Scotch Plains Awarded $2 Million Grant for Major Improvements to Memorial Field
The Township of Scotch Plains has been awarded a $2 million grant to transform Memorial Field, creating a safer, more modern and versatile recreational complex while expanding the site’s memorial honoring those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
The $2 million award comes through the Union County Improvement Authority’s 2026 Capital Project Grant Program, in partnership with the Board of County Commissioners. The competitive program is providing a total of $10 million in capital funding exclusively to Union County municipalities for critical capital improvements and equipment purchases, with no local matching funds required.
The grant program was made possible through state funding secured with the support and advocacy of Senate President Nicholas P. Scutari (D-22nd Dist.), who represents Scotch Plains in the state Legislature. That funding allowed the UCIA, with support from Union County, to reprioritize existing resources and establish the grant program.
“This is a tremendous example of different levels of government working together to deliver a direct benefit to our residents,” Mayor Josh Losardo said. “We are grateful to Senate President Scutari, the Union County Improvement Authority and the Union County Board of County Commissioners for making this $2 million investment in Scotch Plains. Just as importantly, this grant allows us to undertake a major community improvement without requiring a matching contribution from our local taxpayers.”
The project will bring significant improvements to the approximately 2.8-acre Memorial Field property at 2435 Plainfield Ave., which includes a baseball field, playground, parking area and related recreational amenities.
Mike Walsh, chair of the township’s Recreation Commission, said Memorial Field has been an important part of recreation programming for many years, and this investment will make a tremendous difference for the children and families who use it.
“We will be able to better accommodate our growing recreation programs and provide a much better experience for players, coaches and spectators,” Walsh said. “We want Memorial Field to be a place where children of all ages can develop their skills, build friendships and create lasting memories. These improvements will help us achieve that goal while preserving the special significance of this property to our community.”
Deputy Mayor Matt Adams said the $2 million investment gives Scotch Plains an extraordinary opportunity to improve a park that has tremendous meaning to our community.
“Memorial Field is a place where generations of our children have played, but it also serves a much deeper purpose as a lasting tribute to those we lost on September 11,” the deputy mayor said. “We are committed to honoring that history while creating a first-class recreational facility for future generations.”
A centerpiece of the project will be the reconfiguration of the existing sports field to make better use of the available space and allow the Township to accommodate additional age groups and participants in its baseball and softball programs.
The project will also include new sports field netting designed to improve safety for players and spectators while providing greater protection for neighboring residential properties from errant baseballs and softballs.
Players will benefit from new benches and covered dugouts, providing improved accommodations and shaded areas during games and practices.
The Township also plans substantial improvements to the site’s stormwater collection system. The work will improve the capture and management of stormwater runoff, enhance drainage and support the long-term durability of the recreational complex.
Importantly, the project will also expand and enhance the existing 9/11 memorial at Memorial Field. The Township intends to ensure that the significance of the site remains central to the redesigned complex, providing residents with an appropriate place for remembrance and reflection.
“Memorial Field has always been about more than athletics,” Mayor Losardo said. “This project allows us to address important recreational, safety, accessibility and infrastructure needs while ensuring that the memorial remains a meaningful and prominent part of this property. The $2 million grant will allow us to make improvements that will serve Scotch Plains residents for decades.”
Deputy Mayor Adams noted there is limited open space in Scotch Plains for recreational purposes, so it is especially important to make the most of what is available. “This project is about being thoughtful stewards of our public spaces, making smart investments today and ensuring that Memorial Field continues to be a valuable community asset for generations to come,” he said.
The Township anticipates the project will take approximately 30 months to complete. The initial phase will include surveying, geotechnical investigations and other due diligence, followed by engineering design and permitting.
Once those steps are completed, the Township will move through the public bidding and contractor selection process. Construction is expected to include the field reconfiguration, sports netting, covered dugouts and player benches, stormwater improvements, memorial enhancements and associated site work.
The final design will seek to maximize the use of the existing parkland while improving safety, accessibility and the overall experience for athletes, families, spectators and neighboring residents.
Additional information regarding the project schedule, design and construction will be provided as the Township advances through the planning and engineering process.