Should New Jersey beaches be free this summer? Benjamin, Jae ’Vani’ and Minnie Prince of Neptune say, “We think they should be free because they received so much federal money to fix them up. So much work went in to it, it would be nice if people could come down and see the beautiful work that was done and they didn’t have to pay. And we love Asbury Park. It would be nice if people came down to see the wonderful job they’ve done.”
To find out what other Shore residents think, click any thumbnail image below for their answers…
Bill Stryker, Asbury Park & Erica Starosielec, Rahway – We think there’s two sides to the story. It would be nice to be free, but we need to give back to the shore towns that spent so much to rebuild. It’s not that much to enjoy the beach and give back.
Melissa Solano, Eatontown – That’s a tough question. I’m not too sure. We’re used to having to pay for the beaches. But, maybe, with all we’ve been through at the shore, they should be free – just for this summer. Let’s pay next year, but this year should be free. Plus, we need the tourism. Bring people back to New Jersey.
Judy Lo Bianco, Neptune City – Yes, they should be free to be enjoyed by all – like most of the coastline across the country. Not every family can afford to go to the beach. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could right here at the beautiful jersey shore. There are things that are much more valuable than money, like spending time with family.
George Murphy, Neptune City – No, no one should have to pay to get on the beach. Everyone should do their part to keep the beach clean, but it should be free. It’s God’s gift to mankind and we should all just enjoy it. It is our responsibility to take care of it as well.
Sharyn Mooney, Avon – I have a theory on that. There’s no such thing as a free beach. I just came back from Florida, the beach was free, but you had to pay 10 dollars to park. In Avon, the parking is free, it’s a nine dollar beach badge. Either way, you pay. Who’s paying the lifeguards? The clean-up crews?
Desly Getty, Asbury Park -I think we need to bring back the tourists. The media hype saying that the beaches are in disarray and not much for the tourists to do, has hurt business. We really need to bring them back, we have to make them want to come back.
Kristina Flynn, Asbury Park – Yes, I do. To me the beach is like church and you shouldn’t have to pay to go to church. I permanently disagree with paying to go on the beach. It’s like our backyard. You can’t own the beach.
Scott Elk, Ocean – You can look at it two ways. You need money to rebuild. I think people would want to spend money to help rebuild. I’m pretty strong on the paying for it. People who come down to the shore will feel like donating for the rebuilding.
Mike Dagnese, Ocean – I’d say yes to that. I’m originally from Mass. and they were free and I enjoyed that.I think they covered it with parking and concessions.
Anthony Chick, Bradley Beach – Absolutely, always. I heard that Bradley Beach was the first beach in the country to start charging people to get on the beach. It’s a shame that you have to pay to get on a natural resource. The juice not worth the squeeze. You have to pay to park. It’s totally over populated. You have to pay to get on the beach. You can’t afford to live here. It’s a joke.
Mark Chesley, Asbury Park – It’s hard to say. I’d like to see it for free, for the residents. But at the same time, you need to pay people to maintain the beach. I hate to say it, but it is necessary. Give the public works department a raise. No life guards, no crew to clean – not a good idea.
Chris Bianco w/Ella, Red Bank – Absolutely, because of all the hardship New Jersey endured during Sandy. New Jersey should give back. We took a lot of federal money. It’s not much, but it would be nice to share. How about forever? You shouldn’t have to pay to be on the beach. It’s part of nature.
Rob Acerra, Oakhurst – I think that in a perfect world, they should be free, but they need to be kept clean and safe. If you want people to come back, charge a small amount to keep the beaches first class – the best in the nation.
