Seaside Park will not accept Berkeley Township badges in 2026
Seaside Park Mayor John Peterson confirmed to News 12 Berkeley Township badges will not be accepted at the gate.
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With less than two weeks remaining before many New Jersey beaches begin charging, what happened to all those Berkeley Township badges for a beach that’s now a part of Seaside Park?
You’ll now need a new badge for your summer fun.
Badge sales in Seaside Park are picking up. But imagine paying twice for the same beach.
“We bought I think eight badges. We normally get eight a year and just waiting for them to reimburse us,” said Bart Zucosky.
“We purchased 21 badges for a check for $1,050 to Berkeley Township and now they’re holding my money,” said Mary Zaletski.
Mary and Bart both live in Seaside Park, which was formerly known as Berkeley Township. They both purchased badges for the public White Sands Beach in Seaside Park – before the annexation.
On April 7, the section of Berkeley Township on the barrier island became Seaside Park. Gone were the trash bins, boardwalk benches - and Berkeley Township beach badges.
“We’re all just trying to figure out...so I spent my $50 on my one beach badge. Now, I have to go to Seaside Park and spend $65,” said Zaletski.
Seaside Park Mayor John Peterson confirmed to News 12 Berkeley Township badges will not be accepted at the gate. Former employees at the Berkeley Township beach will be returning, according to the mayor.
“All of those who were formerly employed down in what had been South Seaside Park and now Seaside Park are welcome and have been applying for any and all positions,” said Mayor Peterson.
But beachgoers will need Seaside Park badges, which are now on sale at the lifeguard headquarters.
“You could say growing pains, but they could have handled it a lot better,” said Zucosky.
Berkeley Township leaders say they are still waiting for official word from Seaside Park that their badges will not be accepted. Refunds will be discussed at Berkeley’s next council meeting Monday night
