Spring sports season is upon us, and that means parents are shelling out the big bucks for new baseball mitts, bats, lacrosse sticks, tennis rackets, etc. But you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to afford all that equipment — just do some of your shopping at Green Sports NJ in downtown Cranford!

Green Sports NJ sells new and gently used sporting goods as well as new apparel for up to 75 percent off retail prices. Baseball, softball, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, tennis, golf . . . it’s all represented with a wide array of equipment in the shop. The inventory changes daily and is donated by local companies and individuals. Green Sports NJ will only sell merchandise that is in sellable condition; any donations they receive that are not in sellable condition get donated to charitable organizations.

Green Sports NJ itself is nonprofit, created by the Arc of Union County to train and employ individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in every aspect of the retail business. The goal is to provide these individuals with the skills they need to obtain other jobs in the community as well. Any used product that you purchase at Green Sports NJ was thoroughly cleaned and refurbished (using eco-friendly products) by employees with disabilities.

If you have any questions about the equipment your kids need this spring, manager Jim Wallace is in the shop every day it’s open to provide you with guidance. Jim, who started working at Green Sports NJ this past August, is a retired Special Education teacher who played and coached sports his whole life. “Working here has been the perfect marriage of my interests,” he says.

Green Sports NJ is located at 100 North Union Ave in Cranford.

The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm. Visit their website to learn how you can donate gently used equipment, or learn about volunteer opportunities: www.greensportsnj.com.