PASCACK VALLEY—Approximately $760,000 in 2022 Bergen County Open Space grants was awarded to six towns in Pascack Valley by a unanimous vote of the Bergen County Commissioners at their regular meeting on Dec. 14.
Overall, the county Open Space Trust Fund awarded nearly $18 million in funding for 70 grants, according to county officials.
Recommended for grants locally: Township of Washington, $438,750; Emerson, $85,001; Hillsdale, $85,001; Montvale, $78,625; River Vale, $85,001; and Westwood, $70,000, for a total $757,377.
Though it is in line for the lion’s share of this — its approved $438,750 grant is for open space/recreation needs at the former private Washington Township Swim and Recreation Club, which the township purchased in late April for $750,000 — the Township Council might turn the money down.
Mayor Peter Calamari says open space restrictions on the money could conflict with the township’s ability to use the property as it sees fit. The township is considering a range of recreation uses for the more than 6 acres it bought on Ridgewood Boulevard North.
At its Dec. 5 council meeting, Township council members debated whether to accept the grant if it restricts future uses on the site, such as new enclosed structures or facilities. Calamari is considering a January forum to gather public input on recreation options at the site.
Township administrator Mark DiCarlo said the final county grant agreements — documents that require the town to accept the funds — likely will arrive in February. Council has until then to decide whether to accept the funds.
Calamari has advised the council take the grant and repurpose it toward acquiring 450 Pascack Road, a 3.2-acre mostly wooded tract adjacent to Memorial Field. The town is negotiating for the property backed by the threat of condemnation.
(See “Council weighs taking $439K open space grant,” Pascack Press, Dec. 12, 2022.)
Between the original recommendations from the county Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Committee in September reported by Pascack Press, and a public hearing Oct. 19, and the final commissioners’ vote Dec. 14, all six Pascack Valley towns received approval on their grants.
- Emerson’s $85,001 grant is for Hillman Field Lighting Improvements and Walking Path. The borough’s grant application requested $371,959 for a matching grant, estimating a total project cost of $818,918.
- Hillsdale’s $85,001 grant is for Beechwood Park Trail, boardwalk replacement, observation platform, and guardrails
- Montvale’s $78,625 grant is for Huff Park playground improvements: rubberized safety surfacing at playground.
- River Vale’s $85,001 grant is for Mark Lane Athletic Complex lighting upgrades.
- Westwood’s $70,000 grant is for Jake Voorhis Park’s basketball court replacement with new asphalt surface.
- The county said the Trust Fund program is funded through a rate of 1 cent per $100 of total county equalized real property valuation annually, as approved by public referendum in 2013.
The county administers these funds as a reimbursement once the proposed project is completed by the awardee, county officials said.
‘One of the greatest tools in our arsenal…’
In a news release, Bergen County Executive James Tedesco III said the Bergen Open Space Grant Program “is one of the greatest tools in our arsenal to advance our shared goals of protecting the environment, promoting sustainability, and preserving open space for future generations to enjoy.”
He said, “My administration remains committed to supporting our partner municipalities through this program and I look forward to celebrating the completion of several of these projects in the months and years to come.”
County spokesperson Lucine Beylerian described the process used to evaluate and award Open Space funds, which “play a crucial role in helping to maintain quality of life in Bergen County.”
Beylerian said the recommended project awards cover open space acquisition, floodplain protection, historic preservation improvements, and improvements to county and municipal park facilities.
The Trust Fund Public Advisory Committee is charged with determining the annual list of projects to be recommended to the commissioners for funding as well as the amount that should be awarded for each project.
In 2021, the county Open Space Trust Fund awarded nearly $19 million for open space grants, which included grants for open space acquisition, historic preservation projects, county park improvement projects, farmland preservation and municipal park improvement projects.
The largest Open Space grant last year in Pascack Valley was a $110,157 grant to Woodcliff Lake for its long-planned Galaxy Gardens passive park.