Toms River Getting $1 Million For Ortley Beach Boardwalk Repairs
When people think of Toms River, a boardwalk is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. After all, the boardwalk is across the Mathis Bridge in Seaside Heights. However, any longtime Toms River resident knows we do have a boardwalk of our own. In Ortley Beach. The Ortley boardwalk is the responsibility of Toms River. Now, the township has been awarded a $1 million grant by the state for repairs to the boardwalk structures and access in Ortley Beach.
According to a news release from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the award is part of $100 million in grants awarded to communities along the Jersey Shore to address critical needs for township boardwalks. Furthermore, Toms River is one of 18 towns to receive the grant funding. The news release goes on to state that this funding aims to help Jersey Shore communities remain vibrant tourism destinations in the long term. They will do so by investing in state-of-the-art materials that increase storm resiliency and ensure longer lasting infrastructure. Super Storm Sandy destroyed the Ortley Boardwalk in 2013. Since that rebuild, the area has seen its beach access ramps repeatedly damaged by nor’easters and other strong storms. These have caused further erosion of the beach.
Hurricane Sandy
An Expansion Plan Is In The Works As Well.
In a move that many of us feel is long overdue, the news release also announced there are plans to extend the boardwalk to the former Joey Harrison’s Surf Club property. That parcel of land has been preserved as open space through the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Blue Acres program.
ORTLEY BEACH, NJ – NOVEMBER 25: The poplular Surf Club was partially demolished by Superstorm Sandy on November 25, 2012 in Ortley Beach. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Part of the destroyed Surf Club still remains since Sandy took it out back in 2013. Meanwhile, Toms River and the NJDEP have been working out details on how that piece of property will be configured.
Moreover, the $100 million Boardwalk Preservation Fund is made possible through federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Corona Virus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. These funds have been dedicated to economic recovery and revitalization projects across New Jersey.
Lastly, Toms River is receiving $1,018,441 according to the recent announcement, and all grant funds must be obligated by Dec. 31, 2024. Furthermore, they must be expended by the grant recipients by Dec, 31, 2026. So get ready for some upgrades to Ortley’s boards over then next couple of years!
The following are the Boardwalk Preservation Fund grant recipients:
| Grant Recipient | Award Amount |
| Asbury Park | $20,000,000 |
| Atlantic City | $20,000,000 |
| Belmar Borough | $1,504,184 |
| Berkeley Township | $448,125 |
| Bradley Beach | $4,275,000 |
| Brigantine | $1,185,838 |
| Cape May City | $6,722,552 |
| Carteret Borough | $2,417,339 |
| Keyport Borough | $800,694 |
| Long Branch | $3,249,000 |
| North Wildwood | $10,259,827 |
| Ocean City | $4,859,175 |
| Sea Isle City | $1,997,000 |
| Seaside Heights | $4,795,362 |
| Toms River | $1,018,441 |
| Ventnor | $7,110,689 |
| Wildwood City | $8,269,013 |
| Wildwood Crest Borough | $1,087,425 |
ALSO SEE: This Legendary Toms River Bar Is Expanding
