Honorable Congressman Pallone:

The Township of Edison has created a viable, detailed proposal for a $1.00 to $1.00, reimbursable, matching grant of $350,000.00 from the Middlesex County Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund under the Municipal Recreation Grant Program for the 2018 Edison Multi-Site Public Park Revitalization Project.

Since their original development 20+ years ago, the 15 parks identified in the proposal (Beatrice Parkway Park, Blossom Park, Edison Woods Park, Gateway Park, Old Post Park, Polansky Park, Stephen J. Capestro Park, Bernard J. Dwyer Park, Dudash Park, Idlewild Park, North Edison Park, Schenkmeyer Park, Shamrock Park and Swales Park) have provided innumerable opportunities for free, outdoor recreation, exercise, sports and socialization activities to an estimated 25,000 residents and visitors annually, representing an approximate total of 500,000 to date (1998-2018).

Notwithstanding continued maintenance and repairs by the Edison Department of Public Works, inevitable wear and tear has occurred due to sustained use and outdoor exposure, these fifteen of twenty four public parks now require various amounts of repair, replacement and renovation for their needed revitalization to ensure continuation of their free and safe use by the public, as well as compliance with the current New Jersey Playground Safety Subcode and ADA.

A Letter of Support (see attached example) from you to endorse this green/sustainable, open space resource development initiative would be greatly appreciated.

Upon completion, please forward the completed and signed Letter of Support to my attention, that it might be included with the 2018 EDPW Edison Multi-Site Park Revitalization Project package, for submission to the Middlesex County Open Space, Recreation and Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund under the Municipal Recreation Grant Program for a request of $350,000.00.

Please contact me, should you have any comments, questions, suggestions, information and/or requests.

Thank you for giving this matter your time, attention, cooperation and support.  It is appreciated.

Chris Mazauskas  Resource Development Officer

Department of Administration   Township of Edison

100 Municipal Boulevard  3rd Floor  Edison, NJ 08817-3302

732-248-7356  Telephone  732-287-6679  Fax  908-884-6747  Cellphone

[email address]  e-mail  www.EdisonNJ.org  Website

7/18/18

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