Spring Meadow Park
Willingboro: Awarded $175,000 for installation of docks and piers at Crystal Lake Park (adjacent to County’s Willingboro Lakes Park)
Woodland: Did not submit an application
Wrightstown: Awarded $125,000 to replace baseball field lighting at Croshaw Park