Carteret, NJ – Mayor Daniel J. Reiman was joined by New Jersey Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Middlesex County Freeholder Director Ron Rios to announce $2.5 million in grants the Borough has been awarded for major capital improvements to renovate and construct new recreation fields at Bishop Andrewz Park.
The New Jersey Green Acres Grant Program has awarded Carteret $1 million and the County of Middlesex has awarded $1.5 million toward the project, which will start in the Summer of 2020 after ongoing remediation is completed by USMR, a former smelting company, who operated in Carteret from 1901-1986.
“Carteret’s parks are known for being the best in the region,” proclaimed Mayor Dan Reiman. “Bishop Andrewz Park will now become a regional destination for sports and outdoor activities thanks to support from Governor Murphy, Speaker Coughlin, Freeholder Director Ron Rios and his colleagues on the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.”
The Borough plans to install a new multi-purpose synthetic turf field at the Park, which will be utilized for football, soccer, Little League baseball, fast pitch softball, and lacrosse. The state-of-the-art field will be constructed with the highest quality materials and available for recreational leagues, organized youth sports, and passive public recreation. In addition, three new basketball courts will be added, which will allow for pickup games and outdoor recreation leagues. A new tennis court and two new volleyball courts will be added as well. Throughout the park, landscaping improvements will be made, including new plants, trees, soil, and flowers, sidewalks and benches which will improve aesthetics and offer an inviting public space.
“Outdoor activities and recreation are important for all children,” said NJ Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin. “The amenities at Carteret’s Bishop Andrewz Park will provide children and adults with state of the art facilities in a safe, welcoming environment.”
Just a few years ago, the Borough made $1.2 million in improvements to the park, including paved pathways, ADA compliant pedestrian areas, concrete sidewalks, benches, picnic tables, drainage improvements, additional parking spaces, and a Spray Park featuring a textured concrete spray pad with an above-ground structure that sprays jets in a variety of patterns, and also acts as a water reservoir to use for landscaping. The park is located on 4.5 acres at the corner of Pershing and Salem Avenues.
For a complete guide to Carteret’s parks, please visit Carteret.net/parks.
