Local Volunteers Participate in Fall Dune Planting at Ortley Beach

A dedicated group of volunteers help in keeping the sandy shores of Ortley Beach filled with dune grass, thanks to their bi-annual efforts. If one is looking for some to thank for the beaches’ terrific appearance each year, look no further than “The Ortley Circle Group.”

Through the Toms River Township Department of Recreation, the group’s fall dune grass planting was held at the township’s beach, according to a press release from Toms River's Public Information Officer, Debbi Winogracki.

“The purpose is to get the community involved with building up our dunes and protecting our beaches. With the recent storms of the past two winters, these programs are even more important,” said Eric J. Schubiger, director of recreation.

Schubiger added, “I’m happy to see a good number of people come out on a cold fall day and help protect our beach. These sand dunes will provide much-needed protection against the damaging coastal storms and help guard the inland areas from flooding.”

Winogracki provided that dune grass protects the beach surface by reducing the speed of wind across its surface; in effect, reducing its intensity along the sand. Making the arrangement even more convenient is that dune grass can both grow directly in the sandy beaches and does not require maintenance to grow and flourish.

Paula Mount, a Toms River resident and member of The Ortley Circle Group said, “I’ve been sitting on this beach forever. We dedicated a sign to a friend a few years ago, and we feel like this is our dedicated area, so we’re here twice a year to contribute to protecting the dunes. A few years ago, a storm took our sign away, so we need to restore this area.”

Winogracki added in her press release that when the bi-annual plantings take place, interested volunteers meet at the Ortley Beach Lifeguard Headquarters and collect a bundled supply of dune grass to bring to any section of the dunes that require more planting.