(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County will award a $550,000 grant to the Township of Plainsboro for improvements to Green Acres Recreational Area, known as Community Park. Improvements include playground equipment, poured-in-place safety surfacing, concrete walkways and gazebo plaza, new gazebo, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) parking spaces, trees, and landscaping.
“Open space investment throughout Middlesex County continues to be a top priority of every member of the Board of County Commissioners,” said Board of County Commissioners Director Ronald G. Rios. “Not only will this grant allow for much needed improvements to expand access to outdoor recreation for County families, but it will fund the construction of new playgrounds for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, safety surfacing and gazebo with plaza, sitting walls and benches, which will attract more diverse families to our County. Our goal is to revitalize our parks and make sure they meet the needs of the entire community.”
The grant agreement in the amount of $550,000 between Middlesex County and the Township of Plainsboro under the Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund states that the funds are to be used for the construction of an ADA-compliant playground and other park improvements.
“We are proud of our commitment to open space preservation, our parks, and playgrounds,” said Mayor Peter A. Cantu, Township of Plainsboro. “We applaud Middlesex County for their continued support of our priorities by funding these playground improvements for Community Park. Without their support, this project would not have happened.”
“Parks and playgrounds are not just vital to the health and well-being of our children, they also enhance the quality of life in our community,” said County Commissioner Charles E. Tomaro. “Grants like this one are instrumental, both now and in the future, as they support the physical, mental, and social health of the youth in Middlesex County. These improvements along with the installation of inclusive playground equipment will make Plainsboro’s Community Park, a modern and exciting recreational destination.”
The project is to be concluded within three years. Funds will be made available in the amount of $500,000 for the fiscal year 2022 and $50,000 for fiscal year 2023.
Middlesex County is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, three universities, 19 park systems, and world-class healthcare and research facilities making it one of the nation’s most dynamic regions and a leader in technology, transportation, the arts, and food innovation. As one of the most diverse populations in the country, Middlesex County is home to over 832,000 residents living throughout 25 municipalities. Ranked #1 in the state for best schools, the County offers an award-winning vocational school system, a county college, and workforce development creating a unique ecosystem in which opportunities abound. Conveniently located between New York and Philadelphia, Middlesex County is a leading destination for businesses and residents alike to live, work, and play – and has been since the 17th century.
