New Library, Municipal Park, Streetscaping Coming To Parsippany

PARSIPPANY, NJ – After postponing the announcement Monday for sunnier skies, Mayor Michael Soriano shared Tuesday that $4 million in major grant funding will be providing Parsippany with a new library, new park and streetscaping on North Beverwyck Road.

“Our refurbishment of North Beverwyck Road began with the installation of signs bearing its original name: Washington’s Trail,” said Soriano. “It continued with a major walkability study conducted in partnership with The College of New Jersey, and plans for streetscaping improvements to make this downtown a more walkable destination.”

Soriano said the landmark infusion of capital includes a new Library in Lake Hiawatha, Phase 1 of North Beverwyck Road streetscaping, and the completion of what will be the largest contiguous tract of open space in Parsippany. These grant funds were secured to improve the walkability and aesthetics of North Beverwyck Road, to benefit small businesses, to modernize Lake Hiawatha’s Library branch, and to work toward the creation of Henry N. Luther Park. These projects will benefit Parsippany’s economy and improve the quality of life in the most densely populated area in the Township.

Lake Hiawatha will benefit from the “Library Construction Bond Act (LCBA)” – from which the Township was awarded $2,999,530 – specifically for construction of a brand-new library branch in Lake Hiawatha. The new construction will also include critical technology upgrades to better serve and be more accessible to Township residents.

Lake Hiawatha will also benefit from a Morris County Open Space Grant – an award of $659,000 – to acquire a 5.4-acre tract of land along Knoll Road. This will complete the Township’s acquisition of 30 acres of contiguous open space, to create Henry N. Luther Park, which will be Parsippany’s largest municipal park, and the Township’s 32nd public park. In addition to passive and active recreation opportunities, the park will have direct access to the proposed Boonton Reservoir Trails Project. This acquisition will be the culmination of an over 30-year investment to preserve the open space in Lake Hiawatha.

North Beverwyck Road will soon benefit from the “FY2021 Municipal Aid Grant” – an award of $351,700 – specifically for Phase 1 streetscaping. This program will widen sidewalks, improve traffic management, install new infrastructure, and advance other aspects to the benefit of North Beverwyck Road’s mobility, aesthetics, and economic activity, Soriano said.

In total, the three grants comprise $4,010,230 in direct economic investment into Lake Hiawatha and the surrounding community. This infusion of funds is unprecedented in the Township, Soriano said, noting that these grants are a major step in his administration’s efforts to assist local businesses, improve the quality of life for residents, and make North Beverwyck Road a downtown destination.

“Grant funds do not automatically appear,” Soriano said. “Our receipt of this capital is the culmination of months and years of hard work and dedication by our Township staff and professionals.”

You can view the video of his announcement below.

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