(14TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT) – Separate legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats Dan Benson and Wayne P. DeAngelo to allocate voter-approved open space preservation funding for recreational development and conservation projects was signed into law Wednesday.
The bill (A4051) sponsored by Benson appropriates $14.8 million in voter approved Green Acres and Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust funding for grants to applicable nonprofit entities to acquire or develop lands for recreation and conservation purposes.
The projects include several in Mercer and Middlesex.
“These funds will help keep the Garden State green, reduce sprawl, and provide residents with more recreational opportunities to enjoy the outdoors,” said Benson. “Thank you to the voters who understood the importance of open space and voted to fund these projects.”
The bill (A4052) sponsored by DeAngelo appropriates $84.5 million in voter approved Green Acres and Garden State Green Acres Preservation Trust funding for local government open space acquisition and park development projects.
“New Jersey’s title as most densely populated state in the country can evoke images that can be deceiving, considering the beautiful landscapes that can be found in our home state,” said DeAngelo. “These funds will go a long way in preserving these, and creating new ones for future generations.”
The bills provide, among other things:
- $1.12 million to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes for the Mercer County Planning Incentive in Mercer County;
- $900,000 to acquire lands for recreation and conservation purposes for the Assunpink Creek Greenway in Trenton;
- $650,000 for improvements to Carteret Park in Carteret Boro;
- $550,000 to the D&R Greenway Land Trust for several greenway acquisition projects in Mercer and Middlesex counties.
- $450,000 for open space acquisition in Cranbury.