The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced yesterday the award of $9.918 million in Local Recreation Improvement Grants (LRIG) to counties, municipalities, and school districts across New Jersey to ensure public access to quality outdoor space and recreational facilities. The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS), which administers the program, awarded grants to 154 local governments, including 65 first-time LRIG applicants, through a competitive application process.
“DCA is incredibly pleased to be in a position to help local governments improve and maintain recreational spaces that are so important to people’s quality of life,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suarez. “The Local Recreation Improvement Grants make it financially possible for communities to have good athletic fields and courts for local sports leagues, and resources such as parks, recreation centers, pools, and playgrounds where people can come together and enjoy the benefits that accompany access to recreation.”
Grant recipients will use the funding to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, athletic 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.
A full list of the recipients, including grant award and grant project, is posted at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lriggrants.shtml on the DCA website.
