Gov. Phil Murphy has appropriated $20 million in the fiscal year 2025 budget for the Local Recreation Improvement Grant to support improvement and repairs to public school recreation facilities, the Department of Community Affairs announced.

The Division of Local Government Services within the Department of Community Affairs will administer the Local Recreation Improvement Grant awards, which may be adjusted or capped based upon applications submitted. A recommended maximum award of $100,000 shall govern; however, awards in excess of the cap may be authorized if warranted and depending upon program demand. LRIG may supplement new and existing projects, but funding duplication is not permitted and cannot supplant allocated grant funding from other sources.  Priority will be given to underserved populations and those that include a local match component.

The Local Recreation Improvement Grant is a competitive grant that supports improvement and repair of public school recreational facilities including local parks, municipal recreation centers, and local stadiums.

Grant funds will be allocated to each grant recipient to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts, and recreational facilities; project development professional services costs; equipment costs including playground and recreation facilities equipment; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use.

The Local Recreation Improvement Grant exists to:

  • Fund improvements to recreational facilities.
  • Provide quality outdoor recreational space to underserved communities, particularly in this time of heightened need.
  • Assist local units in achieving unmet recreational obligations.
  • Equipment (example: cost of playgrounds or stadium or community theatre bleachers).
  • Remediation costs associated with preparing recreation sites for use.
  • Other directly related costs.

 New Jersey counties, municipalities, and school districts are eligible to apply.

Applicants must submit applications utilizing the NJDCA SAGE Portal. 

Submission Deadline

DLGS must be in receipt of one electronic copy of the completed application in SAGE by 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 31, 2025, for the applicant(s) to be eligible for grant funding.

Incomplete applications will not be considered for funding. Applications not submitted on or before 5 p.m. on Jan. 31, 2025, will be rejected.

Applicants may contact the Department of Community Affairs via email to discuss program and project needs up to submission of the application.