Most Long Branch Beach Access Points Will be Open by Memorial Day

Many of the city's usual beach access points will be open by the start of the summer season, Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley said this week.

Woolley said most of the entrances will be open by Memorial Day, despite the fact that the city's boardwalk was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.

"We will do as much as we can by Memorial Day," Woolley said.

The city's beaches are open on weekends starting Memorial Day up until the third weekend in June, when they will be open daily.

Woolley said stairs will be installed down to the seawall and ramps will be placed from the seawall down to the beach at many points.

He said there will be access at the following beaches:

Cottage Place

North Bath Avenue

South Bath Avenue

Morris Avenue

Pavillion Avenue

Laird Street (Pier Village)

Melrose Terrace (Pier Village)

Madison Avenue

Great Lawn

There could also be access on Seaview Avenue and West End Avenue, but that will depend on how much beach is left in the area.

Woolley said beach replenishment should be coming this year for Long Branch beaches; a project that would be carried out by the Army Corps of Engineers.

"Based on my last meeting with them, they are going out to bid for Sandy Hook to Monmouth beach in June and Monmouth Beach to Takanassee Beach in July," Woolley said.

He said he is hopeful the Army Corps of Engineers will be able to start beach replenishment this year, but that there is always a chance the project could be stalled while the group "calculates the amount of fill they need."

City officials have said they will wait for sand replenishment before replacing the city's damaged boardwalk, which could be built in time for the 2014 beach season.