A new kayak launch being built in Ortley Beach. (Credit: OBVTA)
Toms River officials will relocate the township’s kayak launch in Ortley Beach this season to Bayside Park, along Bay Boulevard, from its previous location at two leased boat slips at the Docksider Marina, adjacent to the condominium complex of the same name.
Construction on the new launch began this week, drawing both praise and some criticism online from residents, however township officials say the new location will provide a roomier place for people to launch their kayaks and will not – as rumor had it – prevent people from viewing the sunset at the park once completed.
Mayor Dan Rodrick said the new kayak racks will feature 48 compartments, in which 96 kayaks can be stored, versus just 12 at the Docksider. He said his office received a total of four complaints about the location of the new racks, but the majority of residents he’s spoken to have supported the idea, which was modeled after the kayak racks at Belmar’s municipal marina. He also said the setup at Bayside Park would be more inclusive than at the Docksider.
“It was $12,000 and there were two parking spaces,” Rodrick said. “You had to walk down a ridiculous ramp carrying a kayak, which was not good for kids or the elderly either. It wasn’t the best configuration, where Bayside Park is a beach and directly on the bayfront – and it’s a beautiful calm area to kayak.”
Dispelling online rumors, “The benches and the area where people watch the sunset are not obstructed at all,” he said.
Docksider Marina and Bayside Park, along Bay Boulevard, Ortley Beach, N.J. (Credit: Google Maps)
Kayak racks in Belmar, N.J., on which Ortley Beach’s racks are based. (Photo: Belmar, NJ Government)
After the online hubbub, which Rodrick said may have had some political motivations, he contacted the Ortley Beach Voters and Taxpayers Association and re-sent plans that had been shared with the group last year. The OBVTA sent out an e-mail Thursday afternoon expressing a favorable view of the project.
“When we first talked about a kayak launch several years ago, Bayside was our preferred location,” Anthony Colucci, the group’s president, wrote in the e-mail. “We agreed this [was] the best site for the launch available in Ortley Beach. We asked that the work be completed before the season since so many residents enjoy the kayak launch and storage.”
The work did catch some residents by surprise, he said, but also praised the project.
“In summary we think this will be a good project for Ortley and we look forward to Toms River making more improvements to our area,” he wrote.
Rodrick said the park was a natural location for a kayak launch.
“There’s really nothing that’s being obstructed, and it’s already a park with tennis courts,” he said. “And you’ll be able to shove off from there, right from shore, which is nice.”
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