AVALON – The borough was awarded an $84,000 grant from the New Jersey Local Recreation Improvement Grant program for the creation of the borough’s first-ever fitness trail designed for seniors and individuals with physical limitations.
The trail will be adjacent to Avalon’s recreation fields along Ocean Drive near Eighth Street. The design of the trail was by CME Engineering, and the application made by the Avalon Department of Administration.
“We are grateful for the positive response to the creation of this fitness trail, which will provide a safe walking path and socialized, fitness opportunities for individuals who live in our community,” said Mayor John McCorristin.
The fitness trail will include the completion of a walking path adjacent to the recreation fields. The borough intends to install a few fitness stations for seniors and individuals with physical limitations to begin the trail. During future budget years, additional fitness stations will be installed. Benches will be added to the trail to compliment its social aspect.
The borough intends to pursue additional grant funding for a new playground at Grace O’Brien Park at the northern limit of the fitness trail. The new playground will include handicapped-accessible equipment.
The borough secured a previous grant from this program that resulted in the conversion of tennis courts at the Eighth Street Recreational complex to pickleball courts, along with the construction of new tennis courts.
Avalon is now in the process of making safety and aesthetic improvements to the 39th Street tennis facility. This month the borough completed the total refurbishment of bocce courts at the 39th Street complex.
