05/01/2013
Thrilled that Sandy Hook is opening tomorrow after being closed for six long months due to the storm.
Information from the Gateway National Recreation Area:
The gates will open at 5 A.M. to accommodate fishing. Maps of fishing areas are posted on Gateway’s website: http://www.nps.gov/gate/planyourvisit/fishing-maps.htm. Beach F, a favorite spot for fishers, will be accessible by walking up the coast from Beach E.
Beach parking is free until Memorial Day weekend, when beach parking will again cost $15 per day. The park will open all parking areas on May 1st, and is intending to open the beach centers on Memorial Day weekend. Beach parking permits will go on sale beginning May 1st at 9 A.M. at the front gate. Beach parking permits cost $75 for the season, the same as last year.
Beaches B, Gunnison and North will be open to the public. North and Gunnison are lifeguard-protected beaches from Memorial Day through Labor Day during the hours of 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. Beach B is not lifeguard protected. Beaches C, D, and E will also be guarded during the summer season. While the sewage system undergoes repair, beach centers will use portable toilets.
Like the rest of the New Jersey coast, the recovery of Sandy Hook is still a work in progress. Electric, telephone, water and sewage services were all incapacitated by storm. These services are largely but not entirely restored. Throughout the summer, the park will continue to rehabilitate damaged beach centers, sections of the multi-use path and other affected areas. Details are still being worked out for food service but it will be limited for the summer. Ray’s Bike Rentals will be returning to Sandy Hook again this summer, however bikes will only be available for rent at Fort Hancock. The Visitor Center at Spermaceti Cove was one of several buildings damaged by the hurricane and will remain closed at this time.