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Eatontown applies for Green Acres grant to resurface Walcott Park courts and add family restroom
Summary
Recreation officials asked council to approve a Green Acres grant application to convert worn sport‑court overlay into hard court surfaces at Walcott Park — creating six playable courts and adding a family restroom by repurposing storage; the project cost was presented at $576,000 with a 50% Green Acres match.
Eatontown’s recreation director presented a Green Acres Park Development application to resurface courts at Walcott Park and to add a family restroom by repurposing existing storage, asking the council to approve submitting the grant application due Feb. 27.
Janice, the recreation official leading the application, said the proposal would replace the deteriorated sport‑court overlay with a more durable hard court surface to provide six playable courts (two tennis and four pickleball) and a family restroom. She said the total project cost is $576,000 and that Green Acres would cover 50% of eligible costs — roughly $288,000 — if awarded; she recommended the borough apply now and pursue county Open Space funding or other matching sources if the award is made. Janice also noted that the existing perimeter posts are serviceable and that the grant scope focuses on court surfaces and user safety.
Public commenters and councilors voiced strong support, emphasizing youth access and the region’s demand for tennis and pickleball courts. Council discussed timing (construction windows and seasonal use) and the borough’s ability to fund a local match in the capital budget if the grant is awarded.
Why it matters: The park upgrade addresses persistent safety and playability complaints and supports youth and community recreation; the grant would substantially offset local capital costs. Council placed the application on the consent agenda for consideration during the regular meeting and instructed staff to pursue layered funding strategies if the award is made.
