Politics & Government

Township Applies for Green Acres Grant

The money would be used for a pedestrian bridge in Otto's Farm Park.

The hopes to receive up to $25,000 in Green Acres grant funds to replace an existing pedestrian bridge in .

If awarded, the grant funds would provide a new pedestrian bridge over a stream at Otto’s Farm Park. The bridge would connect portions of the existing trails in the park.

“The only way to get from one side to another is by actually walking out on Wertsville Road, where the shoulder is very narrow,” Mayor Carl Suraci said. “It’s dangerous for pedestrians.”

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The Township Committee unanimously approved a grant application to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Green Acres program during its Tuesday meeting, allowing it to apply for the 2012 Recreational Trails Program Grant.

The funds for the trails program come from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program, according to the DEP’s website. The department anticipates receiving $1million in federal funds for the trail projects, according to the DEP’s grant application information.

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According to the application information, funds are available to public agencies, 501c3 nonprofit organizations, and friends of park groups that are recognized as volunteers by the government. In addition, the projects must be located on either public land or private land for which the government holds a public access easement.

The township would be required to match 20 percent of the grant amount, which can be met with in-kind services, Suraci said. The in-kind services would include project labor and equipment from the township’s Department of Public Works.

The township will know if a grant has been awarded in September.

 


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