Kids Recreation Grant (2026)

Kids Recreation Grant (2026) is sponsored by Union County, New Jersey - Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund. This grant supports the development and improvement of local recreational facilities and programs that directly benefit children in Union County. It is available to all 21 municipalities in Union County.

2026 Kids Recreation Trust Fund Grant – County of Union, New Jersey Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund Your Trust Fund Dollars at Work for You! A Service of the Union County Board of County Commissioners Rebecca Williams, Vice Chair 2026 Commissioners’ Standing Committee Alexander Mirabella, Chair Public Advisory Committee Members Edward T. Oatman, County Manager Amy C.

Wagner, Deputy County Manager Victoria Durbin Drake, Trust Fund Administrator Angelica Cedeno, Deputy Trust Fund Administrator Bruce H. Bergen, Esq. , County Counsel Kevin Campbell, Esq.

, Trust Fund Counsel Program Timelines and Grant Information The application period will commencing on June 01, 2026 and concluding on August 03, 2026 . The review and selection period will follow, and award notification will occur within 45 days of the deadline submission. Grant projects accepted will receive verbal notification and a written grant commitment in the form of a letter from the Office of the Trust Fund.

Projects will be chosen based on need, scope and population served. This grant program must be matched dollar for dollar by the municipality. All matching funds must be specifically related to the proposed project.

Matching dollar may come from various sources such as in-kind services, municipal budget, donor, State of New Jersey Green Acres grant or other federal and state aid. These sources must be listed on the original grant application to qualify as matching funds. Grantees must adhere to the proposed project timelines.

The grant period commences when the Office of the Trust Fund and the Union County Law Department executes the contracts. You will be notified of your specific date obligations.

All applications will be reviewed by the Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund Public Advisory Committee, and are subject to final approval by the Commissioners’ Standing Committee in addition to a vote by the full body of the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Grantees shall have a period of 24 months from the time of the award of the grant to complete the grant project.

This timeline may be extended at the sole discretion of the Trust Administrator where unforeseen/extenuating circumstances are shown No additional grant applications will be considered where a Grantee has failed to follow guidelines for outstanding grants. Recreational Improvements The Union County Board of County Commissioners is allocating up to $1,000,000.

00 in matching grant dollars for the creation, enhancement, and/or replacement of recreational facilities in the municipality. The Union County Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Public Advisory Committee, and the Commissioners’ Standing Committee on Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation will review applications that follow the procedures below: Request cannot exceed 50% of the total project cost.

Staff or volunteer salaries are not eligible. All submissions must demonstrate how recreational opportunities will be increased, enhanced or expanded by this grant offering. All recipients of grant dollars will be required to notify the Office of Open Space Trust Fund of the project completion and coordinate required signage placement with a mandatory 14-day notice prior to any ribbon cuttings or ceremonies.

Signage will indicate “Kids Recreation Trust Fund” Grant Program, A Service of the Union County Board of County Commissioners. “Your Trust Fund Dollars at Work for You! ” Signage will be designed and installed by Union County’s Bureau of Traffic and Maintenance.

All grant recipients are required to notify the Office of Open Space Trust Fund of any ribbon cutting ceremonies with at least a 14-day notice.

An invitation and speaking opportunity must be extended to the Union County Board of County Commissioners Joint applications must be fully executed between each party for a stipulated time frame designated in the grant application and approved by the Public Advisory Committee as well as the Commissioners’ Standing Committee.

Copies of the agreement between parties must be provided to the Trust Fund Administrator upon awarding of grant dollars. All recipients will be subject to monitoring visits by the Office of the Trust Fund staff. All grant recipients shall be required to enter into an agreement prepared by the Union County Law Department.

Said agreement shall provide that all funding provided through this grant shall be dedicated to the creation, enhancement and/or replacement of recreational opportunities, and must be consistent with New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Green Acres program rules and regulations as well as local and state building codes and ordinances.

Should it be determined by the County that the funds granted pursuant to this agreement are not being so dedicated by the applicant, and then in that event, the County will require reimbursement of all amounts so granted. This provision applies to any present or future violations.

Failure to comply with the above commitments gives the County of Union the right to seek a return of any and all funds paid and will affect future funding requests. Grant Application Checklist The following items should accompany the application: A resolution authorized by the governing body and the mayor, approving the grant application and commitment of matching dollars for the proposed project.

(return by postal mail) A completed grant application form. (complete online) A letter of financial commitment from the Chief Financial Officer, or equivalent, indicating that matching funds are available for said project prior to grant dollars being awarded.

(return by postal mail) Recreational Improvements Print (Opens in new window) Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Share on X (Opens in new window) Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Official Website of the County of Union, New Jersey