Ventnor, Margate receive grants to upgrade children's recreation

NanetteG

C-Sure Children's Park in Ventnor.

TRENTON - The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division of Local Government Services has announced the award of $25 million in Local Recreation Improvement Grants to counties, municipalities and school districts across New Jersey to ensure public access to quality outdoor space and recreational facilities. The reimbursement grants were awarded to 352 local governments after a competitive application process.

Ventnor and Margate each received $50,000 grants.

With $25 million in awards to communities across the state, we are investing in the amenities that matter most to our residents from biking and hiking trails to playgrounds and outdoor facilities without putting the burden on taxpayers, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a release.

Ensuring public access to recreational opportunities is imperative for people's mental and physical health, said Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, who also serves as DCA Commissioner. For this reason, the Local Recreation Improvement Grant program aims to provide grants to communities in need to help them strengthen and improve their recreational spaces and programs.

Grant recipients will use the funding to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts and recreational facilities. The grants can also be utilized for project development professional services, such as engineering and architectural costs; equipment costs, including playgrounds or bleachers for stadiums or community theaters; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use.

Ventnor will use its grant funds for upgrades to the C-Sure Children's Park located off the boardwalk near Beach Patrol Headquarters, and the volleyball courts.

Lucy the Elephant playground in Margate.

Margate is using its grant for the Lucy Playground on Jerome Avenue near the Margate bridge.

To qualify for grant funding, applicants had to:

Describe the intended use of grant funding for improvement or repair of a specific local recreation site;

Identify any previously encountered obstacles to repair or improve the recreation site;

Demonstrate their ability 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 of the project;

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; and

Certify that the property where improvements will be made is owned by the county, municipality, or school district.

Grant applications were evaluated based on distressed community ranking, financial need, project feasibility, local match commitment, and scope of impact.

Other Atlantic County municipalities receiving grants are: