Repairs are going on at the Ocean Grove boardwalk just south of the Pavilion. Nancy Hoffman, the Camp Meeting Association’s chief administrator, says by the end of this year the CMA will have replaced almost the entire boardwalk except for the extreme north end, where a redevelopment project is planned.
Another major piece of repair work, possibly to begin next fall, will be replacement of nine 60-foot pilings ripped away from the fishing pier by Hurricane Irene. The CMA has applied for FEMA funding, Hoffman said. — CL
Photos by Mary Walton
Is it possible to “adopt a spot” up in the North End? I would put my own money into installing a makeshift garden somewhere, or at least a planter.
I’m pretty sure the big white building on the boardwalk and the restaurant are privately owned.
The west end of Lake has actually gotten pretty nice. People have been taking care of the landscaping, bushes have been cut down, looks nice. Just the campground’s part from the eastern bridge to the ocean is a mess! And the white building on the boardwalk would be on the derelict house list if it were privately owned! Bad enough that AP isn’t getting the Power Plant and Casino fixed up; we have our own little junkyard on our side!
Honestly, the worst area of Ocean Grove is Lake Ave. Uneven and broken sidewalks, poor lighting, bad access, overgrown shrubbery,, just not a safe place. Ive seen the grey shirt Specials walking there at night, and i spoke to one who was recording the broken streetlight locations and even he said its the worst part of his beat.
No developer will invest in the North End for at least 3 years. That is the projected time (2015) that the housing market will BEGIN its recovery. A developer may be willing to invest in the early stage of the next housing cycle, or maybe they will wait another couple of years (2017). Either way, it’s long enough that all the ugliness up there cannot be entirely ignored. Can’t the CMA make some small investments, like planting some grass, fixing the boardwalk, and putting in some planters? For example, the huge dirt lot looks terrible. Maybe they could plant a few trees and some benches/grass. Probably for $20K, they could make it look a lot better for the next 3-5 years until the developers begin.
Charles or Paul – I think it is known who has development rights for the North End. Is it possible to ask the developer(s) when they think they may begin to work? Or maybe someone at OGCMA knows. Thanks! This blog is awesome!
Let’s look on the bright side. Maybe the shabby condition of the north end boardwalk will keep all of those headed to Asbury from parking in OG. Doubtful…but just a thought.
Have to agree with Ogrover, North End is really looking shabby, Boardwalk is beat up, building is open to the elements, trash, dumpsters, sidewalk along the lake caving in, It could be 5-7 years before anything happens up there!
Home owner for over 30 years..
It’s about time. They patch here and there and it puts our town to shame when all others in our area look beautiful. What happens to the money we spend on beach badges? I started paying $30 per year and now it is up to $70. .shame shame on the OGCMA. Another area they should fix is the walkway between AP and OG on Wesley. It has been broken for about 10 years. The town indicated that it was the property of the Association.
Oldtimer, I agree that it might seem a bit of an extravagance, but I have often held my breath as kids go running down the boardwalk; I have visions of splinters the size of planks finding their way into little feet. And many of the boards were rough and splintered. I know times are tough, but I’m kind of glad this project was done. And good maintenance is always better than after-the-fact repairs.
OK, I know a North End redevelopment is planned, but when? Do we have to wait for it to begin before something is done with the boardwalk? Have you tried to walk on it up there? It’s in horrible shape! Loose boards, trip hazards aplenty, splinters large enough to penetrate sneakers and flip-flops, exposed nails and fasteners, etc. Seems like it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Was the boardwalk really in such bad shape that its entire length had to be replaced? It seemed OK to me and I walked the entire length this past Saturday. Not new, but serviceable. I’m glad the CMA has money to throw around.