Ocean City prides itself on having something to enhance everyone’s recreation and leisure time. Throughout the island, there are well-equipped parks and playgrounds, maintained for safety and fun on a year-round basis. There are baseball, softball, football, soccer, field hockey and multi-purpose fields. Numerous basketball, tennis, street hockey, shuffleboard, and volleyball courts complete the array of active recreation sites, many of them lighted for added hours of enjoyment. The City’s twelve-hole par-three golf course provides hours of enjoyment in a scenic meadow setting. Children can choose from a variety of fun and educational programs throughout the year. Adults can take part in the full array of programs at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, as well as compete in such activities as softball and volleyball. Find out more here and get involved in all that Ocean City has to offer. You’ll be glad you did! Register Now at RecDesk
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Click here for more information on Ocean City's Recreation Facilities, Parks & Playgrounds.
All Open Gym takes place at the Ocean City Civic Center (6th & Boardwalk) unless otherwise noted
*Schedules are subject to change**
Please check back daily as possible changes could take place. If you are unsure of schedule, call 609-525-9304*
Trouble Viewing Schedule? Click Here: Open Gym - July 2025.pdf
OPEN PLAY RULES
Need to be an Ocean City Resident or Ocean City School Student
Need to be able to show proper ID
No hanging on basketball rims and/or basketball nets
No dunking of basketballs
No foul language
No fighting - keep your hands to yourself
No chewing of gum
No damaging or defacing property
Must clean up bottles and trash when leaving the building
In order to get a basketball, you must be able to leave something of value as collateral
Shirts and athletic shoes are required
If location is at the Intermediate School, any Intermediate School student must exit the school and not enter the gymnasium until 3PM
BASKETBALL CHECK OUT/IN
To borrow a basketball, you must trade in something of value as collateral.
Your belonging will be returned to you once you return the ball to a staff member.
Failure to return the basketball will result in staff keeping your belonging until you can find or replace the basketball. Failure to abide to these rules will result in verbal warning, notification home, suspension, and/or expulsion.
Any Questions? Ocean City Recreation Department: 609-525-9304
Indoor Pickleball is played at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center located at 6th and the boardwalk. Parking lot is accessible on 5th street side.
4 indoor courts can accommodate up to 16 players at a time. Morning Time sessions have ended for the 2025 season. There are still several night time sessions scheduled May.
Trouble viewing flyer? Click Here: Indoor Pickleball 2024-2025 (003).pdf
Night Time Pickleball
Trouble Viewing Schedule? Click Here: May Night Pickleball 2025.pdf
- If you are early to your session, place your paddle on the table (left to right) NOT in the racks.
-When the session begins, paddles from left to right go onto the courts until they are full (first 16 paddles). The remaining paddles will be put into the racks by a staff member in the order they are placed on the table. A white place marker notes who is next.
-First game of each session: Play 1 game. Losers leave the court and place their paddles at the end of the line in the racks. Winners stay for 1 more game, win or lose, then leave the court and place their paddles at the end of the line in the racks.
-2 players on and 2 players off is the rotation AFTER the first game of the session. You play 2 games win or lose then leave the court and place your paddles back in the racks.
-If more than 20 players are present in a session, games will be played to 9 points.
-A whistle will be blown at the end of each session clearing off all 4 courts and signaling the next session to begin.
- You may only attend 1 of the 3 morning time sessions
How do the racks work?
-The white starter marks who is next in line.
-When 2 players go play, move the white marker to the next paddle in line.
-When returning after play, put your paddle in the next available space "at the end of the line"
-DO NOT switch or move any paddles!
For any questions email pickleball@ocnj.us or call 609-525-9304
41st Annual Dixie Howell Middle School Basketball Tournament
Sponsored by the Ocean City PBA Local #61 and the City of Ocean City
All games take place at the Ocean City Intermediate School (1801 Bay Avenue)
Entrance is in the back through the Haven Avenue Basketball Courts.
Entrance fee is $1 for the whole day
Good Luck to all the teams in the Tournament!
Boys' Teams Girls' Teams
Dennis Township Middle School Alder Avenue School (EHT)
Galloway Township Middle School Dennis Township Middle School
Middle Township Middle School Galloway Township Middle School
Ocean City Intermediate School Middle Township Middle School
Upper Township Middle School Ocean City Intermediate School
Upper Township Middle School
Trouble Viewing Schedule? Click Here: 2024 Dixie Howell Schedule.pdf
Congrats to the 2024 team and individual award winners....
Having trouble viewing? Click here: 2024 Dixie Howell Tournament Awards.pdf
Trouble Viewing? Click: Little Rec'ers Final Flyer 2024.pdf
Little Rec'ers please bring a drink and a peanut-free snack in a labeled lunch box, wear toed-closed shoes, and weather appropriate clothing.
Trouble Viewing Calendar? Click Here:
PARENT NIGHT OUT JUNE DATES AND THEMES
Open to residents and non residents ages 4 - 10 years old
Trouble Viewing Flyer? Click Here: 2025 June Parent Night-Day Out Dates.pdf
Registration and Questions:
Online: ocnj.recdesk.com
In Person: Ocean City Aquatic & Fitness Center (1735 Simpson Avenue)
Phone: 609-525-9304 or 609-398-6900
Email: playgroup@ocnj.us
Information regarding the skateboard park and the rules are as follows:
For additional rules at this time - Click Here
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 12:00pm to Dusk (School Year)
Monday - Friday: 9:00am - Dusk (Summer)
Saturday - Sunday: 9:00am to Dusk
**Weather Permitting
- Helmets, elbow pads, and knee pads are required at all times when skateboarding.
- Skateboard Park will be closed during inclement weather and/or when equipment is damaged or wet or for routine maintenance.
- Skateboard Park is for skateboards only, bikes, scooters, roller skates/blades are prohibited.
- No food or glass in the skateboarding area.
- Parental supervision for inexperienced skateboarders and those less than 12 years of age is strongly recommended.
- Skateboard Park is for skateboards only. Bikes, scooters, and roller blades are prohibited.
- No amplified sound is permitted except by permit.
- No defacing of property with stickers, paint, wax, markers, etc.
- Skateboarding is prohibited on the adjacent parking lots, sidewalks, and streets.
- Proper behavior is required at all times. Abusive, profane language or aggressive behavior such as fighting, or bullying will not be tolerated.
- The use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products is strictly prohibited.
- Rules violations will result in the suspension of skateboarding privileges.
- Unsafe conditions should be reported to the City of Ocean City, Department of Community Services at: 609-399-6111.
- To reach the Skatepark during operation hours please call: 609-840-4220.
Skateboard lessons are provided by one of our qualified instructors and the rates are as follows:
1 Skater for 30 minutes: $40
2 Skaters for 30 minutes: $50
3 - 5 Skaters for 60 minutes: $125
Required Equipment: Helmet, knee & elbow pads. Must provide your own skateboard
Register for a Skateboard Lesson
Register for a Skateboard Camp
After registering for your lesson please contact Willie Fannon for scheduling: wfannon@ocnj.us or 609-840-4220.
Instructor:
Willie Fannon - Has been actively Skateboarding since the age of 9. 31 yrs of experience. Has a background in Street Skating with a newfound love of Skating Skateparks Has Skated all over the country and has been teaching people how to skate for over 10 years. In addition to being a Skateboarding Instructor, Willie also teaches people how to Surf and Paddleboard. Willie hopes to see you at the Ocean City Skatepark!!!
OCNJ Recreation Skate Camps
Summer Skate Camps
Description: Join us to learn how to skate. Our camps are set up for all skill levels. We go over the fundamentals of skateboarding and safety while having some fun. Each camp has a 5 to 1 skater to instructor ratio to ensure everyone is in on the fun!
Dates: August 1st - August 4th, August 15th - August 18th (Friday of each week will be a backup in case of inclement weather)
Time: 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages: 6 and up
Cost: $90 per skater
OCNJ Recreation Skate Clinics
All Girls Skate Clinic: Hosted by Zoe Herishen
Description: This 3-hour clinic is for girls of all ages and abilities led by an all-girls staff of instructors. Learn to skate, learn new tricks, and make some new friends. Just like our camps, the All Girls Skate Clinic will have a 5 to 1 skater to instructor ratio.
Date: August 9th
Time: 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages: All ages
Cost: $50 per skater
CHECK BACK FOR MORE CLINICS TO COME!
All activities are handled on a first come, first serve basis for residents and seasonal vacationers. The Ocean City Community Services Department and the Division of Recreation Programs reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any program due to lack of registration, inclement weather or reasons beyond the department’s control. Programs, dates and times are subject to change due to availability of facilities. Registration will only be accepted from a parent or legal guardian over the age of 18.
Program cancellation due to inclement weather will be announced on Channel 2 or call (609) 525-9304. Please make all checks for programs or special events payable to: “City of Ocean City.” Registration for activities will be taken online through the online registration platform.
Program announcements will be distributed through schools and published in local newspapers. Any program requiring a deadline for registration will be noted on the program information flyer. A waiting list will be maintained for some programs. If an opening becomes available in a closed program, that space will be offered to the first person on the waiting list. If that person declines or is unreachable the next person on the list will be contacted. The Division of Recreation insists that a child should never be left at an activity or program before the person in charge arrives to accept responsibility for that participant. It is the obligation of the parent or guardian to be aware of program schedule and times.
Refund Policy – No refunds will be given after a program begins. Refunds will be approved only if the activity is canceled, or for medical reasons if the refund request is made in writing (3) days before the activity begins. A COPY OF YOUR RECEIPT SHOULD ACCOMPANY YOUR REQUEST
The City of Ocean City has set the following guidelines for registration fees for our Recreation and Aquatic & Fitness Center programs:
- In order to request a refund, a written email should be sent to Recreation@ocnj.us with a detailed explanation for the request. After the request has been made, the city will review and make a decision on its status.
- Refunds will only be made for canceled programs or medical reasons before the start of the program. Please provide a doctors note at the time of request.
- Any Covid related refunds will require a medical note, no at home test photos will be accepted
- Refunds will not be made for scheduling conflicts or dissatisfaction with program/team, etc.
The dollar amount will be prorated dependent on how much of the program/season has passed. Credit card payments will be returned to the card within 5-7 business days. Cash and check payments will be returned by check, which may take 2-3 weeks for processing.
The City of Ocean City reserves the right to waive this refund policy at its discretion at any time.
Printable Form - Click Here
The completed travel coaches applications may go to:
Michael Allegretto, c/o City Hall, 861 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226, mallegretto@ocnj.us
Kristie Fenton, c/o Aquatic and Fitness Center, 1735 Simpson Ave., Ocean City, NJ 08226, kfenton@ocnj.us
The applications must be in by October 19, 4:30pm.
Coaches Application - Click Here for Printable Form
Free Online Concussion Training - Click Here for Link
New Coach Online Certification - Click Here for Link
Fingerprinting Application - Click Here for Printable Form
Fingerprinting Appointment - Click Here for Link
(Must fill out Fringerprinting Application first)
Your kid’s success or lack of success in sports does not indicate what kind of parent you are… But having an athlete that is coachable, respectful, a great teammate, mentally tough, resilient, and who tries their best is a direct reflection of your parenting.
The best 6 words a parent can say after a game - "I love to watch you play"
