Long Branch Installs First-Ever Beach Clean-Up Station At West End/Cottage Place

LONG BRANCH, NJ — The city of Long Branch just installed a beach clean-up station at West End Avenue and Cottage Place Beach.

The station is meant to encourage beachgoers to lend a hand by collecting litter and debris when they see it on the beach. The station is stocked with buckets and located at a major beach entrance and boardwalk access point. If you spot trash on the beach, grab a bucket, pick it up, throw it away and return the bucket.

The idea came from Long Branch resident Stacy Walker who first saw this in Florida and emailed a photo to Mayor John Pallone. She said she was visiting Palm Beach and saw an area with gloves and buckets, encouraging beachgoers to pick up trash when they found it.

“I thought it could be a simple way to encourage everyone to help keep Long Branch’s beautiful beaches clean, and minimize plastic in our oceans," said Walker. "I’m incredibly grateful to Mayor Pallone, the DPW and the city of Long Branch for embracing the idea and turning it into reality."

This is the first beach clean-up station in the city, and will serve as a pilot program. If this initial beach clean-up station is successful, the city plans to add more to other Long Branch beach entrances.

"Our beaches are one of Long Branch's greatest treasures, and this new clean-up station gives everyone an opportunity to be part of keeping them beautiful," said Pallone. "This is a simple idea that can make a big difference. Whether you're a resident, a visitor, or a family spending the day at the shore, grabbing a bucket and picking up a few pieces of debris helps protect our coastline and strengthens the sense of pride we all share in our community. Thank you to Stacy Walker for the idea."