Belmar Steps into 21st Century with iPhone App

Great news for tech-savvy residents of the shore area. All anyone could ever want to know about the Borough of Belmar is now available for free, and can be found just by using the tips of your fingers.

To get all the information you want about the borough, all that is needed is an iPhone, iTouch, iPad or similar smart phone. Users can take these devices and download the handy iBelmarGuide application, or app as it is more commonly known. From there, users can find a myriad of information about the borough, ranging from everything from different restaurants to the town’s history to even surfing conditions. 

Belmar Arts Council member John Hutchinson developed this app in 2010. Following his retirement, he took several classes to learn how to develop this application and debuted this app in April of that year.

Upon downloading this application, users will be directed to a main screen where they can look up information about the borough, transportation, annual events, the Shark River Marina, dining, lodging, shops and services, nightlife, arts and entertainment, history and first aid information.

Perhaps one of the most unique parts of this app is the restaurant tab. Users can scroll through the numerous places to eat all throughout the borough, along with a brief summary of what they will find there. If they like what they see and want to make a reservation, a phone number for the restaurant is right there, and those using smart phones can click on the number and call the restaurant ahead of time.

Some may also have trouble choosing a restaurant to eat at. With this app, users can actually cycle through all of the restaurants in a game, with a spinning wheel randomly ending on a place to eat in the borough. This could help some of the less decisive users figure out where to grab a quick lunch before heading to the beach.

Along with all that information, users also have the opportunity to look up things to do when visiting the borough. This page includes a great deal of information on the local beaches, surfing, kayaking, biking, running and walking, parasailing, boating, fishing, birdwatching, things to do with children and tons more things to do for those averse to the beach.

There is also a map of the borough available for users, that way they can pinpoint interesting locations they would like to visit throughout the borough.

In the “About Belmar” section of the application, Hutchinson explains why he thinks the borough is so special, and how this app will help residents and visitors best navigate their way through the borough.

“Combine the beachfront with opportunities for walking, running, biking and rollerblading along the ocean, the many great restaurants and good people of this town, and you can see why many people wouldn’t think of living anywhere else,” he wrote.

Information about the Belmar app is available at Belmar Borough Hall by calling 732-681-3700. There is also a continual reminder for residents and visitors to download this application via the new electronic billboard located near the Belmar Marina.

This app is free for anyone to download, and can be found in the iTunes store by searching for the iBelmarGuide.