If Island Beach State Park Closes, These Beaches Will Be Open

Despite promises from state lawmakers that the Summer of 2017 beach fiasco would not be repeated for the July 4th weekend, we sit just days away from seeing it all over again.

So assuming Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Gov. Phil Murphy are unable to reach a compromise before Saturday night, here is a list of beaches in Ocean County that are near Island Beach State Park and will be accessible once the state park, along with parks throughout the state, is shut down.

A bill that would have kept state parks open for 7 days in the event of a budget impasse (A5128) passed the state Assembly in July 2017 and was approved by the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee in November, but Sweeney failed to bring the bill to the full Senate for a vote.

Here are the beaches nearby that will be open and the cost for beach badges at each.

SOUTH SEASIDE PARK: This is the beach closest to Island Beach State Park. It's part of Berkeley Township, and daily beach badges cost $8 per person for those 12 or older. Purchase at the 23rd Avenue lifeguard stand.

SEASIDE PARK: Daily badges are $10, children under 12 free. Purchase at the Bathhouse, corner of “N” Street & the Boardwalk.

SEASIDE HEIGHTS: Daily badges are $8 on weekends, $7 on weekdays, children under 12 free. Purchase on the boardwalk at beach entrances.

ORTLEY BEACH (TOMS RIVER): Daily badges are $8, children under 12 free. Badges can be purchased at the beach.

LAVALLETTE: Daily badges are $10, children under 12 free. Purchase at the municipal building, 1306 Grand Central Ave.

BRICK: Daily wristbands are $5, daily parking is $5. Purchase at the beach. Brick Beach 3 has recently reopened following the beach replenishment/dune project that is underway. Portions of Brick Beach 2 may be closed because of the project. Brick Beach 1 is accessible.

MANTOLOKING: Daily badges are $5, children under 12 free. Purchase at the badge trailer on Downer Avenue in the municipal parking lot. Cash or check w/driver’s license. There are lifeguards only at Downer and Lyman avenues; all other beaches in the borough are unguarded.

BAY HEAD: Daily badges are $8, children under 12 free. Purchase at the base of the foot bridge on Mount Street.

POINT PLEASANT BEACH: Controlled primarily by Jenkinson's; daily badges are $10 on the weekends, $9 weekdays, with children under 12 $2.50. Martell's; Bradshaw's Beach, at Washington Avenue, and the Maryland Avenue beach, operated by Aqua Serve, charge $8 for daily badges.

Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff