Beach badge sales have officially begun for Toms River’s Ortley Beach and Shelter Cove Beach, with residents encouraged to make purchases before May 24 to secure a pre-season discount of $50.
The announcement was made Friday by the Toms River Township Government, which noted that children age 12 and under are not required to have beach badges. Seniors age 62 and older are eligible for a lifetime badge at the reduced price of $15, while active military members and veterans may receive free badges for their spouse and any children under 18 living in the same household.
To obtain military and senior badges, a Community Pass household account must be created. This can be done either online in advance or in person at the Recreation Department. “Community Pass households must be created for Senior and Military badges,” the township noted in a public statement.
Badges may be purchased at multiple township locations: the Recreation Office at 1810 Warren Point Road, the Senior Center at 652 Garfield Avenue, and the Tax Collector’s office at Town Hall. Payment options vary slightly by location, with the Recreation Office accepting credit cards, cash, and checks, while the other two offices will accept only cash and checks.
Toms River emphasized the importance of purchasing badges before the May 24 deadline to lock in the lower rate. After that date, badge prices are expected to increase, though the updated rate has not been specified by the township.
How to access beach information and plan ahead
Further details about Toms River’s beaches, including hours, amenities, and rules, are available on the township’s website. Beachgoers are encouraged to review beach-specific guidelines before the summer season begins.
For military families and seniors aiming to complete the Community Pass process in person, the Recreation Office is equipped to handle account creation during regular business hours. The township also recommends creating the account online in advance to streamline the badge acquisition process.
Pre-season sales are part of Toms River’s annual effort to manage beach access and crowd control ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend. Ortley Beach and Shelter Cove Beach are two of the most frequently visited beaches in Ocean County, drawing thousands of seasonal visitors each year.
Officials have not yet released information about beach badge enforcement dates or any changes to beach operating hours. Those details are expected to be updated online as the season approaches.
More information about badge requirements and beach operations can be found at www.tomsrivertownship.com/553/Beaches.
