UPDATE: The Toms River Field of Dreams is Coming
The Toms River Field of Dreams is definitely a work in progress.
It has been a few years since we first learned about Christian Kane and the special needs sports complex that he is building in Toms River. A lot goes into trying to build something like this, but it is happening. It is!
I met up with Christian at the field today on North Bay Ave in Toms River so we can give an update of the progress. The RWJ Barnabas Field of Dreams at the Ocean Orthopedic Complex will be here this summer
Check it out:
The Toms River Field of Dreams Mission
Please visit GoFundMe.com/TRFOD to help donate and spread the word about #TRFOD
Who We Are: The Toms River Field of Dreams (TRFOD) is a project with a mission to encourage and engage our communities (Monmouth and Ocean Counties), with a focus on those with special needs, in physical and social activity by building a community complex to provide opportunities for all individuals of all ages all abilities to engage, explore and socialize together.
What We Are Doing: The TRFOD is revitalizing a 3-acre parcel of Bey Lea Park (North Bay Avenue) with a plan that is designed to benefit individuals of all ages, abilities and needs.
After a careful search, the site for the TRFOD was chosen at Bey Lea Park due to its central location within Toms River, accessibility to the Garden State Parkway and the long-term commitment from the Township of Toms River. Upon completion of the complex, The TRFOD will feature a walking path along which will be rehabilitative stations, a temperature-controlled pavilion, complimentary snack shack, courts for basketball, bocce and shuffleboard, a state of the art all-inclusive playground, quiet corner, baseball field, and rehabilitative fitness stations. The complex is open to all residents of surrounding towns and counties.
The TRFOD will provide engaging inter-active areas, events for music and art appreciation, organized leagues for special needs baseball and basketball, as well as quiet spaces for observation, reflection, and reorganizing. After the completion of the complex, our hope is to increase awareness of our special needs community and provide an inclusive environment in which all can play and interact together.
Toms River and its surrounding communities will also benefit from being the only area in New Jersey with a complex specifically developed for special needs individuals. It will serve as a sustainable landmark and a significant accomplishment for the town. As an open, public space, the TRFOD will be an inclusive environment for the entire community to enjoy all year round.