Hudson Raritan Estuary Urban Rain Gardens Grant Summary (2023) 

Grant Program Highlights

This grant program will fund the design and construction of urban rain gardens and similar small-scale bioretention projects that utilize vegetation and soil to absorb and filter stormwater, thereby mitigating flooding and reducing pollution. ONRR has provided nearly $1,000,000 in funding for urban rain garden projects in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary. Awards were announced in 2023 and the projects are in progress:

  • Bergenfield – Bergenfield Police Athletic League Field Rain Garden: The Borough of Bergenfield requested funds to design and construct a rain garden at the Bergenfield Police Athletic League (PAL) building. The rain garden will be built with the primary goal of reducing stormwater runoff and improving water quality. This project is in an Overburdened Community. Total Project Cost: $235,625. Preliminary Award Amount: $212,750.
  • Carteret – Carteret Park Rain Garden: The Borough of Carteret requested funds to construct a rain garden that will enhance 0.41 acres of Carteret Park with land grading and planting of native vegetation. The project aims to improve resilience for future flooding events with the installation of a rain garden and supporting underdrains. The construction of a rain garden is expected to reduce polluted runoff and increase water infiltration. This project is in an Overburdened Community. Total Project Cost: $197,800. Preliminary Award Amount: $189,200.
  • Harrison – Harrison Firehouse Stormwater Planter Project: The Town of Harrison has requested funds to construct and install a 260-square-foot stormwater planter at the Harrison Fire Department headquarters on Sussex Street. The stormwater planter will be installed to capture stormwater run-off from the roof of the building and nearby roadways. This project is in an Overburdened Community and is within a Combined Sewer Overflow area. Total Project Cost: $44,175. Preliminary Award Amount $34,175.
  • Hoboken – Right-of-Way Green Infrastructure Gardens: Hoboken requested funding to design and construct two right-of-way bioretention rain gardens at the intersections of 2nd & Monroe Streets and 4th & Bloomfield Streets.  The project will use innovative design strategies at existing flooding hotspots to improve stormwater management and delay discharge to Hoboken’s combined sewer system, ultimately contributing to fewer combined sewer overflows. This project is located within a Combined Sewer Overflow area. Total Project Cost: $85,325. Preliminary Award Amount: $85,325. 
  • Secaucus – Trolley Park Rain Garden: Secaucus requested funds to design and construct a 650-square-foot bioretention facility next to Trolley Park at the foot of Paterson Plank Road, along the Hackensack River. The design includes an atrium-style drain located in the center of the proposed rain garden that will convey overflow to an existing catch basin. The project is expected to greatly reduce flooding events in this area during frequent heavy rains. This project is in an Overburdened Community. Total Project Cost: $81,972. Preliminary Award Amount: $81,972.
  • Teaneck – Drainage Improvements at Belle Avenue Area: Teaneck requested funds to design and construct nine bioswales along Belle Avenue between Beatrice Street and NJ Route 4. The bioswales will reduce rainwater runoff and improve stormwater management during excessive rainfalls that could otherwise end up draining into the Hackensack River.  Total Project Cost: $335,225. Preliminary Award Amount 300,000.