Union County Freeholders Bruce Bergen and Bette Jane Kowalski (center) joined elected officials from Summit, Springfield, members of the Union County Open Space Trust Fund Public Advisory Committee, and officials from the State Department of Environmental Protection (Green Acres), and the Briant Park Olmsted Conservancy in breaking ground for the restoration of Briant Park in Summit and Springfield.
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders approved a grant of $275,000 from the Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund that will match a state Green Acres grant received by the Briant Park Olmsted Conservancy. With the Trust Fund grant, the total of available funding for the improvement project will be $550,000.
The new improvements will include a gazebo to provide a sheltered seating area, and a new nature trail. The new trail will be laid with wood chips to complement the natural feel of the park environment.
Other improvements include new plantings and soil restoration, pruning and removal of dead trees, new benches including wheelchair access to seating areas, period sign posts, restoration of a retaining wall on the west slope, and aesthetic improvements to an existing footbridge.
(Photo by Jim Lowney/County of Union)