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Township seeks Green Acres grant to convert Corydon/Bridal Hall field to multiuse synthetic turf
Summary
Middletown’s recreation director presented a Green Acres grant application to replace an existing baseball field with a multiuse synthetic turf facility, citing expanded hours, accessibility and lower long‑term maintenance; the township voted to submit the grant application.
Janet Dallas, Middletown’s Recreation and Parks Director, told the township committee on Feb. 2 that the town is seeking a New Jersey Green Acres Park Development grant to convert the heavily used Corydon/Bridal Hall baseball field into a multiuse synthetic turf facility designed for baseball, softball and other sports.
Dallas said the project would upgrade lighting to energy‑efficient LED fixtures, add fencing, dugouts and bleachers, improve pedestrian access and circulation, and create space for inclusive youth programs in partnership with RallyCap Sports. "We conducted a survey via the website," Dallas said. "There were 679 participants of this survey." She reported survey results showing roughly half of respondents were strongly supportive and most backed multiuse and accessible programming.
The presentation included a 53‑page environmental impact assessment by T&M Associates; Dallas said the review found the project complies with applicable urban park development regulations and identified mitigation measures to limit temporary construction impacts. Dallas told the committee a 20‑year life‑cycle comparison shows synthetic turf has a higher upfront cost but substantially greater annual usable hours and lower long‑term maintenance, which lowers cost per usable hour over time.
During committee questions, members asked whether curb and drive modifications were included (Dallas said yes), whether Litterville Road would remain one‑way (Dallas said it would), and whether project costs were itemized. Dallas cited a line‑item estimate and identified the turf carpet at roughly $370,000; she said final funding decisions would follow a grant award and any required capital budgeting. "For the Green Acres grant, they'll provide a grant of 25%. So 25% of the total project cost is $688,500," Dallas said, adding that the project total estimate presented was $2,754,000 and the township would request approximately $2,065,500 in local capital if awarded the grant.
Residents who spoke during the public comment period were largely supportive. Christine Mallard, a Middletown schools graduate and parent, said the poll results "should speak for itself" and described the value of year‑round turf fields with lights for youth activity and travel teams. Justin Elling asked whether the project would be included in the capital budget and whether open‑space funds would be used; township officials said final funding sources would be decided after a grant award. One resident urged careful contractor selection based on prior field work elsewhere.
The committee voted to close the public portion of the Green Acres hearing and approved submitting the grant application and proceeding with grant‑related steps. The application now proceeds to the Green Acres review process; if awarded, the township will return with specific funding and contract proposals for subsequent approvals.
