West Windsor received over $200,000 of a nearly $500,000 grant from the county to complete the Duck Pond Park
WEST WINDSOR - The township was just given the second part of a $500,000 grant from the county to finish the third and fourth phases of the township's future Duck Pond Park.
The township received $224,250, half of the nearly $500,000 grant from the county, according to a press release sent out Friday.
The Duck Pond Park is just one of the county's 20 projects which are funded by the Mercer County at Play grant. Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes developed the grant, which has amassed a total of $6.2 million, in 2006 as an incentive to get local municipalities to start developing more athletic fields and parks, according to the release.
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West Windsor was one of the townships that stepped up to the plate.
The 123-acre Duck Pond Park, which sits on Meadow Road, has been underway since 2011 when the township put in several lighted soccer fields.
It has grown to include two tennis courts, two basketball courts, a picnic area, a pond, a volleyball court and a mile of walking paths, according to the press release.
West Windsor Mayor Shing-Fu Hsueh was not available for comment Friday afternoon but he did speak for the press release and thanked both Mercer County and the West Windsor-Plainsboro Soccer Association for their help with turning the park into a reality.
The acceptance of the grant money for the park was just the latest in a series of preservation and beautification efforts by the township.
On Wednesday the township also announced the preservation of 35 acres of land along state Route 571 in West Windsor.
Hughes, who helped in the preservation effort, said, "The preservation of this property contribute to the protection of this waterway, water quality and wildlife habitat while providing the opportunity for passive recreation in the future," according to a separate press release.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
