Toms River Field Of Dreams Hearing

TOMS RIVER, NJ — The proposal to turn part of Bey Lea Park into the Field of Dreams playground for special needs children will be the subject of a Green Acres hearing this week.

Toms River officials announced the hearing to gather public comment on the proposal last month. Public comment is necessary before the 3.4 acres proposed for the Field of Dreams can be converted from vacant open space to the playground, because the property originally was purchased in part using state Green Acres funding.

The Field of Dreams playground is the brainchild of Christian Kane, a Toms River man whose son, Gavin, was severely injured in a car accident in 2012. It has garnered support from all over the township.

The Green Acres hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 15, in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Meeting Room at the Toms River Municipal Building, 33 Washington St.

Those unable to attend can submit written comments on the proposed change in purpose to township Clerk Alison Carlisle addressed to 33 Washington Street, Toms River, New Jersey, 08753. A copy of written comments also should be sent 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.

Comments will be accepted 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.

Bey Lea Park in Toms River, via Google Maps