Daily Beach Badges Increase in Price

Day trippers will pay more for a daily beach badge to use Toms River’s beaches on weekdays and weekends.

Tonight the Township Council voted unanimously to raise the price of its daily beach badges by $2.

This year’s beach badge fees are:

• $35 for a season badge, bought before Memorial Day.
• $50 for a season badge, bought after Memorial Day (price increased $5).
• $25 for a weekly beach badge.
• $8 for a daily beach badge for a weekend or holiday.
• $7 for a daily beach badge during the week.

The badges permit beachgoers on the Ortley Beach ocean beach and the Shelter Cove bayfront beach.

Two Ortley Beach residents spoke during the ordinance’s public hearing. While one resident wondered how the cost of Joey Harrison’s beach front compared in price to Ortley, resident Ken Langdon of the Ortley Beach Liaison Committee thanked the council for its work amending the fees.

“We have over years fallen behind. We’ve become the least expensive beach, up and down the coast,” Landgon said. “Many people are going to thank you. With this increase in price, we’re more competitive, if you will.”

Langdon said the beach is still a value. “It’s still the best price: free parking, free bathrooms.”

Councilman George Wittmann originally voted no when the ordinance was up for its first reading at the previous council meeting.

“Upon further review I agree with the ordinance and vote yes,” Wittmann said.