Kean Visits Bernards Township to Highlight $1.84 Million for Pleasant Valley Park

(October 14, 2026) BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ - This week, Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07) visited Bernards Township to highlight the $1.84 million he secured in a House Appropriations bill for the Pleasant Valley Park culvert and paths.

The funding will be used for the construction of a culvert at Pleasant Valley Park. Currently, hundreds of vehicles per day drive through the stream that intersects the park road, negatively impacting the water quality. The construction of a culvert will reduce water pollution, provide a safe crossing to the rear of the park, and allow the construction of new paths throughout the park. Additionally, the project greatly expands walking and exercise opportunities, especially for the veterans who live at Valley Brook Village, the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing apartments on the Lyons VA campus next to the park.

"I was pleased to secure more than $1.8 million in federal funding to support this critical project in Bernards Township," said Congressman Kean. "Pleasant Valley Park is a place where the community, including families and visitors from the VA Lyons campus, can come together to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, frequent roadway flooding can make the park inaccessible. These funds will help ensure Pleasant Valley Park remains safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone."

"It was great to welcome Congressman Tom Kean Jr. for an onsite tour of our $1.84 million Community Funding Project, including the culvert at Pleasant Valley Park and the new pathways that will provide connectivity to the park and existing trails," said Bernards Township Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy. "We are pleased and appreciative of the Congressman's advocacy as the project advances for consideration for FY2027 funding."

"Pleasant Valley Park is truly a gem of Bernards Township, busy year-round with sports teams, youth and adult recreation, concerts and Plays in the Park, and even the ski club's departures," said Bernards Township Committeewoman Jennifer Asay. "This project will protect the stream that runs through it, provide a safe crossing to the rear of the park, and add new walking paths for residents including our veteran neighbors next door at Valley Brook Village."

"We couldn't be more grateful for Congressman Kean's support for this important project here in Bernards Township," said Bernards Township Committeeman Andrew McNally. "Congressman Kean has consistently secured federal support for our residents here in Bernards as our voice in Washington."

In August, Congressman Kean delivered $835,000 to Bernards Township through FY2026 Community Project Funding to upgrade the Police Department's current radios, which can only operate on one frequency. This federal funding will be used to purchase 89 tri-band radios that cover multiple frequencies, streamlining coordination and strengthening emergency response. Learn moreHERE.

In July, Congressman Kean announced that 18 Community Project Funding requests made by his office totaling $17,765,906, are included in key House funding bills for the upcoming fiscal year. Learn more HERE.

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