Toms River Field Of Dreams Wins $25K Lowe's Grant

TOMS RIVER, NJ — Another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place for the Toms River Field of Dreams: It was selected by Lowe's as one of 100 projects around the country to receive grant funding.

The $25,000 grant will be used for the Toms River Community Garden at the Field of Dreams, the recreation facility designed to accommodate those with special needs under construction on North Bay Avenue.

The community garden will allow people of all abilities to come together and participate in growing produce that will be donated to a local food bank, said Christian Kane, founder of the Toms River Field of Dreams.

The garden is just one element of the facility that will include a walking path with 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, and a baseball field. The complex is open to all residents of surrounding towns and counties.

The plan also includes interactive areas, events for music and art appreciation, and organized leagues for special needs baseball and basketball.

"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," said Kane, who founded the project with his wife, Mary, after their son, Gavin, was severely injured in a motor vehicle crash when Gavin was just over a year old. Gavin uses a wheelchair and needs significant care.

"The $25,000 Lowe’s grant will assist in the development, construction and supplies of our Community Garden for years to come," Kane said.

Lowe's is funding projects in 36 states as part of its 100 Hometowns project; there were more than 2,200 submissions. The program is part of Lowe's celebration of its 100 years in business, the company said.

"We are inspired by the nationwide response to 100 Hometowns, which brought people from all across the country to share with us their remarkable stories and hope for how their community might be made a little better," said Marvin R. Ellison, Lowe's chairman and CEO.

The work right now is primarily on the infrastructure of the entire complex. Some of the utilities are installed. Kane said the largest obstacle has been delays in delivery of materials.

The goal is to have the facility completed by late fall 2021.

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