Carteret, NJ – Mayor Reiman was joined this week by Councilman Vinny Bellino this week to announce that the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (D.E.P.), and the Garden State Preservation Trust (G.S.P.T.), have awarded Carteret $480,000 towards multiple parks improvement projects. The award will consist of a Green Acres loan of $240,000 and a matching grant of $240,000. Funding will be directly applied towards improvements in both Carteret Park and Parkview Park (“Little Park”).
“I congratulate Mayor Reiman and the Borough of Carteret,” Acting D.E.P. Commissioner Mark N. Mauriello stated, “for their efforts to improve and expand recreational opportunities in our state. The Borough’s contribution in operating and maintaining these parks will help preserve a valuable resource for future generations.”
In January, Mayor Reiman announced that the Borough had finalized plans to rehabilitate the basketball and tennis courts adjacent to Carteret Park, through a partnership between the Borough and the Board of Education.
Adjacent to Carteret Middle school, the courts were first constructed in the 1960’s. Both the tennis and basketball courts are used extensively by the middle school and high school, along with the number of recreational leagues the town hosts, and residents who use the park. Time, usage, and poor drainage have contributed to the deterioration of the courts, according to the Borough Engineering Department.
Grant funding will be applied towards new fencing, a new retaining wall, nets, posts, and asphalt.
“In urban towns like Carteret” said Mayor Dan Reiman, “parks play a crucial role in setting quality of life standards, and in preventing urban sprawl. Residents of all ages have benefitted from the enormous range of active and passive amenities our parks system offers, and will continue to do so for generations with these needed improvements.”
A lesser known park, Parkview’s modest 0.78 acre park has offered little more than playground amenities to Borough residents. D.E.P. funding will allow the Borough to proceed with the addition of a new basketball court, and enhancements that include new fibar safety surfacing, benches, landscaping and fencing.
“On behalf of our young athletes,” Councilman Bellino added, “we really can’t thank the D.E.P. enough. If you’re a Carteret resident or parent, you know how active our youngsters are, and how critical our parks and athletic facilities are to our many sports programs and organizations. That Carteret Park was overdue for these improvements would be an understatement.”
