Dig New Jersey Beaches? Better Know The Rules

AP via WRAL ^ | May 26, 2007 | WAYNE PARRY

[Pharmboy]

Welcome to the Jersey Shore! Have a great time, but please don't dig too deeply in the sand in Surf City (you could get blown up), feed the seagulls in Ocean City (you could catch a disease), or draw dirty pictures in the sand in Belmar (it's rude).

snip...

"I used to take pictures of signs at the entrance to beaches that had long lists of all the things you couldn't do," said Dery Bennett, head of the American Littoral Society's Sandy Hook chapter. "There was one with a big word `NO' in red letters at the top and all these things listed underneath it, and at the bottom, someone put tape on it and wrote in `fun allowed.'"

Many of the beach towns on Long Beach Island, one of New Jersey's most popular summer vacation spots, have laws prohibiting people from digging deeper than 12 inches in the sand. They stem from an accident several years ago in which a teenager died when a deep hole he was digging collapsed, burying him.

This year, the prohibition is for a different reason: More than 1,000 pieces of unexploded World War I-era military munitions were unwittingly pumped ashore during a winter beach replenishment project decades after being dumped at sea. Authorities say they've removed everything they could, but can't guarantee more munitions don't remain hidden.

"How can you tell a kid not to dig in the sand?" asked Faith O'Dell, who lives near the beach in Surf City, where most of the fuses were found. "It's their nature, it's what kids do. And when your kid says, `Why, Mommy, why can't I dig in the sand?' what do you tell them, that they could blow themselves up?"

[nickcarraway]

`Why, Mommy, why can't I dig in the sand?' what do you tell them, that they could blow themselves up?"

If you tell them that, they'll be digging twice as fast. If someone had told me when I was that age there were WWI munitions buried somewhere, I would have been digging until they pulled me away!

[Coleus]

I was 4 or 5 years old when I walked the entire island collecting signatures on a petition to have our club pay for showers to be installed. >>>

Great Job!! And so young, too.

[Coleus]

I loved seaside heights, and still do. It’s just the right size with the right rides and wheels. too bad they got rid of the fun house.

[Calpernia]

The original shower had a plack with my name on it. It has long been updated; but it was a proud moment.

[_Jim]

Plaque?

(As in a Commemorative plaque, a flat ornamental plate or tablet fixed to a wall, used to mark an occasion, event or person.)

[Calpernia]

LOL! Yes, plaque.

[NCC-1701]

"...feed the seagulls in Ocean City (you could catch a disease),..."

No need to worry about that. This guy and his team can treat and cure any know dreaded dieases.

[dbwz]

I’ll be going to my childhood stomping grounds, Lavallette, next Thursday. I’ll have to remember not to have fun.

Oh, we'll be watching you... crack one smile and you're in the slammer, sister!

LOL!! ;-)

[Clemenza]

condos are half the price of New Jersey’s

Uh, have you been to Miami Beach lately? Boca Raton? Even Delray Beach and Hollywood? Even with the recent correction, you will be shelling out a considerable number of sheckles, at least in South Florida, for a condo.

[Clemenza]

Lucy reminds you to "never forget" your beach tag!:

I love Lucy!

[exdem2000]

Was it Barnacle Bills, large statue of man in front of minature golf. Alot of building going on, new homes all along 35 north.

[Calpernia]

There were two arcades on 35N I hung out at growing up.

>>>Was it Barnacle Bills, large statue of man in front of minature golf.<<<<

This was one of them.

I hate all the new building. I barely recognize anything each time I go back.