State To Charge $3 Fee To Enter Park From Tices Shoal
The Lacey Reporter
by Gavin C. Rozzi · April 11, 2015Planning on getting in to Island Beach State Park via boat from Tices Shoal? Now you’ll have to pay.
The popular Tices Shoal sits on the opposite side of the Barnegat Bay from Lacey and is visited by boaters, fisherman and swimmers alike during the summer months due to it being adjacent to Island Beach State Park and the amenities it offers.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced in a statement that a $3 walk-in fee (free for children under 3-years old) will be assessed for those who enter the park at Fisherman’s Walkway adjacent to Tices Shoal while lifeguards are on duty. Access to the park by boat is only permitted at the Fisherman’s Walkway bayside access, officials said.
The fee will be used to fund additional lifeguard protection for the A-7 area of the park in the highly trafficked area during the summer months, state officials announced.
“The safety of our park visitors is our first priority,” said Richard Boornazian, DEP Assistant Commissioner of Natural and Historic Resources.
Justifying the fee, the DEP emphasized safety. “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.” he said.
The new life-guarded swimming area will be located just north of the Fisherman’s Walkway, with the goal of the new swimming area being providing space to both swimmers and anglers so the two groups don’t interfere with their respective activities.
Tices Shoal has long been a favorite of Lacey boaters, with many taking to social media to voice outrage and blasting the fee, comparing it to last year’s drama at Double Trouble State Park. Others have supported it, citing safety concerns.
https://laceyreporter.com/boaters-beware-new-fee-for-tices-shoal-beachgoers/
