Military personnel and their families, as well as veterans, can now enjoy a day at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch, free of charge.
Karen Livingstone, public information officer for the Monmouth County Park System, said the Monmouth County Board of Recreation Commissioners voted on June 10 to allow free parking and beach access for servicemembers, their dependents, and veterans at the county beach in Long Branch.
“All U.S. military and their dependent family can enjoy free access and parking at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park,” she said in a June 21 interview.
According to Livingstone, the board initially considered limiting the fee waiver to veterans but expanded it to all military personnel and members of their families.
“We had been looking at it, and Monmouth County started issuing a veteran’s ID card,” she said. “So the park system and the Board of Recreation Commissioners took a look at the matter and thought Seven Presidents was a place we could offer free access.
“It started with veterans, and we decided to take a bold step and offer the free access to all military,” Livingstone added. “That includes National Guard, reserve, active duty, retired and veterans.”
Servicemembers from across the county are eligible for the free parking and beach badges.
“It’s pretty simple: All U.S. military will enjoy free access and parking at Seven Presidents Park, and we hope that they have a wonderful summer,” Livingstone said.
Livingstone said some form of ID will be needed.
“They need to provide some kind of identification,” she added. “We are not going to be tracking each person, but just keeping a record of how many military and their dependent family members are coming through.”
Waiving the beach fees is a way to recognize service to the nation, she said.
“I think the park system[’s] position is that it is an opportunity to thank our military.”
Acceptable ID includes active duty military/ national guard ID cards, retired military ID cards or a veterans ID card.
Weekday beach fees at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park are $7 for those 18 years and over, and free for beachgoers under 18. The cost of a daily parking pass is $7.