'People matter more than Pickleball': Thousands rally to save N.J. church slated to become park

[Wicked Blue]

May 22, 2025
By Nyah Marshall | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Toms River officials are facing backlash over a plan to seize property belonging to a local church to create a waterfront park.

More than 6,500 people have signed a petition launched earlier this month to save Christ Episcopal Church property on Washington Street from being seized through eminent domain.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has also raised nearly $15,000 to help the church fight the town’s plans.

The campaigns were created in response to Toms River introducing an ordinance last month to acquire four properties through eminent domain — including the nearly 11-acre Christ Episcopal Church site.

https://www.nj.com/news/2025/05/people-matter-more-than-pickleball-thousands-rally-to-save-nj-church-slated-to-become-park.html

I happen to live not too far from Toms River. This issue arose when the church proposed opening a 17-bed homeless shelter on its property last fall. As far as I know, there are no homeless shelters in Ocean County. The church has an outreach center providing food, clothes and other help to people in need. Some Toms River residents vehemently objected to the shelter plan, which would require a zoning variance.

Now town officials, who I think are all Republicans, want to seize the church property through eminent domain and turn it into a waterfront park with soccer fields and pickleball courts. The church happens to be next door to the Toms River Country Club, which has its wn tennis and pickleball courts.

Church leaders say the town's plan to seize the property is retaliation for the homeless shelter proposal. -- Wicked Blue

[NNadir]

1. My sons are declining to go to Seaside Heights with us this summer, something we've done since they were kids.

They can't take the redneck energy there anymore.

The other day in another thread I called that area where you live, which is no reflection on you of course, "Oklahoma by the sea."

[cbabe]

2. Pickleball courts to replace Seattle's sole homeless RV parking lot

https://mynorthwest.com/local/pickleball-courts-rv-lot-seattle/4091501

Pickleball courts to replace Seattle’s sole homeless RV parking lot

May 24, 2025, 6:25 AM | Updated: 6:27 am

BY JULIA DALLAS
MyNorthwest Content Editor

A pickleball complex will replace the only homeless RV parking lot in Seattle, according to The Seattle Times.

A five-year lease for the Interbay lot housing a homeless encampment will end early to make way for a three-story pickleball complex.

The Low Income Housing Institute (LIHI) signed the lease in May 2023 with an early termination option, according to The Seattle Times. Staff set up heat, installed a shared bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and hygiene center in the space, which allows for 27 RVs and 11 tiny homes.

… more …

[BobTheSubgenius]

3. Very short is the list of things over which pickleball should hold sway.

I used to pass pickleball courts on my morning walk, but I moved from that area. I instantly sympathized with the complaining neighbours, especially when the games seemed to start at a time guaranteed to get the players to the Early Bird Specials. It is loud tennis for people who don't like to move.

It requires slightly more athleticism than shuffleboard, but at least shuffle board is quiet.

[Midnight Writer]

4. This church is too woke. Imagine, providing food, clothes and other help to people in need.

We can't have that going on in our American Church.

They should get with the program and teach intolerance, bigotry and greed like the other American Church pastors.