Beach tag

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Beach tag from Ocean City, New Jersey Ocean City NJ beach tag August 2020.jpeg
Beach tag from Ocean City, New Jersey
A sign telling visitors that beach tags are required in order to use Cape May, New Jersey's beaches. Capebeachtags.jpg
A sign telling visitors that beach tags are required in order to use Cape May, New Jersey's beaches.

A beach tag (also beach badge, beach pass, or beach token) is an admission pass that must be purchased to access a beach. It is commonly associated with the Jersey Shore in the U.S. state of New Jersey, where many communities restrict summer beach access to residents and visitors who pay a fee for a daily, weekly, or seasonal pass. Beaches with a beach-tag program use the proceeds to offset the maintenance and staffing costs associated with running a beach, such as funding lifeguards, restrooms, and trash removal. [1]

Contents

History

Beach tags for New Jersey beaches can be traced back to 1937 when some towns in the northern portion of the Jersey Shore such as Seaside Heights had brass beach badges marked by gender. Surf City on Long Beach Island started requiring beach tags in 1967. [2] Stone Harbor became the first municipality in the southern portion of the Jersey Shore to require beach tags in 1971, and Sea Isle City followed suit in 1972. In Ocean City, beach tags were implemented in 1976, although discussions for beach fees in the city date back to the 1930s. [3] Long Beach Township on Long Beach Island approved beach tags on November 5, 1976. [2] In 2021, the Cape May County municipalities of Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Upper Township - four of the five municipalities in New Jersey which do not have beach tags - were considering implementing them. [3]

Pricing

Daily, weekly, and seasonal tags can usually be purchased at participating beaches, [1] and each municipality sets its own rates and policies. Beaches typically do not charge for children under the age of 12 and may offer discounts to seniors. [1] In certain municipalities, discounts are given for seasonal passes purchased before a specific date (e.g., May 15 in Seaside Heights, New Jersey [4] ).

The beach tag offered by one municipality may not grant access to beaches in other municipalities. For example, Long Beach Island, which is about twenty miles long, comprises six municipalities, each with its own beach tags, and beach-goers cannot purchase a tag in one Long Beach Island municipality and use it in another. [1] [5]

Criticism

The goals of beach tags, or tokens, are to either restrict the beach to only community members, or to generate user fees for lifeguards and maintenance (e.g., trash removal). On the Jersey Shore, beach tags are controversial because the public trust doctrine generally gives the public the right to access the intertidal zone, [6] [7] and guests may feel that a beach with beach tags should offer a superior service to free beaches. [1] Additionally, detractors debate whether beach tags are actually to restrict beach use to people who are paying visitors of hotels, beach house rentals, and local residents. [1]

Proponents of beach tags suggest that they improve the cleanliness and safety of the beaches, making the tag fees akin to user fees that prevent freeloading. [8] In addition, proponents note that the beaches which require beach tags are those located in smaller municipalities, which because of beach tags are permitted to offer a similar product to the larger municipalities. [1]

New Jersey municipalities that do not require beach tags

The following municipalities did not require beach tags as of the 2015 beach season: [1]

Other places

In Evanston, Illinois, "beach tokens" may be required for entrance to the beach for people and even pets. [9] The beach tokens are often made of metal or other durable material, to enable them to withstand swimming. The bearer may either carry them, or wear them around their neck or on their swimsuit. [10]

The Village of Island Park and the city of Long Beach in Nassau County, New York issue beach tags for the use of their beaches. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape May County, New Jersey</span> County in New Jersey, United States

Cape May County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Much of the county is located on the Cape May peninsula, bound by the Delaware Bay to its west and the Atlantic Ocean to its south and east. Adjacent to the Atlantic coastline are five barrier islands that have been built up as seaside resorts. A consistently popular summer destination with 30 miles (48 km) of beaches, Cape May County attracts vacationers from New Jersey and surrounding states, with the summer population exceeding 750,000. Tourism generates annual revenues of about $6.6 billion as of 2018, making it the county's single largest industry. The associated leisure and hospitality industries are Cape May's largest employers. Its county seat is the Cape May Court House section of Middle Township. The county is part of the Jersey Shore region of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Margate City, New Jersey</span> City in Atlantic County, New Jersey, US

Margate City is a city situated on the Jersey Shore on Absecon Island, within Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey, on the Atlantic Ocean shoreline. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 5,317, a decrease of 1,037 (−16.3%) from the 2010 census count of 6,354, which in turn had reflected a decline of 1,839 (−22.4%) from the 8,193 counted in the 2000 census. Geographically, the city, and all of Atlantic County, is part of the South Jersey region of the state and of the Atlantic City-Hammonton metropolitan statistical area, which in turn is included in the Philadelphia-Reading-Camden combined statistical area and the Delaware Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Wildwood, New Jersey</span> City in Cape May County, New Jersey, US

North Wildwood is a city located on the Jersey Shore in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The city, and all of Cape May County, is part of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's population was 3,621, a decrease of 420 (−10.4%) from the 2010 census count of 4,041, which in turn reflected a decline of 894 (−18.1%) from the 4,935 counted in the 2000 census. North Wildwood is home to the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ocean City, New Jersey</span> City in Cape May County, New Jersey, US

Ocean City is a city in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the principal city of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, which encompasses all of Cape May County, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area. It is part of the South Jersey region of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strathmere, New Jersey</span> Populated place in Cape May County, New Jersey, US

Strathmere is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) located within Upper Township in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the CDP's population was 137, a decrease of 21 (−13.3%) from the 158 counted at the 2010 U.S. census, which reflected a decrease of 17 (−9.7%) from the 175 enumerated at the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildwood, New Jersey</span> City in Cape May County, New Jersey, US

Wildwood is a city in Cape May County in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The city, and all of Cape May County, is part of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the city's year-round population was 5,157, a decrease of 168 (−3.2%) from the 2010 census count of 5,325, which in turn reflected a decline of 111 (−2.0%) from the 5,436 counted in the 2000 census. A popular Jersey Shore resort destination, the population can swell to 250,000 during the summer. Wildwood was the first city in New Jersey to have a female mayor, Doris W. Bradway, who was ousted in a 1938 recall election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildwood Crest, New Jersey</span> Borough in Cape May County, New Jersey, US

Wildwood Crest is a borough in Cape May County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The borough, and all of Cape May County, is part of the Ocean City metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the Philadelphia-Wilmington-Camden, PA-NJ-DE-MD combined statistical area, also known as the Delaware Valley or Philadelphia metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 3,101, a decrease of 169 (−5.2%) from the 2010 census count of 3,270, which in turn reflected a decline of 710 (−17.8%) from the 3,980 counted in the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seaside Heights, New Jersey</span> Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, US

Seaside Heights is a borough situated on the Jersey Shore, within Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 2,440, a decrease of 447 (−15.5%) from the 2010 census count of 2,887, which in turn had reflected a decline of 268 (−8.5%) from the 3,155 counted in the 2000 census. Seaside Heights is located on the Barnegat Peninsula, a long, narrow barrier peninsula that separates Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. During the summer, the borough attracts a crowd largely under the age of 21, drawn to a community with boardwalk entertainment and one of the few shore communities with sizable numbers of apartments, attracting as many as 65,000 people who are often out until early morning visiting bars and restaurants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jersey Shore</span> Coastal region of the U.S. state of New Jersey

The Jersey Shore is the coastal region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. Geographically, the term encompasses about 141 miles (227 km) of oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May Point in the south. The region includes Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties, which are in the central and southern parts of the state. Located in the center of the Northeast Megalopolis, the northern half of the shore region is part of the New York metropolitan area, while the southern half of the shore region is part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area, also known as the Delaware Valley. The Jersey Shore hosts the highest concentration of oceanside boardwalks in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape May</span> Cape at the southern most point of New Jersey

Cape May consists of a peninsula and barrier island system in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is roughly coterminous with Cape May County and runs southwards from the New Jersey mainland, separating Delaware Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. The southernmost point in both New Jersey and the northeastern United States lies on the cape. A number of resort communities line the Atlantic side of the cape, including Ocean City, the most populous community on the cape, The Wildwoods, known for its architecturally significant hotel district, and the city of Cape May, which has served as a resort community since the mid-1700s, making it the oldest such resort in the U.S.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Beach Island</span> Barrier island in Ocean County, New Jersey, US

Long Beach Island is a barrier island and summer colony along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, on the Jersey Shore. Aligned north to south, the northern portion generally has more expensive low-density housing, whereas the southern portion possesses higher-density housing and considerable commercial development. Long Beach Island is 1-2 miles away from Mainland New Jersey. The primary industries include tourism, fishing, and real estate. The only access point to the island by land is a single causeway. The island is the southernmost point of the New York Metropolitan Area.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Wildwoods</span> Group of five communities in Cape May County, New Jersey, United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fascination (game)</span> American amusement park game

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barnegat Peninsula</span>

The Barnegat Peninsula, also known as the Island Beach Peninsula or Barnegat Bay Island and colloquially as "the barrier island", is a 20-mile (32 km) long, narrow barrier peninsula located on the Jersey Shore in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States, that divides the Barnegat Bay from the Atlantic Ocean. It is a vacation destination and summer colony area and is heavily dependent on tourism, real estate and fishing.

The Seaside Heights School District is a community public school district for students in kindergarten through sixth grade from Seaside Heights, in Ocean County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The district's board of education is made up of five members, each elected to three-year terms.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Jersey legislative districts, 2011 apportionment</span>

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "New Jersey Shore Guide: What Are Beach Tags?". visitnjshore.com. February 5, 2015. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  2. 1 2 Weaver, Donna (May 25, 2009). "History of New Jersey beach badges is murkier than tides". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Barlow, Bill (January 29, 2021). "Wildwood towns consider beach fees". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  4. "Beach Information". Seaside Heights. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2011-03-01.
  5. "2023 LBI Beach Badge Information". welcometolbi.com. 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  6. Polis, Robert and McRae, Leslie. Back to the Beach: Bob Polis looks at surprising issues for beachgoers and beach property owners Archived July 16, 2011, at the Wayback Machine , December 1, 2005.
  7. Degener, Richard. Ruling expands access to beaches, Atlantic City Press, May 21, 2004.
  8. Smith, Shaun (November 17, 2010). "Commissioners at odds over raising beach tag fees". Shore News Today. Archived from the original on 2010-11-29. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
  9. "?". City of Evanston. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  10. "?". City of Evanston. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  11. "Beach Park Info". City of Long Beach.