Hurricane-Damaged Seven Presidents Park Will Be Ready for Summer

After suffering several damages from Hurricane Sandy, Seven Presidents Park in Long Branch will be ready in time for this summer.

A release from the Monmouth County Parks System states that the park will be ready and lifeguards will be on duty weekends and Memorial Day starting Saturday, May 25 and daily starting Saturday, June 15.

Monmouth County Park System Public Information Officer Karen Livingstone said the park's rehabilitation is going smoothly and that all repairs should be completed soon.

"We want people to know that we are back," Livingstone said. "The staff has been working very hard to restore the park."

Livingstone said the dunes which were washed out by Hurricane Sandy have already been replaced and that dune grass has been planted.

"The boardwalk near the pavilion was damaged in some parts and our staff is working on repairing that now too," she said.

She said the park's skateplex, which was filled with water and sand from the hurricane, will be "up and running by April."

However, the skating rink, which was used for inline skating and hockey, will not be reopened, Livingstone said.

"That was destroyed and we're not looking to rebuild it," Livingstone said. "We're not sure what we're going to do there now."

Season beach badges and parking passes for Seven Presidents Park will be available at the Monmouth County Park System Headquarters, Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, starting Wednesday, March 20. Headquarter hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday, through June 28. All sales must be done in person and can be paid with cash, check or credit card.

Seasonal beach badges and parking passes will also be available at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park Pavilion, starting Saturday, May 11. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends and Memorial Day. They will be available daily starting Saturday, June 15. Purchases at Seven Presidents Park must be paid with cash or check.

Season beach badges cost $45 for ages 13-17; $65 for adults 18 to 64; and $25 for adults 65 and older. Season parking passes are $65.  Season badges are effective until September 2.

Weekday beach fees are $7 for individuals 18 years old and over; those 17 and under are free. On weekends and holidays, the fee is $7 for individuals 13 years old and over; those 12 and under are free. The cost of a daily parking pass is $7.

For more information about Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com or call (732) 842-4000.