Green Acres Grants

We are excited to announce that the County of Union is embarking on three grant projects aimed at enhancing our County Park System and preserving the historical landscapes that make our community special. But we need YOUR input to make it truly exceptional! Your perspective will help us create spaces that cater to the diverse interests and preferences of our community.

Project Background

As part of ongoing renovations at Unami Park – located in the Borough of Garwood, and Town of Westfield, the existing playground will be updated to comply with standards outlined in Jake’s Law.

Jake’s Law, passed in 2018, encourages New Jersey counties to build inclusive playgrounds that are designed with standards that generally exceed those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and result in accommodating people with disabilities to the greatest degree feasible.

Documents
Project Status
  • Planning Stage
Survey
Public Notice

PROJECT SCOPE: The County of Union proposes to create the following new facilities at Unami Park: a Completely Inclusive Playground to upgrade and improve the existing playground equipment, which may include features such as spinners, slides, climbing structures, swings, sensory play components, and/or overhead elements. Additional play elements may consist of sensory panels, rockers, bouncers, balance equipment, crawl tunnels, bridges, ramps, and/or nature-themed play structures. The project will also encompass the installation of an ADA-accessible pathway, constructed with either pavers or concrete, connecting the parking lot to the playground area. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found at: https://ucnj.org/green-acres-grants/.

Project Background

The Urban Parks Green Acres Program is designed to promote Urban Parks located within Overburdened Communities Subject to Adverse Cumulative Stressors within Urban Aid Municipalities.

Union County is committed to park development projects that create, restore, and expand outdoor recreation opportunities for our residents.

Project Status
  • Planning Stage
Documents
Survey
Public Notice

PROJECT SCOPE: The County of Union proposes to create the following new facilities at Wheeler Spray Park: shading structures and a concession area; and/or to renovate the following facilities: replace the surfacing and upgrade existing fencing. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found at: https://ucnj.org/green-acres-grants/.

Project Background

The County of Union is proud to announce a historic landscape restoration project happening at the Deserted Village of Feltville located in the Watchung Reservation, Berkeley Heights.

This project will comply with standards outlined in the 2025 Stewardship Green Acres Grant Program. The Stewardship Green Acres Grant Program is designed to promote restoration and protection of Natural Resources and Historic Landscapes for properties listed on the New Jersey and/or National Historic Registers.

The Willcocks family, established a sawmill on the Blue Brook around 1736, used much of the cleared land that is now the Deserted Village for farming.  When David Felt built his mill town of Feltville in 1845, he farmed 600 acres of land to be able to feed the 175 residents of his hamlet.

Warren Ackerman purchased the land from a subsequent owner in 1882, and started to use the former farm land to graze fancy cattle.  As his property was developed into the summer resort of Glenside Park, portions of the open land were converted to a golf course, tennis court and baseball field.

It wasn’t until the Union County Park Commission acquired the property in the 1920’s for inclusion in their new Watchung Reservation that the open space was allowed to revert to a natural state. 

Documents
Project Status
  • Planning Stage
Survey
Public Notice

PROJECT SCOPE: Union County proposes the following improvements at Watchung Reservation: Meadow Restoration, including the removal of invasive trees, shrubs, and other plants and introducing new native vegetation; Green Infrastructure, including stormwater storage systems; and Tree Removal, including the removal of about 24 matured trees and restoring the cemetery to an open grassed area and planting Dogwood trees. A concept plan showing the proposed changes, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment for the project can be found at: https://ucnj.org/green-acres-grants/.