$25K Grant To Make Highland Park Farmers' Market A Town Square

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — Some noticeable improvements are coming to the parking lot off Raritan Ave. (Rt. 27) where the Highland Park farmers' market is held.

That area of downtown Highland Park was recently given a $25,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA). The money will be used to turn the farmers' market area into a downtown square. The lot will be re-paved, a covered pavilion will be built and bike racks will be added, according to the state agency. The grant money was applied for, and will be distributed, by Main Street Highland Park.

The Highland Park Farmers Market is located on 218 Raritan Ave (Rt. 27) between 2nd and 3rd avenues in Highland Park. The market is open every Friday. It is currently held in an empty parking lot, pictured above.

The grant was awarded last Wednesday, July 17 and it was announced by Senator Patrick Diegnan (D-South Plainfield), Assemblywoman Nancy Pinkin (D-East Brunswick), and Assemblyman Robert Karabinchak (D-Edison), all of whom represent the area in Trenton.

According to an announcement from their offices, the grant will "repurpose a makeshift downtown gathering area into a true downtown square, including pavilions, paving, bicycle facilities, public art and more. The project will provide public space for events and community gatherings all year long."

“The lot is much more than a parking lot — it essentially functions as our community gathering space for many events throughout the year,” said Rebecca Hersh, Executive Director of Main Street Highland Park. “Our town does not have any other public gathering space downtown, and as a result, a wide variety of events happen in this space, including the weekly farmers market, outdoor movies, downtown planting days, the tree lighting, the menorah lighting, Halloween festivities, a Small Business Weekend holiday artisan market, live music, and more.”

The project includes: repaving and restriping the lot; adding some electrical to allow for vendors to plug in; adding some decorative lighting so evening events are better lit; a covered pavilion at the very front of the lot near the sidewalk; a public art component; a new bicycle rack; a bicycle repair station; a wayfinding sign to make the lot easier to find; and a public information bulletin board. The lot will also continue to function as a public municipal parking lot.

The project is partially paid for by the grant; the rest of the funds come from the nonprofit organization, Main Street Highland Park. The Borough of Highland Park, as the property owner of the parking lot, is also providing some of the amenities for the project, including the surface paving, the bicycle rack, and the bicycle repair station.

"This modest project will have a huge impact in the center of our town,” said Highland Park Mayor Gayle Brill Mittler.

It remains unclear when exactly work will begin, but the project is expected to be completed in December 2019.

The Metuchen Downtown Alliance received a similar $23,000 grant from the DCA. That money will provide funds for placemaking in Imagination Alley on Main Street, and provide nearby businesses with new signage, lighting and awnings in downtown Metuchen, the state legislators said.

Also this Friday, July 26 is the Highland Park farmers' market tomato salsa competition. Make your own tomato salsa and bring it to the farmers' market to compete. Note: This must be tomato-based salsa as it is part of their tomato fest. Learn more here: Tomato Salsa Contest Application