DCA Awards Nearly $10 Million in Local Recreation Improvement Grants to 154 Local Governments Across the State
- Posted on: 04/13/2026
Grant Funding Will Help Improve Community Centers, Parks, Pools, Sports Fields, and Recreational Trails
TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today announced the award of $9.918 million in Local Recreation Improvement Grants (LRIG) to counties, municipalities, and school districts across New Jersey to ensure public access to quality outdoor space and recreational facilities. The Division of Local Government Services (DLGS), which administers the program, awarded grants to 154 local governments, including 65 first-time LRIG applicants, through a competitive application process.
“DCA is incredibly pleased to be in a position to help local governments improve and maintain recreational spaces that are so important to people’s quality of life,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “The Local Recreation Improvement Grants make it financially possible for communities to have good athletic fields and courts for local sports leagues, and resources such as parks, recreation centers, pools, and playgrounds where people can come together and enjoy the benefits that accompany access to recreation.”
Grant recipients will use the funding to help cover costs associated with updating community centers, playgrounds, pools, athletic fields, walking or bicycle trails, rail trails, multi-sport courts, and recreational facilities. The grants can also be utilized for project development professional services such as engineering and architectural costs; equipment costs including playgrounds or bleachers for stadiums or community theaters; and environmental remediation costs required to prepare recreation sites for use.
A full list of the recipients, including grant award and grant project, is posted at /dca/dlgs/programs/lriggrants.shtml on the DCA website.
A copy of the FY 2026 Local Recreation Improvement Grant Management Guidelines can also be found at: /dca/dlgs/programs/lriggrants.shtml.
To qualify for grant funding, applicants had to:
- Describe the intended use of grant funding for improvement or repair of a specific local recreation site.
- Identify any previously encountered obstacles to repair or improve the recreation site.
- Demonstrate their ability to complete the proposed project and provide project management and oversight for all activities and fiscal operations.
- List key personnel and/or the outside consultant that will be managing the grant funds and proposed project.
- Provide a cost breakdown of the project.
- Submit a governing body resolution acknowledging and approving any grant application and the proposed plan or design for the recreation space or community facility for which funding is sought.
- Certify that the property where improvements will be made is owned by the county, municipality, or school district.
Grant applications were evaluated based on distressed community ranking, financial need, project feasibility, local match commitment, and scope of impact.
The Local Recreation Improvement Grants are reimbursement based. There is no advance payment or drawdown of grant funds. Grant funds are provided to the local government when it submits evidence of payment of qualifying expenses to DCA.
DLGS serves as an advocate for local government interests and provides technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, shared services, purchasing, and management issues. It is responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units and reviews and approves all municipal, county, and fire district budgets. The Division also reviews many local government financial actions and governs and guides the conduct of local government officials.
Aside from local government management and finance, DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, rental and utility assistance, disaster recovery and mitigation, information privacy, and historic preservation.
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