Moorestown Receives County Grant

Moorestown received a $250,000 grant from the Burlington County Freeholders Municipal Park Development Assistance Program.

The county gave a total of $5 million to 25 towns in the second round of grant awards. Grants ranged from $20,000 to $250,000. Moorestown’s grant money is for .

“This is perfect timing,” said Thersea Miller, director of for the township. “I’m really excited to get this park moving and get it all done.”

The grant the township submitted was for upgrades to the playground, baseball field and tennis and basketball courts at the park.

According to Miller, improvements could include ADA accessible bleachers, benches and a baseball backstop. Repairs are also needed on the courts.

“This is really awesome,” said Councilwoman Stacey Jordan, who was at the freeholder meeting when the grants were announced. “They loved the aspect of the playground.”

Earlier in the year, council bonded $200,000 for the playground build.

“It will be nice to get that money and free up money for other projects,” said Jordan. “It’s nice to see the recognition.”

The grants, funded through the county’s Open Space, Recreation, Farmland and Historic Preservation Fund, did not require municipalities to cost share or match grant money.

“Once again, the objective here is to assist towns in taking care of their local recreational needs at a time when they are facing budget constraints and must address other priorities,” said Freeholder Director Bruce D. Garganio.  “I consider this the ‘no town left behind’ program, in that our goal was to extend this grant opportunity to all 40 towns.”

Garganio said that—after two rounds—all towns that have applied for grant dollars have received an award. 

Award money must be used for hard costs, such as construction and repairs. The money cannot be used for purchases or operational or maintenance costs.

In addition to the community build aspect of the playground, the freeholders noted the Rotary Club adopted the park for ongoing projects and maintenance. Miller said the Adopt-A-Park at Fullerton would be expanded to include other organizations and the Moorestown High School Interact Club.

The county plans to continue to allocate $5 million a year from the existing dedicated fund for farmland preservation and open space. 

“Even though every taxpayer in every town pays into the dedicated open space fund, not every town benefits directly from these dollars,” Garganio said. “I’m pleased to say that this program changes that.”

Residents pay 4¢ per $100 assessed value in Open Space tax to the county.