Officials: Restoring Beach Access in Long Branch to be a 'Work In Progress'

Long Branch officials are still discussing how many beach access points will be open this summer after Hurricane Sandy damaged the city's boardwalk and beachfront.

"It's going to be a work in progress,"  City Administrator Howard Woolley said during Tuesday night's council meeting. "As we move forward we are going to see we’re we’ve got beach we are going to get as many entrances onto as many beaches as we can."

Mayor Adam Schneider said the beaches south of Cottage Place are in the worst shape and said it is unknown how many access points would be open there.

"I think we can do at least one access point in West End, as long as the sand comes back and there are no more storms," Schneider said in a recent interview. "My hope is there will be enough sand to figure out where people can get on in West End."

Long Branch Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Stanley Dzuiba said the latest storm that hit the area left little to no beach from South Bath to Brighton Avenue.

Most beach access points will likely be at Cottage Place, North Bath Avenue, Pavilion Avenue and Morris Avenue, Woolley has said. Pier Village's beach access ramps and ones on the promenade are also ready to go for the summer.

However, the city is focusing on getting as many beaches open south of Pier Village as possible.

"The beaches south of Pier Village are where the locals go, so that's our priority," Schneider said.

Schneider said he still hopes to have lifeguards stationed in all the places they have been in the past. He said the city will also have to determine if there any exposes pilings underwater to see if swimming is allowed at certain beaches.

Visitors will likely be able walk down to the beach from the street via sand ramps, Schneider said. The sand ramps are a cheaper alternative to building wooden platforms and ramps.

He said it is also imporant to have enough access points so emergency personell can easily reach any beach.

Schneider said the city is looking to do what it can to get people on the beach this summer.

"I think we will be OK this summer, it just may not be as convenient for people as it was in the past," Schneider said. "People may have to park a little further and walk to the beach they want to go to."