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Monroe Council holds public hearing for Green Acres grant to build park on North Disbrow Hill Road
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Summary
Council opened a Green Acres public hearing on a proposed inclusive playground, parking and trails at 80 North Disbrow Hill Road, a 21-acre parcel the township plans to purchase; staff said about 8 acres are upland and the township is seeking a $938,000 (50%) Green Acres grant toward a $1,876,000 Phase 1 budget.
Monroe Township officials opened a public hearing on a Green Acres grant application for Phase 1 of a new park at 80 North Disbrow Hill Road.
Mister Rasimowicz summarized the proposal as an inclusive playground meeting DCA standards, a parking lot with an access loop to Monmouth Road, walking paths and a stormwater basin. He told the council the parcel is approximately 21 acres and that the township’s estimate for Phase 1 is $1,876,000, with a Green Acres request of $938,000—about 50 percent of that phase’s cost.
Residents pressed staff for details about ownership, wetlands and timing. Staff said the township will close on the property this year under a contract of sale approved previously (purchase price discussed in the meeting as $2,450,000) and emphasized that Phase 1 will be constrained to upland areas. "It's approximately 8 acres of uplands out of the 21," staff said when asked about buildable area. Officials said they would not disturb wetlands or wetland buffers as part of this phase and that trails may pass through passive wetland areas.
Council and administration also discussed funding: the township will contribute the non-grant share and staff said they plan to apply to additional sources, such as a Local Recreation Improvement Grant, to reduce the municipal contribution. Staff noted Green Acres is a shared-financing program that typically does not cover full project costs.
On schedule, staff estimated the Green Acres review and approvals could take several months—based on prior experience, roughly nine months—and that construction would likely occur in 2027. The project’s Phase 1 scope does not include restrooms; future phases could add sports fields or other amenities pending permitting and additional funding.
The hearing closed after public questions and staff responses. The record shows the township discussed applying for Green Acres funding and plans to pursue additional grants; the transcript does not record a final council vote on the Green Acres application during this session.
