WESTWOOD, N.J.—The Borough Council voted unanimously to accept a $12,000 AARP Community Challenge Grant for the construction of a “parklet” in the Central Business District.
The goal, according to Councilmember Jodi Murphy—who announced at the July 16 mayor and council meeting that the application had been approved—is to entice people to spend more time in the town and give older residents place to sit and rest.
“This will be positive for the businesses and community,” she said at the meeting.
A parklet is a seasonal sidewalk extension that provides more space and amenities for people using the street. Usually parklets are installed on parking lanes and use several parking spaces. Parklets typically extend out from the sidewalk at the level of the sidewalk to the width of the adjacent parking space.
Murphy told Pascack Press that parklets are typically out April to October and store for the winter months to allow for plowing.
She touted the Arts Council of Princeton Parklet, which in May enjoyed a grand opening and was designed by an architect, with furniture, flowering plants, free Wi-Fi, an interactive chalkboard supplied by Princeton Entrepreneurship Council, and additional art-based activities.
Asked where Westwood’s parklet might be set up, she said “We are strongly considering Center Avenue by Oritani and Toasty.”
At the meeting, Murphy gave a shout out to borough grant writer Fred Rella, who was present at the announcement, for his assistance.
Adding her congratulations at the meeting was Westwood For All Ages Program Director Lisa Bontemps, who offered to identify additional grant funds should the project require it.
According to Murphy, Westwood was one of 159 towns nationwide to be awarded a 2019 AARP quick action grant, open to every state, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“This is exactly the type of progress that was envisioned when creating the Westwood Senior Citizen Advisory Committee. The fruit of the real labor put in to enhance and improve the quality of life of our residents.”
— Westwood Mayor John Birkner Jr. posting July 19 on the AARP grant making a borough parklet possible.
Two other such projects were approved in New Jersey this year: a beautification project in the Borough of Dunellen and a safety improvement for Teaneck’s pedestrian walkway network.
AARP says on its website that its third annual Community Challenge received more than 1,660 applications from nonprofits and government entities, resulting in a highly competitive selection process.
Nearly $1.6 million was distributed to fund 159 quick-action projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages.
An Age-Friendly Community builds on success
Earlier this year the borough joined eight other communities in New Jersey and 331 communities nationwide in membership into the World Health Organization/AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities.
The program brings entree to “a global network of communities that are committed to giving their older residents the opportunity to live rewarding, productive and safe lives.”
On Feb. 28, a delighted Bontemps told Pascack Press “it is a big deal” that the borough earned its way into the network, which helps people live easily and comfortably in their homes and communities as they age.
“It really places Westwood on the map as a community making an intentional commitment to address the needs of an aging population and creating a place where all of us can age successfully in place,” she said.
A presentation ceremony with AARP’s New Jersey president; Westwood for All Ages’ volunteers, grant liaison, and key partners; and Mayor John Birkner Jr. and other officials was held in March at the public library.