Raritan Township upgrading playgrounds at Blackwell Park and Mine Brook with state grant support
RARITAN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Hunterdon County) — Two Raritan Township parks are undergoing major upgrades to improve their playgrounds and recreational facilities, part of an ongoing effort to enhance outdoor spaces and community gathering areas.
At Blackwell Park, residents and visitors can look forward to an updated playground featuring a rubberized, weed-free safety surface. Additional improvements planned for the park include the installation of pickleball courts, a dog park, and the resurfacing of the existing basketball court.
At Mine Brook Park, a new playground will soon replace equipment that has served the community for more than 30 years. The updated site will feature a climbing structure for toddlers, a separate play structure for children ages 5–12, and a swing set that includes a “freedom swing,” designed to provide a safe and secure seat for children of all abilities. Township officials said the demolition phase is complete and installation of the new structures will begin soon.
In 2023, Raritan Township received a $66,000 Local Recreation Improvement Grant (LRIG) from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA) to help offset installation costs. The LRIG program provides funding to local governments and schools across the state to support access to quality outdoor and recreational spaces.
Earlier this year, in April 2025, the township was awarded an additional $36,000 LRIG grant to continue the playground improvements currently underway. Plans also include paving the park’s walking trail and upgrading picnic tables.
Other funding sources for the projects include the Hunterdon County Municipal Park and Recreation Grant Program, the Municipal Open Space Grant, and the Township’s Open Space Fund.
“Well-maintained parks, playgrounds, trails, and recreational facilities are an important part of what keeps communities vibrant and healthy because they are so often the places where people gather for fun and friendship,” said NJDCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suarez. “By helping local governments take care of these resources, the Local Recreation Improvement Grants make it possible for more New Jersey residents to benefit from quality recreation spaces that are essential to human well-being.”
The LRIG grants were awarded through the NJDCA’s Division of Local Government Services following a competitive application process. The funding is reimbursement-based, meaning eligible costs are reimbursed to municipalities once they submit proof of qualifying expenses.
The township said the upgrades are expected to create safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable spaces for residents of all ages to gather and play.
