A message on Spring Lake's
website says they have stopped selling seasonal badges because they already
reached the numbers from the summer of 2020.
The argument made by some is
there are no uniform rules set in place by
the town on how many people are
allowed on each beach.
Photos from last summer show Spring Lake sold out, despite the beaches
being empty. Badges went on sale last month and quickly sold out. Daily badges
are usually made available, in addition to the seasonal badges, and depending
on rules set forth by Gov. Phil Murphy, additional seasonal badges could still
be made available depending on the severity of the coronavirus pandemic.
Belmar resident Bill McKim says
there should be some uniform policy, so one beach doesn't end up with overflow
crowds from neighboring towns.
According to the town's
website, badges for the Spring Lake pools and lockers will be going on sale
during the early part of the year.
In Bradley Beach, summer
seasonal beach badges are still on sale coming off a banner 2020 season.
Belmar officials say they had record beach badge sales last summer and
fears of widespread coronavirus outbreaks never materialized. In most cases,
the towns control each of their beaches, meaning, they have to set their own
guidelines -- which could vary from each municipality to the next.
John Weber, who is not only a Bradley Beach councilmember but also
represents the Surfrider Foundation, says you have to balance COVID-19 safety
protocols with the public trust doctrine, which is a law enforcing equal beach
access to all.
Spring
lake officials say while they sold out of seasonal badges, thousands more for
the pavilions and lockers have yet to go on sale. Daily badges will also be
available this summer.