FRANKLIN RECREATION: WHERE MAKING THE HEALTHY CHOICE, IS THE RIGHT CHOICE
Going Local is a great way to start or enhance your personal health and wellness program. With over 9,400 acres of open space, including 1,000 acres of developed parkland, 60 miles of trails, 17.6 of bike paths and numerous recreation programs, you can find lots of free and reasonably priced ways to keep active right here in Franklin Township!
The Department of Parks & Recreation is not only committed to promoting the stewardship of parkland, but, also responding to public needs with a wide variety of recreation opportunities and leisure services, with a goal of improving the quality of life in the Township. You can easily visit the Department located in the Community/Senior Center at 505 DeMott Lane, in the municipal complex in Somerset, or you can visit online at www.franklintwpnj.org.
General recreation programs are provided for residents of all ages. Whether six months or 60 years young, there is something for everyone. Whether you are interested in fitness, self-improvement classes, sports, special events, social experiences or summer camps, you can find something of interest in the year-round list of program offerings! In addition, the Department has been a leader in the community in coordinating a wide range of prevention and wellness programs and works with young people to develop future leaders of the community. Senior citizen programs, therapeutic recreation programs, FYI juvenile delinquency and gang prevention programs, mentoring programs, and substance abuse prevention initiatives are all a crucial part of their comprehensive service program.
The Department has been able to provide reasonably priced quality services to residents seeking community based recreation programs. Over the past several years the department goal has been to offset as much of the program costs as possible though a fee based structure to reduce the impact on the general taxpayer. The program revenue is now covering the cost of the majority of the Recreation program operating expenditures. In addition to the budget, the Department generates, operates and supports $75,000 to $100,000 in grant funded prevention programs annually. They have been successful in obtaining grants through the Somerset County Youth Services Commission, the SC Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, the CDBG program, the NJJJC, Somerset County Council for the Arts, United Way, NJ Dept of Agriculture, and the NJ Dept of Community Affairs Recreational Opportunities Grant for Individuals with Disabilities.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY/SENIOR CENTER
The Community/Senior Center opened in 1998. In addition to housing the office of the Franklin Township Department of Parks & Recreation, on weekdays it is a bustling center for Senior Citizen activities from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Evenings and weekends are available for scheduled use for and/or by: Recreation programs, school district groups, Township residents, and non-profit civic groups organized in Franklin Township. This 16,000 square foot facility boasts a meeting room that can accommodate up to 250 people at table seating.
This large hall can also offer small meeting room space for groups of 80-100. Depending on your program or event a room with a stage and/or catering kitchen can also be reserved. The community center can be reserved Monday-Friday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am to 10:00pm. Depending on the event, 0rganizations and/or individuals contracting for use of the center may need to provide the Township with a certificate of insurance which shall name the Township of Franklin additionally insured in the amount of $1,000,000 per occasion and $100,000 property damage. Advance payment of rental fees and a maintenance bond is required. Applications can be found at obtained by calling Recreation at (732) 873-1991, option 4
