Seaside Heights Unveils Plan For Boardwalk, Beaches, Rentals

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NJ — The beach and boardwalk in Seaside Heights are scheduled to begin a phased reopening starting Friday, with rules for social distancing during the coronavirus crisis that mirror what Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday.

Those rules also have led to the cancellation of a number of very popular beach events, including the overnight beach camping, the Big Joe Henry Show, Wine On The Beach and the Monday night and tribute band concert series.

"Make no mistake about it, our beach and boardwalk operations will be very different from past years," Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz said.

Murphy said beaches could reopen in time for Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer tourism season at the Jersey Shore.

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Seaside Heights Mayor Anthony Vaz said among the rules that will be in place starting Friday are a ban on large gatherings and no sports, all of which are covered under Murphy's announcement. Face coverings are encouraged but not mandatory under both Murphy's guidelines and the rules Seaside Heights laid out.

Murphy's plan would allow swimming, but Seaside Heights will not permit swimming, under the plan the borough released.

Murphy's beach reopening order allows boardwalk restaurants to reopen for takeout and delivery only, but arcade games, rides, and playgrounds remain closed. It also orders capacity limitations, with the method set by local leaders and the prohibition of beach summer camps, fireworks, festivals and concerts. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Seaside Heights also will have the following limits in place through May 22: No beach chairs, blankets, or coolers; no dogs allowed, and the restrooms will be closed. Starting May 23, the borough will open public restrooms on a limited basis but its showers on the beach will remain shrinkwrapped and shut down.

The beach and boardwalk will have firm opening and closing times as well.

The Phase 2 rules will be in place through June 30, with a reevaluation as time moves forward.

Vaz said some of the limits in Seaside Heights are driven by an expected substantial loss in revenue that has forced the borough to reduce staffing.

"This means less beach attendants, less lifeguards and less seasonal laborers," Vaz said. "We cannot sustain beach and boardwalk operations on the backs of local taxpayers."

"Nonetheless, we will work hard to give our visitors a worthwhile experience but we ask for everybody’s continued patience and understanding," he said.

Here are the rules Seaside Heights has set out for its phased reopening, for the beach and boardwalk, the bayfront and for short-term rentals:

Beach and Boardwalk, May 15-May 22

• Gates will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. for access to the boardwalk and limited access to the beach at Blaine Avenue, Franklin Avenue, Hiering Avenue, and Hancock Avenue. The gates will be staffed.
• Beach activities are limited to walking, jogging, active surf fishing, and surfing. No swimming. No beach chairs or blankets. No sitting or standing — please keep moving. No coolers. No dogs.
• Activities on the boardwalk are limited to walking, jogging, and riding bicycles. Please keep moving. No dogs.
• Beach and boardwalk will be cleared at 5 p.m. and the gates locked.
• Social distancing required. Wearing a face mask is encouraged but not required unless a superseding State order requiring face masks is issued.
• No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.
• Public restrooms will be closed.
• Shower pedestals and water fountains will remain shrink wrapped and unavailable.
• The public is encouraged not to touch handrails and not to sit on benches.

Beach and Boardwalk, May 23-June 30

• The boardwalk will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with access at the gates at Blaine Avenue, Franklin Avenue, DupontAvenue, Hiering Avenue, Carteret Avenue, and Hancock Avenue. The boardwalk will be cleared nightly at 11 and the gates locked.
• The beach will be open, with limited access, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The beach will be cleared at 5 p.m.
• No swimming. No coolers. No dogs.
• A season beach badge or senior beach badge will be required for beach entry. Season beach badges and senior beach badges must be purchased using the Viply smartphone app or through Viply’s website. There will be no beach badge sales on the boardwalk. "We do not anticipate selling daily
• wristbands during Phase 2," the borough said.
• Social distancing required. Wearing a face mask is encouraged but not required.
• No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.
• Public restrooms will be open on a limited basis.
• Shower pedestals and water fountains will remain shrinkwrapped and unavailable.
• The public is encouraged not to touch handrails and not to sit on benches.

The bayfront rules, beginning May 15:

South bayfront: Social distancing is required. No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.

North bayfront:

• Boat ramp open
• Beach/boardwalk/dock open. No personal watercraft or boats on the shoreline. Social distancing is required. No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.
• Swimming beach closed

Parking rules, May 23 – June 30

• All private commercial parking lots and public metered parking shall be reduced
• to 50 percent capacity.
• The following municipal parking lots and metered parking areas will be closed: Grant Avenue lot, Hiering Avenue lot, Sampson Avenue lot, “free parking” lot at Webster Avenue & Bay Blvd, and boardwalk street end parking areas.
• In addition to the 50 percent limit on available parking spaces, private commercial parking lots will be subject to a Local State of Emergency Order prohibiting parking charges in excess of $45 per day.

Short-term rentals, which were suspended by the borough on March 31, will remain banned through May 31. Starting June 1 through June 30, the restriction will be amended to allow motels, hotels, and multi-family dwellings with three or more units to rent not more than 25 percent of available units. Other rentals units (AirBnB, VRBO and similar online rentals) will be released from the order.

In addition to canceling special events, there will be no busker/performer permits issued through June 30.

Third-party special events in May and June have been canceled, though some may be rescheduled for August or fall depending on the status of the state of emergency at that time, borough officials said. A decision on July and August third-party special events will be made in the near future.

"We will be very prepared to seek compliance from visitors," said Eric Hershey, Seaside Heights emergency management coordinator. "But please, everybody, do your part to comply with our restrictions, use social distancing, and help stop the spread of COVID-19 while supporting local businesses. We can accomplish both if we all accept personal responsibility for our behavior."

Murphy said the rules and guidelines allow beaches to be open "in a way that's consistent with protecting the public health of every beachgoer."

Murphy's list included:

• Not require face masks, but they are recommended.
• Extend social distancing to the beaches, ensuring people stay 6 feet apart except for family groups, household members, caretakers or couples.
• Establish capacity limitations, but local leaders can determine the method that would be best for their communities. That method could include limiting available beach tags or have a spatial analysis map.
• Allow anyone on the beach, and not restrict it to just local residents.
• Implement proper and regular sanitation rules.
• Prohibit contact sports and organized events
• Prohibit beach summer camps and fireworks, festivals and concerts
• Open shower pavilions, changing areas and restrooms. Restrooms at parks can also reopen
• Maintain the closure of rides, arcades and playground.
• Allow boardwalk restaurants to open for take out and delivery only.
• Close visitor centers.

This article has been updated to correct that Gov. Murphy's beach reopening plans would permit towns to allow swimming; Seaside Heights will not permit swimming. Patch regrets the error.

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