Grant Money Funds Park Improvements, Planting 100 Trees In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Due to historic levels of grant funding that Westfield has recently received, local parks and the Fire Department will reap many benefits.

Westfield recently received two grants from the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Additionally, the Westfield Fire Department received funds from the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant program to purchase additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for personnel.

According to Mayor Shelley Brindle, the Kid's Recreation Trust Fund — intended to assist with improvements to recreation resources for children — awarded Westfield $36,477 to replace the fencing and provide new equipment for the basketball courts at Windsor Park.

In addition, the Greening Union County program awarded the town with $10,000 to go toward the planting of 100 new trees.

Both of these grant programs are funded through the Union County Open Space, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Trust Fund, with funds awarded to municipalities on a matching grant basis.

Chief Michael Duelks announced that the Fire Department received $28,000 from the American Rescue Plan Firefighter Grant program.

Brindle said there were 293 competitive grants awarded to fire companies across New Jersey, totaling New Jersey’s $10 million allotment of funding, with 12 awarded to Union County fire departments.

Brindle thanked Battalion Chief Robert Sawicki for leading the effort in preparing the application, along with the assistance of Firefighter Ryan Dullea.

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