TOMS RIVER, NJ – What began as a vision for an accessible baseball field has grown into a full-scale inclusive recreation complex that now serves thousands of families with special needs — and its co-founder says the project would not have been possible without the support of local leaders and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy who pledged the necessary funding to complete the project.
At a county board meeting on July 2, Christian Kane, co-founder of the Toms River Field of Dreams, thanked commissioners for funding and partnership that have helped expand the site beyond its original scope.
Kane explained that the facility now has more than 3,500 registered members with special needs and welcomed over 10,000 visitors last year.
He credited county-backed grants for enabling new projects, including an aquaponic greenhouse and shaded play areas that keep families engaged longer in the summer heat.
Kane shared that the greenhouse project is staffed by more than 300 special needs adults who plant, grow, and harvest fresh produce before donating it to the People’s Pantry in Toms River. In 2024, they delivered nearly 3,000 pounds of food. “If done correctly, special needs people can actually be productive members of a town, a county, a state,” Kane told commissioners.
He also highlighted the impact of newly installed playground shading, noting that families are able to stay 27% longer during visits, improving participation during peak summer months. Data is still being collected to measure long-term results.
The Field of Dreams officially opened in April 2022, far surpassing its original $250,000 plan. Today, it operates as a hub for inclusive programming with more than 160 days of activities annually. Kane emphasized that families who often felt sidelined now have a place where they can play, interact, and be recognized as part of the wider community.
“Usually, these residents don’t go anywhere,” Kane said. “Now they’re coming back out, working, playing, and interacting. The hugs I get every day are really because of what you’ve done for us.”
—
Key Points
- Toms River Field of Dreams has grown from a planned baseball field into a full inclusive recreation complex
- More than 3,500 registered members with special needs and 10,000 annual visitors use the facility
- County support funded a greenhouse producing food donations and new shaded play areas
What started as one family’s vision has become a thriving model of inclusive recreation drawing thousands each year.