Brick Mayor Receives Award Honoring Recreation Upgrades

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Brick Township Mayor John G. Ducey received the Public Service Award at the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association annual awards dinner in early March, honoring the mayor for the township's work to improve recreation in the town.

"With a population of over 75,000 residents, the Township of Brick is the 13th most populous municipality in the state of New Jersey. Understanding the positive impact that great recreation programs and events, as well as safe, modern parks and recreational facilities have on the quality of life of its residents, Mayor John Ducey made improving the recreational facilities in town a priority upon his election in 2014," a news release from the association said.

Brick has renovated five neighborhood parks, constructed new playgrounds in the town’s largest park, and made improvements to the SummerFest Concert series and added Brick’s FallFest.

The organization also cited the renovation of the Forge Pond tennis courts, the construction of five pickle ball courts, the creation of the town’s first dog park and the upgrade of the Early Childhood Center, where the recreation department’s preschool program takes place.

The association's news release also highlighted the youth committee and the creation of Lounge 270, the teen center at Brick's Civic Plaza that serving youth from 13-18 years of age.

"Mayor Ducey’s leadership and foresight has resulted in a significantly improved recreation department and facilities over the past four years," the news release said.

The New Jersey Recreation and Park Association is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting parks and recreation; enhancing the professional development of its members; advocating sound policy and stewardship related to parks, recreation, resource management, and leisure services; and increasing awareness of the value of play and preservation of the environment to interested citizens and the public.

The purpose of the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association’s awards program is to honor and identify dedicated leaders, employees, and volunteers in the field of Parks and Recreation, and to recognize the state’s outstanding Recreation and Park agencies for excellence in programming, publicity and facility design. The goal of the Awards Program is to focus State attention on the achievement of Park and Recreation agencies, to recognize the continuing efforts of staff and volunteers, and to acknowledge support extended by member agencies.

Photo provided by the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association