The list of things at Amanda's Field reads like a league schedule. It has baseball diamonds, a softball complex, an indoor baseball facility and a newly renovated street hockey rink, all on county-owned land along Route 50 in Petersburg that Upper Township manages. The $1.61 million project approved this spring adds mostly the other kind of park. It brings a free outdoor gym, shade structures, picnic areas, water stations, an accessible walkway and a permanent restroom. None of those needs a roster, a permit or a coach.
As of mid-October 2026, part of that is already open, one piece is fenced off until 2027, and the parts of the park that already worked this way are running as usual.
What the $1.61 Million Covers
On April 14, the Cape May County Board of County Commissioners approved a shared services agreement with Upper Township for up to $1,129,576 in Open Space funding, according to the Ocean City Sentinel. That covers roughly 70 percent of the project's estimated $1.61 million cost. A grant and a local township match pay for the rest, and the township handles design, permitting, construction and long-term maintenance.
Here is where each piece stands as of October 12, 2026, based on township and county announcements.
| Element | Status | What's known |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Fitness Court Studio | Open since October 1 | Seven bodyweight stations, free, ages 14 and up |
| Skatepark | Closed for reconstruction | All-concrete rebuild, expected early 2027 |
| ADA concrete walkway | Planned | Will connect the main parts of the site |
| Gathering area | Planned | Shade structures, benches, picnic areas, bike racks, water stations |
| Prefabricated restroom | Planned | Built for year-round use |
| 1.3-mile walking path | Open | Starts near the fitness court and hockey rink |
| 18-hole disc golf course | Open | Free, established 2022 |
The county's release calls the restroom "a long-standing need" at the site and says it will make visits easier for families and organized activities. Leonard C. Desiderio, director of the county commissioners, told the Sentinel the upgrades would make Amanda's Field "a modern, inclusive and multi-use recreational destination." The agreement runs through June 1, 2027, and can be extended for one year if needed.
The Court That Opened October 1
The new Fitness Court Studio is the first piece of the project you can use, and it shows what the rest is aimed at. It's a free outdoor circuit with seven bodyweight stations, built for adults and teens 14 and up at any fitness level. A free Fitness Court app works as an on-your-phone coach. The pad also has room for group classes.
The idea started across the bridge. The Sentinel reported that Committeeman Zach Palombo brought it to the township after seeing a similar court outside Ocean City High School, where both teenagers and adults were using it. Funding came through the National Fitness Campaign and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, plus the county Open Space grant. The campaign's announcement says Upper Township is one of the first 20 partners building a statewide network of these courts. In that announcement, Committeeman Samuel J. Palombo, who oversees sports and recreation, said the court gives residents "accessible opportunities to exercise, stay healthy, and spend time outdoors."
The township's own post about the October 1 ribbon cutting says the full Township Committee attended, along with County Commissioners Barr and Rossenello. Melissa Johnson of M-Fit Gym, the township's Fitness Ambassador, led the group through a workout. The post also gives the court's location, up front by the hockey rink, so a workout can lead straight onto the walking path.
You may notice a barrier around the court. At the September 14 Township Committee meeting, Samuel Palombo said it's temporary and went up to keep dirt bikes from damaging the equipment.
The Skatepark Is the One Piece on Hold Until 2027
The skatepark is the biggest single job in the project and the only one that takes something away for now. The original park opened in 2004, and the county's release says it has "reached the end of its useful life." The new one will be built entirely of concrete, with new fencing and a reworked layout.
At the same September meeting, the committee was told the rehabilitation would start shortly and the skatepark would stay closed while the work is done. The meeting minutes also show the design-build contract with Spohn Ranch rising from $675,000 to $725,000, paid from the 2026 capital bond. Township Public Works handled site preparation, demolition and disposal itself. The National Fitness Campaign's announcement expects the new skatepark to be finished in early 2027. No exact reopening date has been announced.
The Path and the Disc Golf Course Already Worked This Way
Two of the park's existing features already run on a drop-in basis.
The 1.3-mile walking path circles the park and links its sections, and the township put the new fitness court right at its start.
The 18-hole disc golf course runs along the outer loops and tree lines. UDisc lists it as a free public course established in 2022. Its popular White layout is par 55 and 4,252 feet, mostly short-to-midrange holes through a mix of woods and open ground. As of October 2026, the course holds a 4.0 out of 5 from 551 ratings on UDisc. Upkeep scores highest at 4.4, and recent reviewers describe it as short and technical.
On the Fall Calendar at Amanda's Field
Saturday, October 17: Reels on Wheels
The township's free drive-in movie, presented by Cape Assist, is showing Hocus Pocus at Amanda's Field for Halloween. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 7 p.m. Spots are limited, registration is required, and costumes are encouraged. Registration details are posted on the Upper Township website.
Fall Fest: canceled, possibly rescheduled
Fall Fest was set for Sunday, October 4. The township canceled it because of a 75 to 80 percent rain forecast, saying it had "lucked out with every other Fall Fest and 4th of July" until this year. The township says it's looking into another date this fall. As of October 12, no new date has been posted on the township's November calendar.
Disc golf league specials
UDisc lists three special rounds of the Amanda's Field Unsanctioned Tags league, led by Chris Scott, with proceeds going to the course:
- Halloween Special, Saturday, October 31, 9:30 a.m.
- Thanksgiving Special, Saturday, November 28, 8:30 a.m.
- Christmas Special, Saturday, December 19, 8:30 a.m.
These are community-run events. They don't appear on the township's official calendar.
Before You Head Over
- Hours. The township's parks and fields page lists the facilities at the Sunset Drive address but doesn't post hours.
- Dogs. Upper Township's animal control code generally bans dogs in public parks and recreation areas unless the Township Committee has designated and signed an area for leashed dogs. UDisc lists the disc golf course as dog-friendly, so check posted signs or ask the township before bringing one.
- Questions. Upper Township Recreation can be reached at [email protected] or 609-628-2011, ext. 248.
If you own a home near Petersburg, Marmora or Tuckahoe and wonder how projects like the Amanda's Field rebuild fit into what your place is worth, Alexander Huffard follows Upper Township from the township meeting minutes to the sales results. Get your free home valuation, and we'll go over the numbers for your street.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult a qualified professional about your situation.
