June 25, 2021, Patch: Toms River Field Of Dreams Gets $400K From NJ Construction of the special needs recreation facility suffered fundraising setbacks from the pandemic. Now the project is back on track. https://patch.com/new-jersey/tomsriver/toms-river-field-dreams-gets-400k-nj
(Where one in every 14 children/one in every 8 boys has autism.)
TOMS RIVER, NJ — Construction is underway at the Toms River Field of Dreams site, and on Friday, the organization got confirmation that the final financial piece needed was in place, when the state Legislature approved the $46.4 billion budget that includes $400,000 for the special needs recreational facility.
Construction of the facility was supposed to start in March 2020 on the RWJ Barnabas Health Toms River Field of Dreams, but the coronavirus pandemic disrupted those plans….
In February, Toms River officials reached out to Gov. Phil Murphy's office to seek support for the project, which will create a facility that allows those with special needs to participate in sports and other activities. Murphy put $400,000 in his proposed budget, and Murphy and the state Legislature finalized that promise on Friday….
The Field of Dreams is four years in the making. Kane set out in May 2017 to create a place where his son, Gavin, and other children with special needs could have fun. Initial plans were modest: a baseball field that was accessible for wheelchairs for two-inning games. A snack stand. A playground and some miniature golf….
"Our hope is to increase awareness of our special needs community and provide an inclusive environment in which all can play and interact together," the Field of Dreams website says.
