Murphy Administration Announces $20 Million for Local Recreation Improvement Grants Program

Murphy Administration Announces $20 Million for Local Recreation Improvement Grants Program

• Posted on: 11/1/2024

Grant Applications Are Now Open to Improve Community Parks, Recreation Centers, and Stadiums

TRENTON, NJ - The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced that its Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) is now accepting applications from counties, municipalities, and school districts for Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) Program funding. The Murphy Administration allocated $20 million in the Fiscal Year 2025 state budget to this competitive grant program, which is now in its fifth year supporting the improvement and repair of public recreation facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers, and local stadiums.

"This grant program has become a mainstay during the Murphy Administration because we recognize how important public recreation spaces are to people's physical and mental health. Having quality walking paths, playground equipment, basketball courts, and other recreational resources does so much to strengthen a community's well-being," said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. "By helping towns update and create new recreational facilities, DCA is investing in community assets that mean so much to residents of all ages and backgrounds."

LRIG funds will be awarded to successful grant applicants to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts, and recreational facilities; one-time personnel costs directly related to improvements; project development professional services costs; equipment costs including playground and recreation facilities equipment; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use.

New Jersey counties, municipalities, and school districts are eligible to apply.

To qualify for LRIG funding, applicants must:

• Describe the intended use of grant funding for improvement or repair of a specific local recreation site and identify any previously encountered obstacles to repair or improve the space.
• Demonstrate their capacity to complete the proposed project and provide project management and oversight for all activities and fiscal operations.
• List key personnel and/or consultants who 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. A sample resolution can be found on the DLGS website at: https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lriggrants.shtml.
• Certify that the property where improvements will be made is owned by the county, municipality, or school district.

Applications must be submitted through the DCA SAGE Portal at https://dcasage.intelligrants.com/portal.asp. They are due no later than 5 p.m. on January 31, 2025.

Program guidelines and detailed information about the FY 2025 LRIG Program are available at https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/lriggrants.shtml on the DCA website.

DLGS serves as an advocate for local government interests and provides technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, joint services, purchasing, and management issues. It is responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units and reviews and approves all municipal, county, and fire district budgets. The Division also reviews many local government financial actions and governs and guides the conduct of local government officials.

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy.

For more information about DCA, visit https://nj.gov/dca/ or follow the Department on social media: