State Opens New Swimming Area With Lifeguards At Island Beach State Park

by Patricia A. Miller

Visitors to Island Beach State Park will soon have three guarded bathing beaches to choose from this summer when they want to take a dip in the ocean or lie in the sun.

The state Department of Environmental Protection announced today that the third guarded swimming area will be located about four miles past the park entrance, to the north of the recently reconstructed Fisherman’s Walkway access point, state officials said.

The new bathing area can also be accessed bayside by boaters from nearby Tices Shoal in the Barnegat Bay, who will be able to enter the park from a new entry point on the west side of the walkway for a $3 fee.

“The safety of our park visitors is our first priority,” said Richard Boornazian, DEP Assistant Commissioner of Natural and Historic Resources. “Emergencies in unguarded sections of the park often results in compromised lifeguard resources at our main pavilion areas where swimming is permitted. So providing this additional protection at the popular A-7 section will benefit all users of the park.”