News
Sales Of Season Passes Grow But Winter Takes Its Toll In SB
By Ryan Fennell
SEA BRIGHT - The practice of selling season passes to the borough beach at half-price during the off-season has been a tremendous success for the borough.
The idea first proposed by Councilwoman Dina Long was adopted by the governing body during the winter of 2009.
In 2008 Sea Bright issued 307 season beach passes. After the pre-season half price sales began in 2009, the borough sold 716 season passes, increasing annual revenue by $12,600.
As a result of that success, the council approved the continuation of the program last September.
According to Long, 718 season beach passes have already been purchased for the 2010 beach season - more than the borough has sold in any other year. This year, with more than a month remaining until the season official begins - sales of season passes have already generated $35,900. "We not only broke the record, we obliterated it," Long said.
The record-breaking season pass sale has occurred in a year when beachfronts throughout New Jersey suffered significantly from several major winter storms.
"We are optimistic that sustained west winds will blow all spring and return some sand to our beach," Long said. "We've been told by Congressman Pallone not to expect any (federal) help in the form of beach replenishment, at least not this year."
U.S. Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6) informed Long and Mayor Maria Fernandes that if funding became available for beach replenishment the Army Corp. of Engineers would continue replenishing the beaches from the point at which they stopped, just south of Pier Village in Long Branch.
During that meeting, officials also explored the idea of creating an artifical reef in Sea Bright.
"It's definitely an idea that's been proposed to the mayor and I and we are very interested in finding out more to evaluate if that's a realistic option for Sea Bright," Long said.
Long noted that some sand has returned to the beaches since the winter ended.
"It's a lot better than it was after the storms were over," Long said. "There's room for people. There's just not as much room as they might have enjoyed in previous years."
Sea Bright's Beach Committee continues to do its part to ensure an enjoyable summer season for residents and visitors.
A planned borough-wide volunteer effort to replant dune grass and install dune fencing was rained out last weekend but has been rescheduled for Sunday May 2 at 9 a.m.
Dunes Day, as the Borough Council has dubbed it, is an attempt to replenish the borough's beaches through an all-volunteer effort. The borough has also made snow fencing available for homeowners with beachfront property who wish to repair their own dunes.
Long said that several residents have started work on their beaches and residents whose homes are located across the street from the beach in the northern end of town have already begun replanting dune grass and installing dune fencing.
