Paul Goldfinger photo. April 15, 2023. 500 feet long. Pier opened to the public. Click once to enlarge. Blogfinger.net. The old pier was more fun and safer.
By Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor, Blogfinger.net. Ocean Grove, NJ, USA
The new pier (open to the public 4/15/23) tolerated a large crowd of “first-timers” which tested the pilings out to 500 feet. But ironically the pier subsequently had to be shut down in December 2023 due to pilings failures.
Later it was reopened in 2024 , but no one was permitted to go past the new barricade. We understand that there is a law suit in process as to who is responsible for the malfunction.
Barricade keeps pier-goers from heading out. Paul Goldfinger photo 2024.
Here is the latest CMA announcement of October 09, 2025:
The OG Camp Meeting Association posts a “statement” that is printed in the Coaster:
The CMA announced, “After many months of detailed investigation and analysis, we are in receipt of our engineer’s report on the structural sufficiency of the pier addition. Regrettably, we have been advised by our engineers that the pier extension may not be structurally sound enough to be used safely.
“Accordingly, the end of the pier will continue to be closed for the foreseeable future while we pursue remedial options. Thank you for your patience.”
“A Gaelic Blessing” The Cambridge Singers and John Rutter.
Speaking of ironies, Blogfinger is the only publication devoted to Ocean Grove since 2009.
We posted the most articles supporting the CMA’s quest for FEMA funding, and we have posted the most articles about the pier and its issues.
We have always been supportive of the CMA as it dealt with a variety of controversial matters such as the 2007 accusations of discrimination and other concerns.
We have always promoted their activities including many concerts and shows in the Auditorium. We never charged them for advertising.
But now that they have an official announcement regarding the pier, they send it to the Coaster.
There are many incidences when we at Blogfinger have helped them, and it always was free. In fact, Blogfinger made a few thousand dollars for the boardwalk fund raiser in the form of our two film festivals.
Yet we have never received any recognition from them for our activities.
At least they could have given us an edge for their news announcements.
The only time that happened was in 2012 when I worked with their temporary director to help with FEMA and report on their Sandy issues, and he promised to give us the first announcements for the press, but his policy was not continued after he left.
Blogfinger is approaching our 5 millionth hit and over 5,000th post since our founding, and during that time we have continued reporting on the CMA.
When Michael Badger was President of the CMA he was open with the press and with us. But now, I bet that most Grovers do not know the current President’s name.
The CMA should acknowledge their friends.
Paul Goldfinger, MD, Editor Blogfinger.net