Facelift in Store for Toms River Park

Historic Huddy Park in downtown Toms River is in for a facelift.

Mayor Tom Kelaher says bond income earmarked for capital improvements will pay for about $1 million worth of work, including bulkhead replacement and landscaping upgrades.  But that's not all.

"We're going to reconstruct a replica of the Toms River Blockhouse, which goes back to the day the British attacked Toms River," Kelaher said.

That Revolutionary War Battle took place in 1782 and almost derailed the peace process.  Kelaher says another new addition will commemorate that fight.

"On the benches throughout Huddy Park, we're going to have the names of nine of the patriots from Toms River who were killed in the battle with the British," Kelaher said.

Three students from Toms River High School North contributed to the design for the improvements to the park.  Work is expected to begin this fall and take about a year.  The plan is to have the project completed in time for the township's 250th Anniversary Celebration in 2017.