A Jersey Shore landowners’ group is preparing to allow Sunday morning beach access from its boardwalk starting this weekend, though it is continuing to seek a court order to keep its previous controversial, religious-themed restriction in place.
“We are currently compelled to comply with the NJDEP order to open the beach but have not ceased nor abandoned our quest to protect our religious and property rights,” the association said.A DEP spokesperson said earlier Monday that it did not have an update in the matter. The nine “step entrances” — access points from the Ocean Grove Boardwalk onto the beach — historically have been closed on Sunday mornings from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. However, Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association officials have said the beach is not closed because the public can still get on the sand if they walk along the high tide line from Asbury Park to the north or from Bradley Beach to the south.