FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2008

CONTACT: Jim Lowney, 908-527-4711

Esposito Farm Park Opens

Union County Freeholder Chairman Angel G. Estrada (4th R) and Freeholders Rick Proctor (3rd R), Nancy Ward (2nd R) and Rayland Van Blake (R) join Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso (C) and Clark Council Members (from left) Alvin Barr, Brian Toal, Shelia Whiting and Angel Albanese in cutting the ribbon officially opening Esposito Farm Park on Madison Hill Road in Clark. The $2.9 million cost of the new 13-acre County park was funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. (Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)

UNION COUNTY KIDS RECREATION TRUST FUND 2008 GRANT AWARDS

BERKELEY HEIGHTS                       $25,000.00
--partnering with the Board of Education and the P.A.L. to improve four (4) of the Township’s school fields.

CLARK                                               $56,149.01
--$6,149.01 in equipment;   $50,000.00 to provide lighting to the Girls Softball field

CRANFORD                                       $32,531.00
--$4.754.00 in equipment; $27,777.00 to provide improvements of the Hillside Avenue Tennis Courts

ELIZABETH                                       $70,000.00
--renovation of fields at Hanratty Field, along with improvements of the field at Sisselman

FANWOOD                                        $12,625.98
--$2,831.28 in equipment; $9,794.70 to provide improvements at LeGrande Park

GARWOOD                                        $103,000.00
--$3,000.00 in equipment; $100,000.00 to continue and further the planning for an Athletic Field Complex which will serve as the main field complex for the municipality

HILLSIDE                                          $65,278.79
--$4,864.00 in equipment;  $60,414.79 to provide various improvements of the recreational facilities at Maple Avenue and Central Avenue Parks, and also at the municipal pool facility

KENILWORTH                                   $4,938.50
--matching grant for various recreational equipment purchases

LINDEN                                             $105,000.00
--$5,000.00 in equipment;  $100,000.00 to repair and improve the recreational facilities at 17th Street Park that were destroyed during a major storm and flood in 2007

MOUNTAINSIDE                              $25,500.00
--$12,000.00 in equipment;  $13.500.00 for general field improvements in the municipality

NEW PROVIDENCE                        $102,350.00 and 20 Recreational Scholarships
--$27,350.00 in equipment;  $75,000.00 to assist in a major overhaul of Oakwood Park, consisting of reconfiguration of playing fields, engineering, adding synthetic turf fields, and other upgrades

PLAINFIELD                                   $15,000.00 and 100 Recreational Scholarships
--$15,000.00 in a matching grant for various recreational equipment purchases

RAHWAY                                        $127,350.00 and 40 Recreational Scholarships
--$27,350.00 in equipment; $100,000.00 for improvements at Madden Field and for installation of an ice rink

ROSELLE PARK                               $31,462.00 and 30 Recreational Scholarships
--$19,012 in equipment;  $12,450.00 for completion of Phase II of the Field House Improvement Project

SCOTCH PLAINS                             $25,000.00
--this grant will provide for improvements at the Kramer Manor Park facility, to greatly increase the recreation opportunities that presently exist, including the creation of a Wall Board Court

SPRINGFIELD                                  $75,000.00
--this grant will provide for replacement, improvement and/or repair of various projects throughout the municipality, including upgrades needed for safety, court improvements, and to meet compliance issues in various parks

SUMMIT                                            $95,000.00 and 45 Recreational Scholarships
--$20,000.00 in equipment;  $75,000.00 to assist in a total rehabilitation project at Wilson Park, including rehabilitation of the baseball and soccer fields

UNION                                              $81,000.00
--$6,000.00 in equipment;  $75,000.00 for improvements of the basketball and tennis courts at four (4) municipal parks—Ester Egbert Park, Irene Hoppe Park, Joe Collins Park, and Rabkin Field

WESTFIELD                                      $102,350.00
--$27,350.00 in equipment;  $75,000.00 to assist in the complete renovation of Memorial Park, which includes softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, etc.