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Monday 8:30am - 4:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Stafford Recreation

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Stafford Recreation

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Stafford Recreation, Government Organization, 260 Bay Avenue, Manahawkin, NJ.

06/01/2026

Stafford Township Founders Day Saturday June 13th !

Wristbands have arrived!!

Please review ride list and height requirements before purchase!
Pre-sale will be Thursday June 4th ONLY from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Bay Avenue Community Center, 775 East Bay Avenue, Manahawkin.

CASH or CHECK payable to Stafford Recreation are the ONLY forms of payment accepted. Please plan ahead.
Wristbands will be 2 for $30.00.
Single wristband discount price will be $15.
WRISTBANDS WILL BE $20.00 ON FOUNDERS DAY. No individual ride tickets will be sold.

Rides will be open from 4:00 – 8:45 PM and are unlimited on Saturday June 13th at the Doc Cramer Sports Complex.

Stafford Founders Day Rides at Doc Cramer Height Requirements:
Whirly Bird are 48 inches minimum height
Rock N Roll are 48 inches minimum height.
Swings are 32 inches minimum height
Tubs are 32 inches minimum height
Spin out, are 32 inches minimum height
Kopter ride are 32 inches minimum height
Elephant are 32 inches minimum height
Fun House Obstacle Course 38 inches minimum height
Mega Block Obstacle Course 42 inches minimum height

05/18/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to our third annual senior citizen prom and masquerade ball, Friday was a magical afternoon at the Bay Avenue Community Center! A heartfelt thank you to TomandKelly SilverandGold, Stafford Township Police Department, Caught Ya Lookin' Photobooth LLC, Reynolds Garden Shop & Floral Market and The Garden Club of Long Beach Island for making everything so special, we couldn't do it without you!

05/08/2026

Looking for something fun to do on a rainy afternoon?

Saturday May 9 at the Ocean Acres Community Center...over 100 gift baskets!

05/06/2026

Are you ready for a parade?

On Saturday June 13, 2026 we will gather for a very special Founders Day as we celebrate From Sea to Shining Sea – Stafford Celebrates 250 through the heart of downtown Manahawkin!

We want our parade through our historic town to be bigger and better than ever.

Are you a local business owner, do you have a cool classic car?

Are you a part of one of our many athletic associations, do you belong to a local civic organization, non-profit, car club or just want to get a group together and celebrate?

Well, sign up to be a part of our parade today!

It’s totally free, you can pass out candy or promotions along the route and it’s a blast!

We want all of you there to help us celebrate this decades-long tradition of celebrating the founding of Stafford Township in 1749 and 250 years of America.

Parade applications are available on the Recreation page at https://www.staffordnj.gov/428/Founders-Day or in this post.

Become a part of Stafford history!

04/30/2026

Founders Day sponsorships are still available!

Are you a local business that would like to stake your claim in Stafford Township history?

On Saturday June 13, 2026 we will gather for a very special Founders Day as we celebrate From Sea to Shining Sea – Stafford Celebrates 250!

If you’re a local business looking to get your name out there to thousands of people or just want to give back to our community, this is your opportunity.

It's not too late to get in on the fun. We offer sponsorships on everything from a section of the parade, rides at the park, entertainment or even our famous fireworks!

Sponsors will be mentioned in all social media promotions, recognized at opening ceremonies and on the official Founders Day 2026 banner the day of the event!

June 13 is certain to be a spectacular day to celebrate so many milestones.

The businesses of Stafford Township are the backbone of our community and we want you to be a part of this very special day. It’s sure to be one to remember!

Just click on the link below...
https://www.staffordnj.gov/428/Founders-Day

04/29/2026

Yard Sale weekend is here!!

Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3 from 8:00am to 3:00pm
(rain or shine).

We have over 100 households participating!

Click on the link below for active links of participating homes and plan your treasure hunting.

Each link contains spreadsheets of participants by neighborhood/section of town and even a link to Google Maps.

https://www.staffordnj.gov/409/Town-Wide-Yard-Sale

04/28/2026

We are thrilled to announce our 3rd annual prom for senior citizens!

As part of National Older Americans Month in May we invite our Stafford seniors and active adults to our Masquerade Ball. This elegant afternoon of music, dance and magical moments will take place on Friday May 15th from 2-5 pm at the Bay Avenue Community Center, 775 E. Bay Avenue in Manahawkin.

Dress to impress and join us for light refreshments, mocktails and fabulous entertainment by the duo Silver & Gold. There will be dancing, a photo booth by Caught Ya Lookin' Photobooth LLC, the crowning of our Prom King and Queen, many laughs with friends and a few more special touches by the Recreation staff.

This free event is open to Stafford Township seniors. There will be a limited number of tickets available and they must be picked up in person at the Bay Avenue Community Center between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

04/27/2026

May is National Older Americans Month and the party for seniors starts Friday in Stafford Township!

Have you signed up yet?

Register today, bring a friend and make some new ones! All events are free of charge (with the exception of our trip to Grounds for Sculpture) and open to all.

Our staff and partners have been hard at work planning a month of fun and friendship for our active adults and retirees and those looking to make some new friends and become part of our community.

Here are the fantastic events in the month of May at the Bay Avenue Community Center…you must register by calling Krista Waters at 609-597-1000 ext. 8573.

04/23/2026

May is National Older Americans month and we are just about a week away from kicking off our celebration of our active seniors in Stafford Township!

Our staff and community partners have been hard at work planning a month of fun and friendship for our seniors at the Bay Avenue Community Center and beyond!

• May 1 – 1 PM – Movie Matinee with snacks & sundaes
• May 6 - 10:00 AM – Bingo & Lunch
• May 13 – 9 AM- 3 PM – Bus trip to Grounds for Sculpture
• May 15 from 2-5 pm – Senior Prom – Masquerade Ball
• May 20 at 1 PM – Spring Crafts afternoon with Crafty Katie
• May 27 – 10 AM – Pancake breakfast

Programs take place at the Bay Avenue Community Center, 775 E. Bay Avenue in Manahawkin.

All are free of charge with the exception of the trip to Grounds for Sculpture.

Prom tickets are limited and must be picked up in person at the Bay Avenue Community Center by May 1.

Pre-registration is required for these programs by contacting
Krista Waters at 609-597-1000 ext. 8573.

04/22/2026

As we patiently await the return of sunny days and warmer weather, a sure sign of summer is here, Manahawkin Mondays are back!

Stafford Recreation, in partnership with the Stafford Historical Society, is thrilled to announce our new and exciting lineup for the 2026 Summer Concert Series at Lake Manahawkin pavilion. This is a very exciting year. Not only are we celebrating our nation's 250th birthday but this is a 9 concert summer!

Concerts will be held on Monday evenings at 6:30 pm in July and August.

We begin on Monday July 6 when we kick it off with Verdictisin and run through August 31.

In addition to the concerts, each Monday evening will also feature additional events for all!

Pop Up Markets featuring local produce, artisans, baked goods, Manafirkin, Cream Ridge Winery, a food truck and more will run every Monday beginning at 5 pm, running through the concerts.
*Vendors are subject to change, product availability and weather conditions each week.

Monday July 27 will feature the Stafford Township Green Team’s annual Green Fair beginning at 4:30 pm.

Our final concert on Monday August 31 will also include The Donny Cranmer Memorial Classic Car Show and Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs starting at 4:30 pm and the final Pop Up Market.

So, join us every Monday evening for music by the lake. Bring your blankets or beach chairs, coolers, and family to enjoy an evening of music with the best sunsets in town!

While there is no charge, we kindly request a donation at each concert to the Stafford Township Historical Society to help them continue their mission of the restoration and preservation of the Old Stone Store, Cavalry Cottage, Railroad Station and Cultural Center (a Revolutionary War era church). These donations will help to cover the cost of the concerts as well as preserve our rich local history for generations to come.

View our exciting concert lineup and sponsorship opportunities here...

https://www.staffordnj.gov/430/Summer-Concert-Series

Address

260 Bay Avenue
Manahawkin, NJ
08050

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16095971000

Website

http://twp.stafford.nj.us/departments/recreation/

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