Seaside Heights Planning New ‘Reflection Park’ Off Hancock Avenue

Examples of features that may be included in the future ‘Reflection Park’ in Seaside Heights. (File)

Seaside Heights officials are in the early stages of planning a new park aimed at creating a quiet, open space for visitors to enjoy with plant life, winding paths and coastal-themed art.

“Reflection Park,” as it is known in the planning stage, would be located along Hancock Avenue, between Bay Boulevard and Barnegat Avenue. The parcel of land on which the park would be built is now a fenced-off vacant lot. The borough’s basketball and tennis courts are located to the north.

“This project is in the very early planning phases,” said Borough Planner Jennifer Gorini, asking residents to participate in a survey to suggest what should be included in the park if it were to be built. The survey is located here. The borough has also placed diagrams on its own website, some of which have been incorporated into this article. The full document can be seen here.

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The location of a future ‘Reflection Park’ in Seaside Heights. (Planning Document)

Some of the ideas floated for the park include a reflection garden – an intimate space surrounded by native plants to offer an immersive experience; a sculpture garden to enhance the character of the park; a winding walking path amongst the plants; a sensory garden with moving water features; plus a granite path or elevated walkway. Some other ideas have included artfully-designed shade structures, small play elements for children made with natural materials, an open-air outdoor event space with a wooden stage and bench seating, and a small splash pad area for children.

Gorini said the borough is in the process of preparing a request for state Green Acres funding to build the park, spurring the outreach campaign to residents to see which features should be placed in the application. Responses to the survey are due Jan. 18, 2026.

Grant Avenue and Bay Boulevard. (Planning Document)

“After gathering public feedback, we will develop a Concept Plan to submit to the Green Acres program for a park development grant,” said Gorini, adding that the borough council will have a discussion on plans for the park at its Feb. 4 meeting where additional public input will be accepted. The application is due to be submitted to the state Feb. 27, 2026.