Following the interruptions caused by the epidemic, the Parks and Recreation Department of Toms River, New Jersey, is getting ready for a busy summer with a variety of events and programs planned. Director Rick Perrine outlined the department’s extensive duties, which include overseeing more than 20 parks, maintaining more than 100 public areas, and maintaining public facilities including the Snug Harbor municipal pool and the Bey Lea Golf Course. With a focus on post-COVID healing and a focus on growing community events and activities, the department plans to open beaches, pools, and day camps as summer draws near.
A range of leisure activities, such as outdoor movie nights, concerts, fishing derbies, and STEM programs for children, including a class on crime scene investigation, are returning to Toms River this year. According to Perrine, the department now plans 30 events instead of none two years ago, indicating a huge rise in programming. The department updated its webpage and uses social media to enhance communication.
With the prospect of further expansion and improvement in the department’s offerings, Perrine urged community involvement as the season got underway, pointing out that many of the present activities were the result of staff proposals.
Director Rick Perrine, who is in charge of Recreation, Parks, Buildings, and Grounds throughout the township, says the Toms River Parks and Recreation Department is preparing for a busy season of activities and programs as summer approaches.
In an interview with local presenter Jeff Dingsor on Talking Toms River, Perrine described the department’s diverse duties and emphasized a significant recovery in park maintenance, public events, and activities after years of pandemic-related setbacks.
Perrine remarked, “We’re busy all year long, especially now heading into summer.” By Memorial Day weekend, the beaches had to be open. The swimming pool is open. Day camps are about to begin. This has been planned since the fall.
In addition to more than 100 other locations, including public right-of-ways, easements, and traffic medians, the department also manages over 20 parks with playgrounds and playing fields. Along with these responsibilities, Perrine’s crew is in charge of the township-owned Bey Lea Golf Course, the Winding River Ice Rink, Shelter Cove beach, Ortley Beach lifeguards, and the Snug Harbor municipal pool.
Expanded programming and community events are a result of the COVID-19 rehabilitation.
Recovering from COVID-era inactivity is still a top priority, according to Perrine, who joined the township last year after serving as a recreation leader in East Brunswick and Metuchen.
We didn’t do any events two years ago. We’re celebrating our 30th this year,” he stated. Our goal is to spread the news that recreation is once again available and active.
This summer’s events include beach clean-ups, fishing derbies, outdoor movie nights, family concerts, and STEM-focused children’s programs, such as a course on crime scene investigation taught by former law enforcement officers. While class-based programs charge small fees to cover costs, the majority of activities are free.
Every Tuesday, starting at 7 p.m., Shelter Cove will feature a variety of events, including live music performances for adults, outdoor films, and children’s concerts. Thanks to new LED displays that enable earlier showtimes, movies will also be shown at a number of local parks.
Growing online visibility and community involvement
The department recently unveiled a revamped recreation section on the township’s official website, tomsrivertownship.com, with subpages for beaches, parks, the golf course, and the ice rink, along with event listings and registration links, in an effort to increase accessibility and communication.
People kept asking, “Where’s the information?” so we made all these subpages. Perrine clarified. Additionally, we post fliers and weekly updates on the township’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Operating at about 90% capacity and acting as the home course for nearby high school teams, the department’s public Bey Lea Golf Course in the township is also seeing considerable utilization.
Perrine urged citizens to take advantage of the range of activities available and submit their own suggestions when the season gets underway. Bring me ideas, I tell my employees. “A lot of what we’re doing now was inspired by staff members,” he said. We are not slowing down; we are building.
