Committee Hopes For More Ocean Avenue Improvements in 2012

The Save Ocean Avenue Committee is dedicated to making Ocean Avenue a jewel of the city and making improvements to the street.

The non-profit group outlined its plans for Ocean Avenue during the final Long Branch Council meeting of 2011.

One of the group's plans is already in the works as the council recently passed a bond ordinance that will .

The group was also like to finish painting historical postcard Long Branch art scenes on all boarwalk bathrooms. They would also like to put up story boards along the boardwalk that highlight the history of Long Branch and Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park.

The committee was responsible for the boardwalk being renamed the Seven Presidents Ocean Walk and would now like to install new entrance signs at the north and south ends of the boardwalk.

Finishing the bike path from Brighton Avenue to the surf hut ans starting a bike path on the other side are other improvements the committee would like to see in 2012.

Safety along Ocean Avenue and Ocean Boulevard are also primary concerns for the committee. The group would like to see more pedestrian crossing signs, the repainting of crosswalks a double no passing yellow line from south Bath to Pier Village; all before the April when runners and pedestrians return to the boardwalk.

Many residents cross Ocean Boulevard to get to the beach, and the committee says more signage and speed enforcement are needed on the busy street.

Widening the boardwalk is another goal of the committee, something Councilwoman .

Mayor Schneider has said the council had looked into doing so in the past, but that the cost, nearly $13 million, was too great for the city.