From seesaws and swings, to a climbing soccer ball and a rope tower slide, Ocean County hit the ball out of the park with upgrades to the playground located at Patriots County Park.

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, Jackson Township officials, and Mary Jane Bavais, Director of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation during a ribbon cutting ceremony on Aug. 18 for the new playground at Patriots County Park, 485 Bowman Road, here.

"What we have been doing with these park upgrades is that we have been looking to create an atmosphere for kids of all backgrounds, ages and disabilities to be able to come and have fun together and feel like one unified group of kids in the community," said Arace. "It is a place where kids and grandparents can come and ultimately use this facility together to enjoy the outdoors because we try to ensure that we take care of seniors as equally as we do our kids."

With a unique sports theme, designed exclusively for Patriots County Park, the new playground space was created with not only kids in mind, but also introduces a state-of-the-art workout area for families of all abilities. Having both a playground and workout station allows everyone to participate in healthy, active fun.

"I think one of the things about Ocean County that all the Commissioners believe in is growing the County and making it for the people," said Bacchione. "This is one of the examples of giving back to the community so that we can all enjoy it."

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 for the new facility at Patriots County Park was $975,000.

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

The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation has been upgrading facilities across the County, with new playgrounds at 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 in Lakewood, Mill Creek County Park in Berkeley Township and Eno's Pond County Park in Lacey Township. In addition, there are still upgrades in progress at Ocean County Park in Lakewood, and Cattus Island County Park in Toms River and a brand new playground is planned for the newly acquired Matthews Mckinley Park in Lakewood.

"The staff in the Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department does a tremendous job maintaining the 4,000 acre park system operated by the County," said Arace. "Mary Jane and her team continues to make Ocean County a better place for both residents and visitors, and we thank them for all that they do."