Hillsborough Receives Sustainable Jersey Grant For Willow Road Study

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Township is a recipient of a $2,000 Sustainable Jersey grant, funded by the PSEG Foundation, to support a study of potential green infrastructure projects at 291 Willow Road.

Hillsborough Planning Director David Kois and Assistant Planner/Sustainability Program Manager Samantha Ball attended a grant award ceremony at The College of New Jersey on June 15 to receive the funds.

"Hillsborough Township is thrilled to accept this grant award from Sustainable Jersey and the PSE&G Foundation. This funding will be used to assess the feasibility of on-site green infrastructure improvements on a currently underutilized Township Open Space property," Mayor Catherine Payne said.

Fifty-six New Jersey municipalities, schools and school districts were selected by Sustainable Jersey to receive more than $300,000 in grant funding to support sustainability initiatives statewide. The grants, funded by the PSEG Foundation, support projects focused on environmental stewardship, climate resilience, green infrastructure, food waste reduction, environmental education and community engagement.

The funding will go toward a feasibility study at 291 Willow Road, a 10.3-acre property designated as open space. The property includes a detention basin easement designed to capture stormwater from surrounding development and a preexisting walking and biking path connecting Willow Road to Michelle Lane.

Hillsborough officials said they aim to implement solutions that manage on-site stormwater while also creating a small parklet for residents, and hope the project will be the start of a larger effort to manage stormwater through natural systems.

"As a longtime participant in the Sustainable Jersey program, Hillsborough is committed to implementing projects that demonstrate how thoughtful planning can improve both our environment and quality of life," said Ball, the assistant planner and sustainability program manager.

"This grant is an important first step toward creating a model that can inspire future sustainability initiatives throughout the Township."

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