STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – Manahawkin Lake, the popular swimming spot at A. Paul King County Park on West Bay Avenue, here, will be open for swimming starting Friday, June 19.

“I am happy to announce that we will be opening the lake for swimming this week,” said Ocean County Freeholder Virginia E. Haines, Chairwoman of the Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation. “Not only will visitors be able to enjoy swimming but they can access the many new amenities that were constructed late last year.

“The improvements we made to this site make it more accessible for everyone using it as we modernized some of the facilities that are located there,” she said.

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 once they return to the park.”

Haines stressed however that social distancing rules will be in place when visitors come to the park.

“We will have social distancing ambassadors helping out where they can,” she said. “While we want everyone to enjoy our parks, we want everyone to be mindful of the health and safety of everyone.”

While the swimming beach was open to the public throughout last 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.

Haines noted the new bathroom facilities are precast and were delivered similarly to modular home sections.

“This moved the project along quicker and we were not fighting the weather or the elements since the amount of time was 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,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari “We look forward to visitors enjoying the beach and all of the amenities at A. Paul King County Park.”