def #148 06/25/08

COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT OFFERS UP FREE REC PROGRAMS

TOMS RIVER – Every Thursday afternoon throughout the summer, youngsters of all ages gather at the Beach Complex at Ocean County Park, Lakewood, to participate in the Lakeside Children’s Theater.

For 60 minutes the children are engaged in a world of make believe as actors and actresses perform plays like Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin while the audience is encouraged to sing along and become part of the show.

Meanwhile, the Ocean County Carousel of Music takes residents and visitors alike into the magical world of music with shows featuring a host of performers, from rock to jazz, from classical to Broadway show tunes, scheduled at various venues throughout the county.

The Carousel of Music, the Lakeside Children’s Theater series and dozens of other activities are all offered to residents and visitors alike by Ocean County’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

“We have some of the most beautiful county park facilities in the state right here in Ocean County,” said Freeholder John C. Bartlett Jr., who serves as liaison to Ocean County’s Department of Parks and Recreation. “In addition to these parks and golf courses however we have some of the best recreation programs and we encourage all of our residents to take part in them.”

Mary Jane Bavais Mehorter, Ocean County’s Superintendent of Recreation, during a preboard meeting of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, highlighted a number of programs being offered this summer by the parks department, many of which are free.

“From nature walks to bird watching, from nature boat tours to canoeing programs and from golf lessons to beach parties, the parks department hosts numerous programs throughout the summer and the year,” Mehorter said.

Bartlett noted that over the years recreation programs have evolved and expanded to meet the needs of the county’s growing population.

“They have certainly grown in popularity,” Bartlett said. “Thousands of our residents come out annually and enjoy the boat tours, the music programs, the sports programs.”

Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari, who serves as liaison to tourism, noted that the recreation programs are great for visitors and tourists who want to do something fun for either free or a very reasonable cost.

“This year, in particular, with rising gas prices and people opting to stay closer to home we want to take the opportunity to highlight all the great things we have to offer,” Vicari said. “These programs give our residents and visitors the opportunity to see and learn about parts of Ocean County they may not otherwise have a chance to.

“There is nothing like a boat ride on the Barnegat Bay, seeing egrets and blue heron in the summer months or seining. These are great activities that help make summertime fun and can really enchance a vacation at the shore,” he said.

Mehorter noted that in 2007, the Lakeside Children’s Theater drew 2,700 attendees over the course of the summer, while 18,350 people enjoyed the Carousel of Music during the summer months.

She said that 457 people participated in the boat tours and 8,500 visitors and residents enjoyed a day at Ocean County Park, participating in the Funtasia Festival for Kids.

“We provide something for all age categories,” she said. “We even include the family pet dog in some of our activities.”

Mehorter noted that anyone interested in learning more about Ocean County Park and Recreation programs can visit its website at www.oceancountyparks.org. In addition, all the programs and associated information can be found in the Ocean County Parks, Recreation and Natural Lands Trust Newsletter, which is available online or it can be mailed to residents who request it by calling the park’s department at 732-506-9090.

The newsletter also is available at the county’s golf courses in Brick and Little Egg Harbor townships, the County Connection at the Ocean county Mall in Toms River, Ocean County Library branches and several county park locations.

“We like to call this our “here at home” vacation. These programs provide fun for families and friends,” Mehorter said. “We have so many great things to offer, for our residents they can consider this a mini-vacation, for visitors they can make this a part of their vacation.”


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