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New Jersey Beaches At A Cost
by Deborah Schwabe
A free beach is a rare treat
in New Jersey. New Jersey offers more than 120 miles of sandy beaches on
the Atlantic Ocean, but you're going to pay a fee to sit on those sandy
beaches. Beach tags are a necessity during the beach season. New Jersey
has a pay to play policy when it comes to the majority of their beaches.
Only Wildwood and Atlantic City offer free beaches at this time. Seaside
Heights offers free beach days on Wednesday and Thursday, due to
sponsorship by Coca-Cola.
Beach tags are required at
all other beaches. This is a hot issue in New Jersey. There are some
beaches that require you to purchase a weekly tag even if you are only
going to be visiting for one or two days. Not all beaches choose to use
this system as daily tags are available on many New Jersey beaches. Most
beaches do not charge for children under the age of twelve. Each
township sets their rules. Senior citizens may receive a discount at
some New Jersey beaches. Seasonal badges are an option if you will be
visiting for a longer stay or are planning many day trips to the New
Jersey shoreline.
Many towns choose to use
beach tags to help fund things such as bathrooms, changing stations and
lifeguards. There is a lot of controversy over whether beach tags are
actually to restrict beach use to people who are paying visitors of
hotels, beach house rentals and local residents.
Most beaches post a sign
that a beach tag is required. There are "tag checkers" who walk the
beach with the purpose of making sure you have your tag. If you do not
have a tag, you will be asked to purchase one on the spot or asked to
leave. Seaside Heights has fenced in their beach area. You have to go
through a pay area before accessing the beach.
On Long Beach Island, there
are more than twelve different beach tags. Long Beach Island is no more
than twenty miles long. You can not purchase one tag and use it on
another beach; even if that portion of the beach is just a few blocks
away.
Wildwood which includes
Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and North Wildwood offers approximately eight
miles of free beaches, while Atlantic City sports five miles of free
beaches.
Beach tags are a big
business. Ocean County took in over $2.7 million dollars in beach fees
during the 2004 season. Don't expect them to go away anytime soon.
About the Author
Deborah Schwabe shares
her insight and thoughts at
http://www.SurvivingNj.com |
