Passaic County, NJ – The Passaic County Board of County Commissioners is proud to announce the 2026 recommendations for the Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program, totaling $3,746,267 in grant awards spanning 27 projects across the county. This year's funding cycle carries special significance as the program celebrates its 25th anniversary, having distributed tens of millions of dollars in support of parks, open lands and historic resources since its first funding round in 2001.

The annual application process is administered by the County's Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust Fund Advisory Committee, which evaluates proposals from municipalities and nonprofit organizations based on community benefit, regional impact and project readiness. Funding is distributed through two resolutions: awards of more than $100,000 require a public hearing under state statute, while smaller awards may be approved without one.

Thirteen (13) open space projects grant projects, are being recommended for awards over $100,000, and must go through a mandatory public comment period, starting on May 26th and running through September. Residents wishing to submit comments on any of these projects may do so by emailing Open Space Coordinator Salvatore Presti at salvatorep@passaiccountynj.org until early September 2026. The remaining thirteen (13) grant applicants receiving $100,000 or under will not require additional public comment periods and were awarded at the Passaic County Board of Commissioners meeting on May 26, 2026.

"Twenty-five years ago, Passaic County made a commitment to protect what makes this region worth living in: its parks, its green spaces, its history," said Passaic County Commissioner Christina Schratz. "This milestone is a testament to the municipalities, nonprofits and residents who have partnered with us year after year to make that vision a reality. The 2026 awards continue that legacy and build on it in meaningful ways."

Proposed 2026 Awards Requiring Public Hearing – $2,918,990 

Park Development

• Bloomingdale: Walter T. Bergen Fitness Course – $125,000
• Clifton: Main Memorial Park StoryWalk Project – $250,000
• Haledon: Recreation Center Splash Pad and Outdoor Restroom Facility – $200,000
• Little Falls: Louis Street Park Phase II – $250,000
• North Haledon: Rehabilitation of Walking Paths Phase I – $250,000
• Pompton Lakes: Willow Field Playground – $229,000
• Prospect Park: Splash Pad Restroom – $250,000
• Ringwood: Stonetown Turf Field Phase III – $250,000
• Totowa: Totowa PAL Field Walking Path Restoration – $239,990
• Wanaque: Laurie Field Fitness Court Installation – $175,000
• Wayne Township: Community Center Sport Court Restoration II – $250,000
• Woodland Park: Park Improvements at Rosa Park Place & Zaccaria Park – $200,000

Historic Preservation

• City of Paterson: Van Houten House Stabilization – $250,000

2026 Awards Not Requiring Public Hearing – $827,277 

An additional $827,277 in grant awards have been approved without a public hearing requirement. These projects support restoration and site improvements led by municipalities, historical societies and nonprofit partners.

Park Development

• Clifton: Main Memorial Park Music Playground – $100,000
• Hawthorne: Wagaraw Field 4 Bleacher Improvements – $81,000
• Ringwood Little League: Ringwood Borough Field Batting Cage Project – $25,127
• Wayne Little League: Wayne Little League D3 Turf – $90,000

Historic Preservation

•  American Labor Museum: Restoration of Wire Fence, Entrance Doors, Collection Room & Clothes Closet – $34,000
• Borough of Bloomingdale: Delazier Field Museum Renovations – $100,000
• City of Paterson: Eastside Park Fitness Area Improvement Project – $100,000
• Dawn Treader Christian School: Outside Stairs Restoration Project – $43,000
• Friends of Wallisch Homestead: Stone Barn Rehabilitation Re-Pointing Project – $27,150
• Friends of Wallisch Homestead: Creamery Rehabilitation Re-Pointing Project – $40,000
• Little Falls Historical Society: Old Town Hall Windows Phase 2 – $50,000
• New Jersey Community Development Corporation: 16 Spruce Street Historic Preservation Envelope Rehabilitation – $50,000
• The Highlands Nature Friends: Phase 2 of 1880s Farmhouse Stabilization and Restoration – $50,000
• William Paterson University Foundation: Hobart Manor Parlor Restoration Project Phase I – $37,000

Interactive Open Space Map Marks 25 Years of Investment 
To mark the program's 25th anniversary, the Passaic County Planning Department has developed an interactive Open Space map that documents every Park Development award granted since the program's first funding round in 2001. The map allows users to explore award locations throughout Passaic County, view photographs of each site and see the funding amount awarded by project and year. The 2026 awards will be added to the map once approved by the Board of County Commissioners.