Field of Dreams is a fully inclusive recreation complex in Toms River built so that children of all abilities can play side by side. It features all-inclusive playgrounds, an accessible baseball field, courts, and a designated quiet corner for regrouping. A free membership is required, which helps keep the space oriented toward families who need it. (1511 North Bay Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753) With a little planning, a visit can be a calm, joyful day for an autistic child. Here is a sensory-friendly guide from our BCBA-led team — what to expect, the quietest times to go, and how to prepare.
The best time to visit
Ask the venue about quieter days or low-sensory hours, and aim for Weekday mornings outside of scheduled league events when crowds are thinnest. Confirm hours on the official site before you go.
What to expect
The playground surfaces are smooth and wheelchair-friendly, and the layout includes a calm corner for breaks. As an outdoor venue it can be sunny, open, and occasionally busy during ballgames or events. On ordinary weekday mornings it tends to be peaceful and uncrowded.
A few things your child may enjoy:
- All-inclusive accessible playgrounds
- Wheelchair-accessible baseball field
- Basketball and bocce courts with a quiet corner
How to prepare your child
- Preview it. Look at photos or a map together beforehand so the visit feels predictable (a simple “social story”).
- Use “first–then.” “First we look around, then we get a snack.”
- Pack comfort items — noise-canceling headphones, a favorite fidget, water, and a familiar snack.
- Plan a quiet exit — pick a calm spot for a break if your child gets overwhelmed.
How ABA therapy makes outings like this easier
Community trips are exactly where ABA skills pay off. A Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can help your child practice the very skills a visit to RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams demands — waiting, transitioning between activities, asking for a break, staying close in crowds, and tolerating new sights and sounds. At Autumn ABA, our community-based and natural-environment sessions build these skills in the real settings where they matter. Many Ocean County families work on exactly these goals so days out become something to look forward to. Learn more about our in-home, school, community, and telehealth ABA programs.
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