Beach Capacity Limits Not Deterring Jersey Shore Visitors

OCEAN COUNTY — From the traffic into Island Beach State Park on Friday, it looked like a typical Fourth of July weekend, with cars and SUVs backed up well into Seaside Park waiting to get into Island Beach State Park.

But with towns imposing capacity limits on parking and beaches because of the coronavirus pandemic, the traffic seemed to be the only significant issue as visitors headed to the shore.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Island Beach State Park authorities have urged people to arrive early, as the parking lots for the two swimming areas are limited to 50 percent of capacity.

"With the beautiful weather predicted over the holiday weekend IBSP will likely reach capacity very early. Once we reach capacity, the park will close," park officials said. "We suggest being at the park before 9 a.m., or after 2 p.m."

Visitors apparently listened on Friday, as there was a line of traffic backed up well into Seaside Park before the park's 8 a.m. opening. The park closed to beach visitors by 9:40 a.m., but reopened to beachgoers about 12:30 p.m. Mobile sportfishing access (you must have a 2020 pass) remained open and unaffected by the swimming beach closures.

The state's traffic website, 511nj.org, was reporting delays on Route 35 south into Seaside Heights, and residents were reporting vehicles still backed up waiting to get into the park in the early afternoon.

But the capacity limits meant many beaches were closed quickly on Friday morning. In Brick, beaches 1 and 3 were closed by 9:15 a.m. But even with the limits quickly filled, social distancing measures seemed to be being followed and crowds weren't excessive.

"We're busy but it's nothing extraordinary," said Christopher Vaz, Seaside Heights business administrator. "No long lines at the crossovers and restrooms. Very manageable."

You can see live Seaside Heights video from Earthcam that shows some groups of people walking the boardwalk and social distancing on the beach. Earthcam also has a view from the northern end of the boardwalk and a third camera near Lucky Leo's.

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