The Toms River Field of Dreams is the passion of residents Christian and Mary Kane, which would benefit those like their six-year-old son Gavin and other special needs children in town.
Their son Gavin suffered serious injuries in a car accident nearly five years ago as dad Christian pulled into the entrance of Toms River High School North where he teaches. The (then) 19-month old spent two months hospitalized and suffered severe brain trauma.
With that, Christian set out to build a park for kids like Gavin and dubbed it, the “Field of Dreams”. The park will require an estimated $1.2 million in private funding to build, but must first get approvals from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program for a change in use from open space to a playground facility.
Once built, according to Kane, the playground would include a special needs baseball field, playground, basketball court, miniature golf course, pavilion and snack area. It will also be used for YMCA programs and home to the Frazier Special Needs Baseball Program with the full endorsement of White Sox slugger Todd Frazier.
To learn more about the Field of Dreams, visit their website at: http://tomsriverfieldofdreams.com/
The township issued the following public notice:
TAKE NOTICE that TOMS RIVER TOWNSHIP is proposing to change the
purpose or use of approximately 3.4 acres of Bey Lea Park [1505 North
Bay Ave.; Block 573, Lots 1,3,4] from Vacant Open Space to a Special
Needs Children’s Playground.
FIELD OF DREAMS – SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN’S PARK
PURSUANT TO N.J.A.C. 7:36-25.6(a)(1) a hearing to obtain public comment on this proposed change of purpose or use will be held at the following date, time, and location:
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 2018
TIME: 6:00 pm
LOCATION: Township of Toms River Municipal Building L. Manuel Hirshblond Meeting Room 33 Washington Street Toms River, New Jersey 08753
ALL INFORMATION regarding the proposed change in purpose or use is
available for public inspection at the Office of the Municipal Clerk.
WRITTEN COMMENTS on the proposed change in purpose or use may be
directed to the Toms River Municipal Clerk at 732-341-1000 or in writing
addressed to 33 Washington Street, Toms River, New Jersey, 08753.
Please send a copy of any comments submitted on this request to the New
Jersey Department of Environmenal Protection, Green Acres Program,
Bureau of Legal Services and Stewardship, Mail Code 501-01, 501 East
State Street, PO Box 420, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0420.
PUBLIC COMMENT on this proposed change in purpose or use will be
accepted during the public hearing or until March 1, 2018. On or after 90
days from the date of the public hearing, the Township of Toms River may
take formal action to approve the proposed change in purpose or use