When people think of Toms River, a boardwalk is usually not the first thing that comes to mind. After all, the boardwalk is across the Mathis Bridge in Seaside Heights. However, any longtime Toms River resident knows we do have a boardwalk of our own. In Ortley Beach. The Ortley boardwalk is the responsibility of Toms River. Now, the township has been awarded a $1 million grant by the state for repairs to the boardwalk structures and access in Ortley Beach.
According to a news release from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the award is part of $100 million in grants awarded to communities along the Jersey Shore to address critical needs for township boardwalks. Furthermore, Toms River is one of 18 towns to receive the grant funding. The news release goes on to state that this funding aims to help Jersey Shore communities remain vibrant tourism destinations in the long term. They will do so by investing in state-of-the-art materials that increase storm resiliency and ensure longer lasting infrastructure. Super Storm Sandy destroyed the Ortley Boardwalk in 2013. Since that rebuild, the area has seen its beach access ramps repeatedly damaged by nor’easters and other strong storms. These have caused further erosion of the beach.
