Borough Receives 'Unprecedented' Open Space Grant From County

Matthew Hersh

As part of a county-wide municipal assistance program, Princeton Borough has received a $375,000 open space grant – marking the first time the built-out municipality has received such funding.

The grant also marks the first the time the county has exercised a "non-traditional" way of reaching its densest municipalities in an effort to promote park maintenance and open space, said Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes.

"Obviously we've had a lot of county open-space involvement in Princeton Township, but this is the first time we've been able to insert an open space grant into Princeton Borough," Mr. Hughes said.

"I think, almost in recognition to the fact that there's not a whole lot of open space in Princeton Borough, that new strategies need to be employed if redevelopment is going to take place," the county executive added, citing the Borough's downtown development project, along with the future development of Hulfish North on Palmer Square.

The move by the county is "unprecedented," according to Borough Councilman Andrew Koontz, who said that under the Hughes administration, there has been a "new take on things.

"I think it really speaks volumes on priorities."

Mr. Koontz added that the decision by the Mercer County Open Space board also addresses the goals put forth by dense communities like Hightstown and Pennington boroughs to increase usage and maintenance of existing open space in those towns. Previously, the limit for any community has been $300,000, but this year, the Borough has surpassed that mark by $75,000.

"Not only did we have a first time for Princeton Borough, but for them, it's the largest amount they've given to any muncipality," under this particular granting program, he said.

There have been several parks that could benefit from the grant, specifically Harrison Street Park, which needs a "good push toward some serious planning documents," Mr. Koontz said. "That is something I think would be a top priority."

The bulk of the money would go toward maintaining and completing the plaza adjacent to the Princeton Public Library.

Mr. Koontz has long been an advocate for parks improvement in the Borough, where several of the small parks, like Harrison Street and Pine Street, have long needed maintenance. Last year, the councilman first voiced the need for a so-called parks alliance, specifically, a 501 (c)(3) organization like the Central Park Conservancy in Manhattan.

Still in the development stages, the group, which received an endorsement from the Princeton Environmental Commission in March, would address the needs and requirements for the Borough's 10 parks.

"The most important role of the 501 (c)(3) would be to develop wishlists and priorities for the parks and identify projects" that would provide a "focused way" to handle incoming monies from the county.