TOMS RIVER, NJ — ONE New shirt father’s dream of building a sports complex for people with special needs has finally come true.
The Toms River Field of Dreams, designed to cater to people of all ages and abilities, officially opened to the public on Saturday, CBS2’s Meg Baker reported.
From the playground to the basketball court, it is fully wheelchair accessible. It’s an entertainment facility unlike anything else in America
“You have a one-third-mile walking path with works by local artists, a nine-hole miniature golf course, an eight-bath snack shack, but two of them need room special showers with electric changing tables. So if someone has a problem, they don’t have to leave,” said Christian Kane.
This five-year project to transform the land was made possible by the town government, donors, and Kane’s dream for his son and others.
In 2012, Kane’s car was hit from behind by a truck. His son, Gavin, just 19 months old, suffered a traumatic brain injury.
“Every day he gets better. Our hope is that he will obviously go on, go to college and have a life that has somewhat taken away from him. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up. It just means you have to find another way to achieve your goal,” says Kane.
Kane said it still needs $300,000 to cover final costs.
The complex offers people with autism and developmental disabilities the opportunity to be active and have fun.
Cara Graham, from Graham Behavior Services, said: “It’s just a safe space for our individuals to come and have a good time.
Ashley Kemmerer, from Graham Behavior Services, said: “We can all play and have fun together in this one space. Things don’t have to be separate.”
Donor RWJBarnabas Health says it’s all about serving an underserved community.
“We are all about building healthier and healthier communities, and really making a social impact,” said Justin Edelman, SVP of the sponsoring organization RWJBarnabas Health.
Kane hopes the Field of Dreams becomes a destination for special needs families with loved ones.
“You don’t have to worry about being stared at. You don’t have to worry about whether it’s accessible or not,” Kane said.
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