POINT PLEASANT, NJ – Point Pleasant Mayor Paul Kanitra has announced his plan to reopen the Ocean County beachfront community and it begins with reopening the parking lot along the Manasquan Inlet. Last week, Manasquan, on the northern side of the inlet shut down parking, and in Point Pleasant, where parking along the inlet is also closed, Kanitra says it will soon reopen.
Kanitra said he will also open the Maryland Avenue beach to residents only along with borough parks.
The move could spark some anger by non-residents who feel slighted by the move, which might even be illegal under New Jersey law.
According to New Jersey Coastal Access, in New Jersey, coastal access is the ability of all to pass physically (linear and perpendicular access) and visually to, from and along tidal waterways and shores. Public access areas should encourage the public to use coastal areas by providing adequate amenities such as parking, and must not discourage users by charging inappropriate fees.
If access to a public beach is granted, according to the law, towns cannot prohibit the public from accessing that beach. Kanitra will probably accomplish this goal by enforcing parking restrictions to out-of-towners trying to access the beach during the VIP period.