{"id":1384,"date":"2023-09-07T07:44:35","date_gmt":"2023-09-07T07:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/07\/christian-group-in-ocean-grove-nj-challenged-over-restriction-on-beach-access\/"},"modified":"2023-09-07T07:44:35","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T07:44:35","slug":"christian-group-in-ocean-grove-nj-challenged-over-restriction-on-beach-access","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cccfornews.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/07\/christian-group-in-ocean-grove-nj-challenged-over-restriction-on-beach-access\/","title":{"rendered":"Christian group in Ocean Grove, NJ challenged over restriction on beach access"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The million cross-shaped Ocean Grove pier in New Jersey, seen under construction in early 2023.<\/span> | Screengrab: YouTube\/NJ.com<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ocean Grove, a New Jersey community in Neptune Township founded by Methodist ministers in 1869 as a \u201cChristian seaside resort<\/a>\u201d has been warned by state officials that their longstanding tradition of limiting access to their privately owned beach before noon on Sundays during the summer months to accommodate church services and maintain the character of their community is a violation of state law.<\/p>\n

A warning letter<\/a> sent by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Aug. 10 to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association<\/a>, a Methodist group that owns all the land in Ocean Grove, says the Christian group cannot use chains and padlock barriers to block beach access on Sunday mornings from Memorial Day to Labor Day<\/a> because it is a violation of the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe purpose of this warning is to advise you of the above potential violation to provide you with an opportunity to voluntarily take corrective actions and to engage in discussions with the DEP,\u201d Robert H. Clark, a region supervisor for the state Bureau of Coastal and Land Use Compliance and Enforcement, wrote in a letter<\/a> made public by the activist group Neptune United.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeptune United would like to thank the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for listening to the concerns of the community. On August 10th, the NJDEP sent the OGCMA the attached \u2018Warning,\u2019 informing them that their \u2018use of chain and pad lock barriers to deter public access to the beach during daylight hours\u2019 violated state regulations,\u201d the group said in a statement on Facebook on Aug. 18<\/a> in response to the warning. \u201cNow that it is known the OGCMA has been put on notice by the NJDEP, we look forward to seeing a barrier-free entry this Sunday morning!\u201d<\/p>\n

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Worshipers at Ocean Grove Beach Church in Ocean Grove, N.J.<\/span> | Screenshot\/oceangrove.org<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Neptune United describes itself<\/a> as \u201ca nonpartisan, community advocacy organization committed to ensuring fairness and equality for all Neptune Township residents and visitors\u201d but not everyone in the community agrees with their targeting of the Christian landowner. One woman, identified as Jody Ann on Facebook, is among several who disagreed with Neptune United\u2019s celebration of the warning and noted that the majority of the community supports the long-held traditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe concerns of the community? I don\u2019t believe you speak for the entire community. I know that the majority are ok with the closures only during the summer. You should be thanking them for building a new pier free of charge to the \u2018community.\u2019 Your group is shameless,\u201d she said. \u201cThere is plenty of room on the beach. The access is only for a few hours on a Sunday. Leave them alone.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an interview with The Christian Post on Tuesday, Michael Badger, president of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, said in the 154 years that his group has owned and operated the beach, they have never had an issue with their beach access tradition until 2023 when Neptune United began their activism.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been the owners and operators of this beach in Ocean Grove \u2026 for 154 years,\u201d Badger explained. \u201cIt is our beach, our lifeguards, our badge checkers, we maintain and operate and repair everything \u2014 boardwalk, the pier, and the beach, itself. We make sure it gets cleaned.\u201d<\/p>\n

Badger said the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and the NJDEP are in talks to resolve the dispute and agree that the Methodist group has significant support from the community because their tradition also helps to maintain the quality of life in the neighborhood.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere’s a quality-of-life benefit whether you’re religious or secular. It creates a quieter or more restful environment. \u201cWhether you just want to walk along the boardwalk and see the sublime natural state of the ocean without all of the umbrellas and canopies, blankets of people,\u201d he said. \u201cThere’s less traffic, there’s more opportunities for parking for people to just have a breakfast and …. to go to a worship service.\u201d<\/p>\n