Beach Re-Opening Date in Toms River Still Unknown

Though Toms River officials plan to have the township's beach accessible for summer 2013, it remains unclear just when it will open for the season. 

A portion of Ortley Beach is expected to be open for recreation this summer after Superstorm Sandy caused considerable damage in the area. An exact date for its reopening still hasn't been locked down by officials. 

"We’re making a concerted effort to get a portion of the beach open," said Mayor Thomas Kelaher. "We do not have a target date yet because some issues depend upon Mother Nature."

The current plan, which Toms River Recreation Director Jared Tate said in March remains "a changing situation," allows for a section of the north beach between approximately 2nd and 5th Avenues to be accessible during the summer of 2013. 

"Right now, that's the plan to be our beach," Tate said during a March 25 Recreation Committee. 

The southern portion of the beach "isn't going to have that accessibility," Tate said then, given the condition of the roadway and beach structures in the area.

Lifeguards will be stationed at the beach, but "to a lesser extent than last year," according to Tate. "So one of the things we're working out now is staffing."

Ortley Beach's boardwalk was lost to Sandy and is in the process of being rebuilt. According to the township, it may be ready in mid-August, though that timeframe remains "subject to favorable weather conditions."

Reconstruction work is moving ahead on the Lord House, since a plan was already in place to rehabilitate that lifeguard headquarters and public restroom before Sandy struck. The township will be considering options with respect to the reconstruction of the Block House once work is underway for the Lord House, officials have said.

"We are planning on having the parking lot ready," Tate said last month. "We're hoping that people will still come out to see Ortley Beach."