STAFFORD – At long last, Manahawkin Lake will be open for swimming on Friday, June 19.
The park, located at A. Paul King County Park on West Bay Avenue, will have some new amenities to show off as well.
“Not only will visitors be able to enjoy swimming but they can access the many new amenities that were constructed late last year,” said Ocean County Freeholder Virginia E. Haines, Chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “The improvements we made to this site make it more accessible for everyone using it as we modernized some of the facilities that are located there.”
There are new restrooms, a new picnic pavilion for up to 100 people, a new grill, new sidewalks, and upgrades to make the park compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
“This is the kind of park that can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages and now the new picnic pavilion adds an opportunity for hosting family gatherings or simply an area to read a book out of the sun,” Haines said. “I think the public will be pleased once they return to the park.”
Haines stressed however that social distancing rules will be in place when visitors come to the park.
“We will have social distancing ambassadors helping out where they can,” she said. “While we want everyone to enjoy our parks, we want everyone to be mindful of the health and safety of everyone.”
The swimming beach was open last summer, but the picnic area and restrooms had been closed for renovations. However, the amount of time for the project was cut down because the restrooms were precast and were delivered in the same way that a modular home would be.
“This moved the project along quicker and we were not fighting the weather or the elements since the amount of time was shortened,” Haines said.
A. Paul King County Park is one of 27 parks funded and operated by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
“Making certain our park facilities are well maintained is a priority for the Board,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari “We look forward to visitors enjoying the beach and all of the amenities at A. Paul King County Park.”
