In the 10+ years we have been running the Wildwood 365 blog and social media accounts, we had never received more questions over a 24-hour period than we did following the announcement of the reopening of the Boardwalk.
After North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello put out the official word on Tuesday night, the emails and messages came, fast and furious. And, quite frankly, many of the queries mirrored our own curiosities and concerns.
With the weekend almost upon us (and with Memorial Day Weekend looming a mere two weeks away), we reached out to local officials to gain clarity on matters pertaining not just to the Boardwalk, but the Wildwoods’ beaches and visiting the island.
What follows is a question/answer format providing the most up-to-date information available.
Two quick notes before we dive into things:
- As with so many aspects of our lives affected by the COVID-19 crisis, the topics discussed here are fluid in nature, and subject to change daily.
- Perhaps it should go without saying at this point, but every official we talked to stressed the continued importance of social distancing and “common sense” practices (including wearing a mask) when in public, and especially when near other people.
The Boardwalk
As of Friday morning, May 8, restrictions prohibiting access to the Boardwalk will be lifted. This means that the length of the promenade will be open to the public for “recreational activity,” from 16th Avenue to Cresse Avenue (with the exception of the area immediately south of the Wildwoods Convention Center currently under reconstruction).
As of Friday morning, May 8, restrictions prohibiting access to the Boardwalk will be lifted. This means that the length of the promenade will be open to the public for “recreational activity,” from 16th Avenue to Cresse Avenue (with the exception of the area immediately south of the Wildwoods Convention Center currently under reconstruction).
What activities will be permitted?
Basically, just about anything you would normally be able to do on the Boardwalk, including walking, running, biking, etc. Congregating in large groups is dissuaded.
What will be open?
The majority of shops and stores remain closed indefinitely, with re-opening dependent upon Governor Phil Murphy’s approval. With the extension of the state’s public health emergency declaration for another 30 days, re-openings will likely not be considered until at least June 6 (and capacity allowances will almost certainly be limited for some time).
However, “essential” businesses (restaurants and food services) may continue to offer front counter takeout, curbside pick-up and delivery options.
Sam’s Pizza Palace opened for takeout and delivery two weekends ago, with the Original Hot Spot and Snow White joining them last weekend. Mack’s Pizza (Roberts Avenue location only) is set to open its counter today.
Are the amusements open?
No, Morey’s Piers remains closed at this time.
The latest official update listed Memorial Day Weekend as the target for opening. Check out Morey’s Piers COVID-19 Updates page HERE.
Are the Sightseer Tram Cars running?
No, not at this time. Expect to see an update soon.
Will restrooms be open?
Yes. Mayor Rosenello confirmed that public restrooms at 25th Avenue and Schellenger Avenue (under the Boardwalk Information Center) will be open this weekend.
The Beaches
Along with the announcement that the Boardwalk will be reopening, Mayor Rosenello noted that the beaches of Wildwood and North Wildwood will open Friday as well. However, there are still some restrictions in place, similar to those in Wildwood Crest, which opened its beaches up for recreational use last Saturday, May 2.
What activities are allowed on the beach?
Similar to recreational activities permitted on the Boardwalk, walking and running, in addition to fishing, metal detecting and surfing are approved.
What about sunbathing, sitting on chairs or laying on a beach blanket?
UPDATE - 5/7/20 @ 9:35 pm: Mayors Byron and Rosenello have both confirmed that, after careful consideration, activities including sunbathing, sitting on chairs and sitting/laying on blankets WILL be permitted on the beaches of Wildwood and North Wildwood as of tomorrow (Friday) morning. As of now, these activities remain prohibited in Wildwood Crest.
Original answer:
NO, these activities are not allowed on any of the beaches in the Wildwoods at this time.
This has probably been our most-asked question. The answer illustrates the ever-changing nature of things we noted earlier.
Wildwood Crest officials have remained firm in restricting these activities for the time being.
When we reached out to the island’s mayors on Wednesday evening, we were told that the collective understanding in Wildwood and North Wildwood was that individuals and immediate household members would likely be allowed to sit on the beach together on their town’s beaches, but that further clarification from Governor Murphy was being sought.
This morning, Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron told Fox 29: “We did have intentions on allowing for sitting on the beach, laying on the beach, things like that, and then we kind of got a nudge from [Governor Murphy] telling us that we might want to rescind that for the time being.”
Can I swim in the ocean?
No.
Local officials and beach patrols will provide further comment on this in the weeks to come.
Will the Dog Park & Beach be open this weekend?
Yes, the Wildwood Dog Park & Beach will also reopen Friday, May 8 at 9 am. Guests are asked to follow social distancing guidelines. Officials have announced no further restrictions.
Visiting the Wildwoods
With various restrictions being lifted, can I visit the Wildwoods this weekend?
The short answer is, yes, you can. But it is a bit more complicated than that.
“The stay-at-home orders from Governor Murphy are still in place and should be followed,” said Rosenello. “However, the Governor has also said that second home owners are allowed to go to their properties and that towns cannot restrict access to the town or beach to persons who do not live in the town.
“So, yes, there is a lot of confusion due to the mixed messaging.”
What about visiting over Memorial Day Weekend?
As with the subject of the beach, the answer varies slightly between Wildwood/North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest. But the overall message is the same.
Essentially, you can visit, but most functional aspects of “the season” will not begin until after the holiday weekend.
“Short term rentals will be prohibited through Memorial Day Weekend, so only seasonal tenants, second home owners and year round residents will have a place to stay,” explained Rosenello.
Added Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera: “Visitors should expect beach restrictions similar to what we have now in place. Wildwood Crest supports the county-wide proposal and its start to the season is June 1, not Memorial Day Weekend, in a slow transitional mode."
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