By Allison Perrine
BELMAR – On a sunny morning near the water Monday, the freeholders gave a snapshot of what the summer months ahead might look like in Monmouth County.
As municipalities along the shore implement new rules to keep residents and visitors safe through the pandemic, officials urge residents to learn more about these new regulations and to “know before you go” to a destination.
Things like daily beach badges, for example, might not be available in some towns this summer or they may be sold online only. In Belmar specifically, Mayor Mark Walsifer said the borough will be selling daily badges, but if sections of the beach become overcrowded, patrons will be directed to other areas of the beach to maintain social distancing.
“Monmouth County is known for its beautiful beaches and shore towns that make it a desirable location for a day trip or vacation getaway,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to Monmouth County Tourism. “While Monmouth County beaches will be open this summer, there will be several new policies in place for the safety and well-being of visitors and employees.”
Monmouth County Freeholders held a press conference in Belmar Borough last week, to address the latest updates for beach openings Memorial Day Weekend
To help make this type of information accessible for Monmouth County residents, the freeholders established a list of area shore towns and any regulations in place for the beaches this summer. It is available at visitmonmouth.com.
In the Two River area towns specifically, the website shows that Sandy Hook beaches will close parking lots A, K and North Beach. Permanent restroom facilities are closed, but portable toilets are available throughout the park.
In Sea Bright there will be four access gates to the municipal beach this summer. This will allow for the equal distribution of beachgoers to maintain social distancing, according to the site. Staff members will be stationed at each gate selling seasonal and daily badges and offering assistance to anyone who needs it. They will also remind patrons of social distancing guidelines before they get on the beach.
All public restrooms in Sea Bright will be open but limited to three users per facility at a time.
The borough asks that patrons use facemasks or coverings in the restrooms. The restrooms will be disinfected regularly in addition to regularly scheduled cleanings. However, showers, water fountains, the playground and foot wash stations will not be available. The public will also not have access to benches, chairs or tables.
Additionally, the borough opened its municipal parking lot on Ocean Avenue May 15, with reduced capacity. Paid parking is now in effect and can be done at the kiosks or through the mPay2Park parking application on a smartphone.
In Monmouth Beach, daily passes to the Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion will be limited to 175 each day through the summer season. Daily pass purchases must be made electronically through the Viply app or at viplypass.com/monmouth-beach.
And while the summer might be a little different this year, tourism is still an important industry for both the county and state. It brings short-term and long-term visitors to the area’s beaches, boardwalks and businesses, including dining, entertainment and lodging. Arnone announced Monday that in 2019 alone, tourism visitations to the county reached 8.8 million, making it the fifth-most visited county in the state for the year.
“Our small business community is the backbone of our economy,” said Arnone. “More importantly, they’re employing our friends, neighbors and residents. It’s especially important to give them our support during this tough time.”
The article originally appeared in the May 21 – 27, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
