The New Jersey Department of Community Affair is accepting applications for its Local Recreation Improvement Grant Program.
Donor Name: New Jersey Department of Community Affair
State: New Jersey
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/20/2023
Size of the Grant: $100,000
Details:
The Local Recreation Improvement Grant is a competitive grant that supports improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers, and local stadiums. Ensuring public access to community facilities is imperative since access to outdoor recreation and community resources is critical for mental and physical health, particularly for those residents with limited or no access to quality outdoor space or private recreational opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this need, and the Local Recreation Improvement Grant aims to address equity considerations by meeting the needs of communities that have been placed under substantial stress due to the lack of quality recreational facilities and spaces. The Local Recreation Improvement Grant will allocate funds to update facilities and recreational spaces to meet this statewide need.
Local Recreation Improvement Grant funds will be allocated to each grant recipient to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts, and recreational facilities; project development professional services costs; equipment costs including playground and recreation facilities equipment; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use.
The Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) exists to:
- Fund improvements to recreational facilities
- Provide quality outdoor recreational space to underserved communities, particularly in this time of heightened need
- Assist local units in achieving unmet recreational obligations
Funding Information
The State’s FY2023 budget appropriated $25 million for the Local Recreation Improvement Grant to support improvements and repairs to public recreation facilities. The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) within the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) will administer the Local Recreation Improvement Grant awards, which may be adjusted or capped based upon the number of viable applications submitted. A recommended maximum award of $100,000 shall govern; however, awards in excess of the cap may be authorized, if warranted, and depending upon program demand.
Eligibility Criteria
New Jersey counties, municipalities, and school districts are eligible to apply.
Project Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for Local Recreation Improvement Grant funding, each eligible applicant must:
- Describe the intended use of grant funding for improvement or repair of a specific local recreation site and identify any previously encountered obstacles to repair or improve.
- Demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to complete the proposed project and provide project management and oversight for all activities and fiscal operations.
- List key personnel and/or the outside consultant that will be managing the grant funds and proposed project.
- Provide a cost breakdown to allow DLGS to prioritize the costs and consider partial funding.
- Submit a governing body resolution acknowledging and approving any grant application and the proposed plan or design for the recreation space or community facility for which funding is sought.
- Certify that the property where improvements will be made is owned by the county, municipality, or school district.
For more information, visit NJDCA.
