New Space to Play at Cattus Island

Posted: November 24, 2025

With ceremonial scissors in hand, Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace, Chairman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation, was joined with Ocean County Commissioner Jennifier Bacchione, Ocean County Commissioner Virginia E. Haines, Ocean County Administrator Michael J. Fiure, Mary Jane Bavais, Director of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation and staff during a ribbon cutting on Nov. 24 for the new playground at Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River.

The new playground is designed to be inclusive and accessible for children of all abilities. It features ADA-accessible walkways, rubber surfacing, and ground-level play elements. A standout feature is the slide tower, which includes monochromatic panels that reflect sunlight onto the rubber surfacing, creating a sensory-rich experience. It is also the only playground in the County’s system to include a dedicated sand play area.

Ocean County secured funding for the playground through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), signed into law in March of 2021 to aid the nation’s recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic. ARPA funds have been used across Ocean County to support economic growth and improve public spaces, making them more inclusive, more accessible and more enjoyable for everyone. The cost of the new facility at Cattus Island County Park was $786,698.

The playground was designed by Kompan Inc. and installed by Turf Trek.

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation has been upgrading facilities across the County, with new playgrounds at Patriots County Park in Jackson Township, Freedom Field County Park in Little Egg Harbor, Beaver Dam Creek County Park in Point Pleasant, Tip Seaman County Park in Tuckerton, Lake Shenandoah County Park and Ocean County Park in Lakewood Township, Mill Creek County Park in Berkeley Township and Eno’s Pond County Park in Lacey Township. In addition, a brand new playground is planned for the newly acquired Matthews Mckinley Park in Lakewood.