RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Raritan Township officials celebrated the completion of major improvements at Blackwell Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, marking the transformation of the park into an expanded recreational destination featuring new pickleball courts, a dog park and upgraded recreational facilities.
The improvements, completed over the past two years, include Raritan Township’s first municipal dog park, new playground equipment, a refurbished basketball court, improved Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility and walkways, and upgrades to the park’s pavilion.
The project received financial support from Hunterdon County through its Municipal Park and Recreation Grant Program. The county awarded the township $100,000 in 2024 to help replace playground equipment and an additional $70,000 in 2025 for other park improvements, bringing the total county contribution to $170,000.
Mayor Brad Perry said the improvements reflect the township’s commitment to preserving open space while ensuring that public parks remain accessible and useful to the community.
“Raritan Township has made a strong commitment to preserving open space, with more than 100 acres preserved this year alone. But preservation is only part of that commitment. We also want our residents to be able to use and enjoy the spaces we work so hard to protect,” Mayor Brad Perry said. “Blackwell Park is a great example of that promise in action, and we appreciate Hunterdon County’s partnership in helping us create more opportunities for residents and families to enjoy their community while being respectful of taxpayers’ dollars.”
Township officials said the Blackwell Park improvements are part of a broader effort to connect open-space preservation with recreational opportunities. Earlier this year, Raritan Township established a citizen-led Recreation Advisory Committee to give community members a greater role in shaping recreational programming, recommending park improvements and identifying ways to make better use of township parks and public open spaces.
The committee is intended to provide input on how the township can continue expanding recreational opportunities while maintaining the open spaces it has worked to preserve.
Township officials said Raritan Township plans to continue investing in recreational facilities while preserving the open spaces that help define the community.
