FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 21, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
Derek Sands
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BERGEN COUNTY 2024 OPEN SPACE TRUST FUND NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Floodplain Protection, Historic Preservation, Land Acquisition, and Municipal Park Improvement grants available in 2024 funding cycle
(HACKENSACK, NJ) – The Bergen County Department of Parks, Division of Land Management, announces the 2024 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant Program. The 2024 grant cycle welcomes applicants seeking aid in four categories: Land Acquisition, Historic Preservation, Floodplain Protection, and Municipal Park Improvements. All Bergen County municipalities and qualified non-profit organizations are invited to apply. All applicants must file a Letter of Intent no later than Friday, April 5th, 2024.
"The Bergen Open Space Grant Program offers municipalities a vital opportunity to secure funding for park improvements, historic preservation, and open space acquisition," said Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco. "I encourage all Bergen County municipalities to take advantage of this program, fostering environmental stewardship and ensuring public spaces endure for generations to come."
"The 2024 Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund Grant Program stands as a pivotal investment in our communities, providing essential funding for park improvements, historic preservation, and floodplain protection," said Bergen County Commissioner Steve Tanelli. "This initiative reinforces our unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, preserving open space for both today and the prosperity of future generations. I encourage every municipality to participate.”
Trust Fund grants are administered by the Division of Land Management, Bergen County Department of Parks. Applications are reviewed by a public Trust Fund Advisory Board and the Bergen County Board of County Commissioners finalizes all grant awards. The County Commissioners set the 2024 open space tax assessment rate at 1 cent per $100 of total County equalized real property valuation. It is anticipated that approximately $18 million will be collected, while the County Treasurer will determine the final amount of available funding. Of the available 2024 Trust Fund money, 30% will be allocated for the Municipal Program for Park Improvements and the other 70% will be allocated for Land Acquisition, Historic Preservation, and Floodplain Protection countywide.
For only the second time, the Historic Preservation Program will accept grant applications for the preparation of Historic Preservation documents. Documents may include Historic Surveys, Historic Design Guidelines, and the Historic Preservation Element of a municipal Master Plan.
Information and application materials for the 2024 Funding Round for all Open Space Trust Fund Programs is now available on the Department of Parks website: Trust Fund Webpage.
Program-specific pages with necessary information and application materials:
- Floodplain Acquisition Program
- Historic Preservation Program
- Land Acquisition Program
- Municipal Park Improvement Program
2024 Grant cycle timeline:
- Letters of Intent dueFriday, April 5th, 2024.
- Completed grant applications dueFriday, May 3rd, 2024.
For answers to specific questions regarding eligibility, guidelines, and the application process, contact the individual program administrators at their contact information below.
Municipal Park Improvement Program – Nancy Witkowski – (201) 336-7255
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Historic Preservation Grant Program – Elaine Gold – (201) 336-7294
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Land Acquisition and Floodplain Acquisition Programs – Kenneth Aloisio – (201) 336-6454
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The Division of Land Management is dedicated to protecting and providing additional open spaces and maintaining and enhancing the quality and degree of open space throughout Bergen County.
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