Beachgoers along the Jersey shore this Memorial Day weekend will have to contend with new rules limiting the use of beach tents, canopies and other structures.
Officials say they are trying to improve safety by improving lifeguard visibility of the beach and water, making it easier for lifeguards and emergency personnel to navigate the beach in the event of an emergency.
More than a dozen beach municipalities have some sort of restrictions in place, including popular spots like Asbury Park and Sandy Hook, according to NJ.com. In Asbury Park, baby tents and umbrellas are only allowed up to six feet wide, while umbrellas under eight feet are only allowed in Sandy Hook. NJ.com reported.
North Wildwood and Brick Township are banning beach tents, canopies, cabanas and similar structures in lifeguard-prepared areas. Standard single-pole umbrellas are still permitted.
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Beachgoers enjoy the nice weather at Island Beach State Park in Berkeley Township, New Jersey on July 27, 2020. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said there is a lack of available space on the city’s beaches.
“We’re just trying to get the beaches open to as many people as possible,” Rosenero told NBC New York, noting that at some North Wildwood beaches, seating is at a premium during high tide, the outlet reported.
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More than a dozen beach municipalities along the Jersey Shore have implemented new rules restricting the use of beach tents, canopies and other structures ahead of Memorial Day weekend. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
One of the reasons for the lack of beach space on the Jersey Shore is severe erosion, and officials are planning to implement beach replenishment projects to combat the natural phenomenon.
North Wildwood Beach Patrol Captain Bill Ciavarelli pointed out the safety benefits of the new rules.
“Our biggest concern is any kind of emergency (or) medical emergency. We have to somehow get through these crowds with barely any beach to meet people,” Chiavarelli said. He told NBC New York.
“We’re not trying to ruin anyone’s fun, we’re just trying to give everyone the opportunity to have fun.”
Island Beach State Park, which has 10 miles of sandy beach and rolling dunes, will likely restrict visitors’ use of umbrellas in bathing areas starting Memorial Weekend, officials told NJ.com.
Tents and canopies will still be permitted outside of swimming areas where vehicles are allowed on the beach. In Ocean City, only tents and canopies smaller than 10 feet by 10 feet will be permitted.
Officials told NBC that when lightning strikes in the area, the structures make it difficult for park staff to quickly evacuate people on the beach.
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People spend time at the beach during Memorial Day weekend on May 28, 2023 in Wildwood, New Jersey. (Hannah Beyer/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Atlantic City has no rules banning tents or canopies, according to NJ.com.
Americans planning to travel over Memorial Day weekend are likely to encounter traffic jams and other delays as the country is on track to set a new 20-year travel record, according to AAA.
The group predicts that 43.8 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles between Thursday and Monday. U.S. airports are expected to be just as busy as highways, with the Transportation Security Administration saying up to 3 million people could pass through airport checkpoints on Friday alone. But as usual, most holiday travelers are expected to travel by car.
Fox News’ Anders Hagstrom contributed to this report.
