Gov. Phil Murphy proposed investment of more than $100 million in urban parks, playgrounds, open spaces and other local park improvement projects through the Green Acres Program.

The proposal, which is pending final approval by the Garden State Preservation Trust, would establish new parks and expand existing ones, develop athletic fields and playgrounds, improve access to waterways, create open spaces, build flood resilience and enhance stewardship by restoring lands for nature and public enjoyment.

State officials say New Jersey already has more than 20% of its land dedicated to parks and wildlife more than any other state in the continental U.S.

With these investments, we will take another significant step toward ensuring all New Jersey communities have access to recreational opportunities and enjoy the benefits of natural resource conservation, Murphy said. The proposed projects will provide equitable and meaningful access to urban parks, help address the impacts of climate change, and advance our long-term resilience goals. Investing in our communities through these projects will improve the quality of life for families living across New Jersey now and in the future.

For this round of Green Acres funding, applicants were encouraged to develop projects that anticipate and address climate change impacts, advance long-term resilience goals, provide equitable and meaningful public access, and maximize social, environmental and health benefits to the public, particularly within overburdened communities.

The Garden State Preservation Trust will consider the following recommended allocations:

The Garden State Preservation Trust will forward its final recommendations to the Legislature for funding approval. Other funding allocations include:

Some of the major Urban Parks Grants include:

Everyone in New Jersey deserves quality parks and recreation facilities that give children places to play, help connect us to nature, improve our physical and mental health, and enhance quality of life, especially in our most vulnerable and overburdened communities, said Martha Sullivan Sapp, director of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections Green Acres Program. These proposed grants and loans enhance the Murphy administrations historic commitment to environmental justice on all levels, helping to improve public health and drive economic development statewide.

Some of the major local projects approved for matching Green Acres grants and loans were in the following counties: Bergen, Burlington, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Ocean, Passaic and Union. See below:

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Murphy aims for more than $100M investment in urban parks, playgrounds through Green Acres Program - ROI-NJ.com