SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ – Going the beach and boardwalk in Seaside Heights will be no day at the beach, but things could get better starting May 23rd. Today, Seaside Heights is reopening the beach and boardwalk but unless you want to go for a walk, get in and get out and go home. Access will be limited to just four entrances and unless you want to walk, jog, surf or fish, you should just wait until next week to avoid being disappointed.
No sunbathing, no blankets, no coolers, no chairs and no swimming will be allowed until next week. Police will be roaming the beach and boardwalk enforcing these rules. You must keep six feet away from all others. Next week, restrictions will be limited to no coolers and no swimming, according to the borough.
After being published today by Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy, residents questioned the rules.
- What is the reasoning behind no chairs and sunbathing? Makes no sense to me. As long as you are the mandatory 6 feet apart why not? You are stationary and therefore less likely to come in contact with anyone. Are the “distancing police” going to pull out a tape measure?
- Of course it is too cold to swim, but I can’t understand why there will be no sitting or sunbathing on the beach…People would love to just sit on the beach and relax for a while, just looking at the ocean..Give people benefit of the doubt about social distancing….Also, I think a mistake to not open bathrooms at the same time as the beach/boardwalk..You will end up having a disaster as what happened in the parks.
- Only for passive recreation no swimming no sunbathing no sitting on the beach. So they will be charging for this?
- This is a joke, you can look but dont touch. They are giving you nothing, think about it.
- Open for what? Walking around and getting back off ASAP?
Below are the two phases of opening announced by borough officials.
The Seaside Heights beach and Boardwalk will reopen in two phases:
Phase 1, May 15 to May 22
the beach and boardwalk will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with these guidelines:
- There will be only limited beach access points:
- on the north end, access will be at Hiering and Hancock avenues.
- on the south end, access will be provided at Blaine and Franklin avenues.
- The beach will be open for passive recreation, including walking, jogging, surfing and fishing.
- No sunbathing will be allowed.
- No blankets, chairs or coolers will be permitted, and no groups of more than 10 people can come to the beach together.
- Swimming will not be permitted.
- Restrooms will remain closed.
- Everyone on the boardwalk and beach must stay at least six feet apart.
- Police officers will patrol the Boardwalk and beach.
Phase 2, May 23 to June 30
the beach will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the Boardwalk will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Additional access points to the beach will open on the south end, at Dupont and Carteret avenues.
- No coolers will be allowed.
- Swimming will not be permitted.
- No groups of more than 10 people will be allowed on the beach together.
- Restrooms will be opened and will be monitored by Seaside Heights staff.
Everyone on the boardwalk and beach must remain six feet apart.
State guidelines regarding the operation of businesses remain in effect.
We look forward to welcoming you to Seaside Heights.