OG boardwalk. November 6, 2020. Blogfinger.net
Blogfinger.net 11/20. OG boardwalk.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor, Blogfinger.net. Re-post from February 2023. The subject is topical.
When FEMA agreed to pay for the OG boardwalk after Sandy, a big fuss had been made by the CMA and the Neptuners arguing that the OG boards were, although privately owned, in essence a “public thoroughfare.”
FEMA used public disaster funds to help rebuild a public boardwalk, not a memorial park with personal plaques and floral tributes to departed individuals—even pets.
That usage, despite tradition to the contrary, should be ended. It is inappropriate and uncomfortable to some who live in or visit our town, even when the memorials are not religious. And it identifies our town in a way that is inaccurate.
OG can no longer be defined as a religious community, even though that is exactly what it was in 1869 and for perhaps 125 years more or less depending on definition, but it is not that now in 2023.
Many of those bench plaques are dedicated to the dead, although most are not religious in nature, but there are some references to the Bible. We can have separation of church and state here without compromising freedom of religion. And such memorial tributes will be present on the new pier and have been continued on the new boardwalk.
Ocean Grove, despite its unusual history and despite its historic designations, should be like other shore towns in terms of public spaces/thoroughfare uses, and that includes the parks, restraints on events by private groups (We do need a permit for a yard sale; do the CMA and Chamber need permits for their innumerable events? ) restraints on religious symbols and events, and especially the beach/boardwalk usage.
I know of a Grover who has designed a memorial to a relative in one of our largest parks consisting of a tree, flower displays, and a plaque with a religious reference.. They got permission from the CMA even though the park is managed by Neptune. What the hey? Other memorials are found in the Auditorium Park and Firemen’s Park.
Not everyone is comfortable with such memorials in public places.
A public cemetery is an appropriate place for memorials. For example, at the Mt. Prospect cemetery in Neptune there are paths and roadways and some impressive monuments, but that is fine because the only people who go there do so for a purposeful visit. Others go because cemeteries inspire them, but no one else has to go there:
A memorial at the Mt. Prospect public cemetery in Neptune. Paul Goldfinger photo. I happen to like visiting some cemeteries for the shear beauty and inspiration.
This a public park in Bradley Beach. Paul Goldfinger photo. June, 2023, across from the OG border.
A public park in Ocean Grove which is a shameful disgrace! Now it is named for a religious figure in OG’s history. Blogfinger photo.
The Bradley Beach park above is what a public park should look like: no memorials, no signs, no flowers, no religious events/symbols such as the crèche in Fireman’s Park, no dedications, well kept landscaping, no spiked iron fences, no chain locks, no dangerous plantings, no orders or threats—just a welcoming space for dog walkers, self walkers, children, families, seats in good condition, well maintained trees, and clean trash and recycling containers.
And, by the way, the Boswell Park Citizens Committee has requested landscaping, benches. lights and other essentials without any response from Neptune Township who says that they don’t have the funds, but Neptune has created fine parks at Shark River Hills and elsewhere in Neptune, but where’s our fair share?
Our parks are a disgrace, except those favored by the CMA. At Boswell Park all the CMA has done is erect this inexplicable sign which is not found to identify any other parks in town.
These days the Camp Meeting has been criticized for a variety of reasons, and this can be added to the collection.
Some may disagree with this post, but it is worth discussing when and if fair formal debates are offered regarding the CMA. Recently the CMA’s critics have been abusive. Just read the Letters to the Editor in recent editions of the Coaster or the reports at the HOA’s recent meetings.
Neptune Township should concern itself with all these issues and respond to the public, especially the much ignored community of Ocean Grove secular residents. That is their responsibility as elected representatives of We-The -People.
SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY (from Ocean Grove) “Beneath Still Waters…”
Beneath still waters
There’s a strong undertow
The surface won’t tell you
What the deep water knows