New Kids Play Area At Ocean County Mall To Be Christened

TOMS RIVER, NJ — As Ocean County Mall continues to undergo changes externally with new restaurants and offerings replacing the closed Sears, there are changes inside as well.

A new play area for children has been created and will be christened with a ribbon-cutting on Saturday, April 6, mall officials announced. The grand opening ceremony begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. with prizes, face painting, balloon animals, a magic show and a special goodie bag for the first 100 attendees.

The play area, titled "PLAY," is an interactive state-of-the-art area sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health. It has a forest theme and includes developmental activities including a Stomp Light Tower, interactive play panels and a stone bridge.

"The new children’s play area is evidence of our continued commitment to remaining a dynamic and interactive family-friendly destination in the community," said Erin Barbato, director of marketing and business development for the mall.

While kids play, parents and caregivers can sit and observe, charge mobile devices and a more open concept floor plan allows strollers to stay by the caregiver’s side while watching or participating in play.

The play area is just one of several changes coming to the mall. A BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse is under construction at the front corner of the mall on Hooper Avenue, and the Toms River Planning Board approved plans in October to demolish the Sears. In its place will be a new restaurant area, which Simon dubbed a "lifestyle center," NJ.com reported. It will be attached to the mall, while the new retail section will be a separate strip of store shells ranging in size from 2,335 to 34,000 square feet. A fitness facility was among the potential options Simon hopes to attract to the mall, the company said last April when Sears closed. Read more: Ocean County Mall Owner Has Big Plans For Closed Sears

Parking at that end of the mall will be reconfigured as well.

Simon has posted on its website that the renovations under way also will include a new entrance, but the company has not yet said what tenants will fill the new spaces.

The renovations and redevelopment are expected to be complete in 2020.

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