The Union County Board of County Commissioners announced recipients of its 2025 Open Space, Kids Recreation Trust, Greening Union County and Preserve Union County grants and heard presentations from multiple municipalities and organizations about the projects those awards will support.

The grants, announced at the board's agenda-setting meeting, fund playground and field upgrades, tree-planting and repairs to historic buildings across the county. “These grants not only enhance recreation and environmental sustainability, but they also strengthen our shared sense of community and pride in the place we call home,” said Chairwoman Leon.

Commissioner Sergio Granados, chairman of the Open Space, Recreation and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Committee, described the program as a continuing investment in open space and historic preservation. “This year's funding represents more than just dollars. It represents opportunity,” Granados said, adding the awards support safer play areas for children, greener parks and work to preserve heritage sites.

Presenters included municipal leaders and nonprofit stewards who described how they will use the funding. A speaker from Berkeley Heights said their application would support improvements at a playground used by a summer camp that serves “over 500 children.” Clark Township representative Mary Angel Albanese said the township will use funds to replace shingles on the 17th-century William Robinson House, upgrade two softball fields and plant 30 trees. Fanwood Mayor Colleen Marr said Fanwood will use its Kids Recreation Trust grant to improve netting around two baseball fields at La Grande Park “to keep our spectators safe.”

Other announcements included plans to create new pickleball/tennis courts and lighting at a site on Pulaski and Richland streets (construction scheduled to begin in 2026); a Plainfield mayoral note that funds would help restore trees lost in July storms; Rahway’s planned replacement of a 20-year-old play structure with inclusive elements for ages 2 to 12; and preservation projects at the Merchants and Drovers Tavern Museum and the Frazee homestead restoration.

Nonprofit and historic-site speakers described interior and exterior work the grants will support. Kiera Reno of Jerusalem Lodge No. 26 thanked the board for help with preservation of the Plainfield Masonic Temple, listed on state and national registers. Shirley Maxwell, president of the Kenilworth Historical Society, listed several completed restorations at the Oswald J. Nitschke House and said the Preserve Union County application would support porch roof repairs.

County staff thanked grant program personnel for managing applications. Commissioner Granados acknowledged staff members Victoria Durbin Drake, Angelica Cedeno and Victoria Rendon for administering the trust fund programs.

The meeting did not include votes on these grants; presenters offered project descriptions and thanks while the board’s agenda listed the resolutions for later formal consideration during the regular meeting.

The meeting moved on after the presentations to the rest of the agenda, which included departmental resolutions and other items. A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Mirabella and seconded by Vice Chairman Joseph Bodek; the agenda meeting was then adjourned.