Half Mile Of Horses, Other Projects Share Freehold $125K Grant

FREEHOLD, NJ — The borough has received renewal for year three of a five-year Neighborhood Preservation Program grant, so not only will the Half Mile of Horses Art Walk return, but the grant will support many other borough projects as well.

The grant is $125,000 and is renewable up to five years, said Dominica R. Napolitano, coordinator of the Neighborhood Preservation Program.

And she said the grant allows for many important projects.

For the past two years, business owners received funding to update their facades (signage, painting, windows), replace old garbage receptacles and install decorative light poles in the downtown area. Trees were planted and the borough held a community clean up day, she said.

She said that although the Half Mile of Horses is "creative and beautiful and offers so much to the community," other initiatives supported by the grant should be recognized.

Through the grant, the borough will again be looking to replace old garbage receptacles, offer funds for commercial facades, hold a community clean up day and update a local park, she said.

But one of the most recognizable projects now associated with the borough is the Half Mile of Horses Art Walk.

And it will be back - most likely with 18 decorated horse sculptures, as were exhibited last year, Napolitano said. The first year exhibited 12 horses.

Soon the borough will be sending out requests for proposals, so area artists should keep an eye out for updates. Check the Freehold Borough Facebook site to look for updates.