Ocean Grove beaches will be open on Sunday mornings, at least for now, pending a court decision.
This Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the season.
For 155 years the beaches have been closed on Sunday morning “to honor God,” said the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, which owns and operates the beaches.
Last fall the state Department of Environmental Protection directed the association to comply with state law and allow access to the beaches or face a $25,000 a day fine.
The camp meeting association is challenging the directive. But while waiting for the court to decide the association issued the following statement, ”Our application for an emergent stay is pending but we have no indication when an Order will be entered. We are currently compelled to comply with the NJDEP order to open the beach but have not ceased nor abandoned our quest to protect our religious and property rights.
“In the meantime, the OGCMA has decided to provide lifeguards on Sunday mornings for the safety of beachgoers. We continue to do ministry by providing opportunities for spiritual birth, growth, and renewal through worship, education, and cultural programs. As always, we welcome all to join us in “God’s Square Mile.”
Ocean Grove was founded in 1869 as a Methodist community.
Surfrider Foundation, New Jersey Chapter along with Neptune United called the beach access a huge win for beach goers.
“The sand and ocean do not discriminate on the basis of religion or other factors,” said Jeffrey Williams, Legislative Coordinator for the Surfrider Foundation Jersey Shore Chapter. “And the public’s access to the beaches of New Jersey must be open for all to enjoy, particularly during our short summer season when weekends are meant to be spent on the beach.”
Last summer the local community group Neptune United organized in opposition to the Sunday morning beach closure policy, which galvanized support from the public to end the practice.
“Neptune United is proud to have championed the issue of Sunday morning beach access in Ocean Grove,” said Shane Martins, cofounder and president of the group. “Neptune United would like to thank the NJDEP and the Surfrider Foundation for its continued commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and protecting the rights of the public. This result is another reminder that progress and positive change that benefits all people is always possible.”
The Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots environmental organization of 80 chapters, 130 youth clubs, and more than 500,000 supporters, activists, and members in the United States, dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches for all.
