New Jersey’s latest round of Local Recreation Improvement Grants includes multiple Morris County recipients, bringing new state support for parks, courts, trails, and other public recreation infrastructure in the county.
MORRIS COUNTY, NJ The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs announced $9.918 million in Local Recreation Improvement Grants on April 13, 2026, awarding funds to 154 local governments, including 65 first-time applicants. The state said the money can be used for improvements to community centers, playgrounds, pools, athletic fields, walking and bicycle trails, courts, and related project costs.
For Morris County readers, the statewide announcement carries a direct local footprint. The published awards list includes grants for Florham Park Borough, $61,512; Hanover Township, $64,700; Kinnelon Borough, $63,700; Mendham Township, $65,200; Mendham Borough School District, $63,700; Boonton Town Board of Education, $68,700; Dover Board of Education, $69,700; Long Hill Township Board of Education, $67,700; Pequannock Township Public Schools, $69,200; Riverdale Borough, $64,200; Rockaway Borough Board of Education, $67,700; and School District of the Chathams, $65,200.
The program is reimbursement-based, which means local governments must first incur qualifying costs and then submit proof of payment to the state. Applications were scored based on factors including financial need, project feasibility, distressed-community ranking, local matching funds, and expected impact. The state has also posted the full grant recipient list and program guidelines online.