Situated on Manahawkin Lake, the popular A. Paul King County Park on West Bay Avenue, here, is getting some needed improvements that will result in a better recreational experience for the public.
“This is a great little park in the southern part of Ocean County that offers a swimming beach in the warm weather,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Virginia E. Haines, Chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “The improvements we are making to this site will make it more accessible for everyone using it and will modernize some of the facilities that are located there.”
When the work is completed, visitors will find new restrooms, a new picnic pavilion that can accommodate up to 100 people, a new grill along with new sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades including parking spaces and bathroom entrance ramps.
“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 with the improvements we are making.”
Work on the new facilities and amenities is expected to be completed in the Fall.
While the swimming beach was open to the public throughout the summer, the park’s picnic area and the stationary bathroom facilities had been closed as renovations were under way.
“We always appreciate the public’s patience as we work to improve our park facilities,” Haines said.
The prime contractor for the improvements is Axios Inc., Northfield and the building manufacturer is CXT Precast Products from Hillsboro, Texas. Maser Consulting, Red Bank, is the design engineer.
Haines noted the new bathroom facilities are precast and were delivered similarly to modular home sections.
“This moves the project along quicker and we are not fighting the weather or the elements since the amount of time is 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,” Haines said. “We look forward to the completion of the work at A. Paul King County Park.”
Caption information:
With the installation of new bathroom facilities and picnic pavilion nearing completed at A. Paul King County Park, Manahawkin, Ocean County Freeholder Director Virginia E. Haines, who serves as Chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation, looks over the park upgrade plans with Michael Mangum, Director of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation and Parks Department Recreation Supervisor Joseph A. Pirozek. The work is expected to be completed in the Fall.