TOMS RIVER — The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation has received two statewide honors recognizing its work in accessibility, historic preservation and public outreach.
The awards were presented during the 2026 Awards Program hosted by the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association. Parks Department staff accepted the honors alongside Ocean County Commissioner Robert S. Arace, the board’s liaison to the department, and Commissioner Deputy Director Jennifier Bacchione.
The association’s annual program recognizes leaders, workers and volunteers in parks and recreation across New Jersey, with awards focused on programming, facility design, innovation and public service.
Ocean County earned the Excellence in Playground Design Award for the Inclusive Playground at Eno’s Pond County Park in Lacey Township. The department also received the Gregory A. Marshall Parks and Historic Resources Award for its care and preservation of the Cedar Bridge Tavern Historic Site in Barnegat Township.
“These awards highlight the incredible work our Ocean County Parks Department does every day to serve our residents and preserve the places that make our county special,” Arace said. “Whether it’s creating inclusive spaces where every child can play or protecting historic sites like Cedar Bridge Tavern, our parks continue to enhance quality of life and connect our community to both nature and history.”
Officials said the Eno’s Pond playground was funded through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Jake’s Law grant program, which supports playgrounds designed to go beyond Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The site includes a pour-in-place rubber surface, sensory play features, accessible swings for a child and caregiver, a slide and other equipment aimed at serving children with mobility challenges and other disabilities.
The Gregory A. Marshall award recognizes efforts to safeguard natural and historic resources through stewardship, education and preservation.
Cedar Bridge Tavern Historic Site, which dates to about 1816, stands near the location of the Affair at Cedar Bridge, considered one of the final clashes of the American Revolutionary War. County officials said the site offers visitors a look at early life in the Pine Barrens while serving as both an educational and cultural destination.
The Ocean County Board of Commissioners praised parks staff for their creativity, dedication and continued work to maintain spaces that are safe, accessible and informative for the public.
More information is available at oceancountyparks.org.
