Keansburg: Satellite Photo by USGS. Township of Middletown, and the western tip of Keansburg is adjacent to the Borough of

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Keansburg: Satellite Photo by USGS. Township of Middletown, and the western tip of Keansburg is adjacent to the Borough of"

Anastasia Simmons
6 years ago
Views:

1 Keansburg 1. Overview of Keansburg and Its Waterfront Keansburg: Satellite Photo by USGS 1.1 Geographical Overview The Borough of Keansburg is one of nine communities that comprise the Bayshore Region of Monmouth County, New Jersey. Keansburg is located between the Township of Hazlet and the Township of Middletown, and the western tip of Keansburg is adjacent to the Borough of Union Beach across a creek. The present Borough of Keansburg was incorporated in 1917, although the first settler came from England in The current area of the borough is 1.1 square miles and Route 36 is the major route to Keansburg. 1.2 Demographics Keansburg has a long history as a summer resort. At the beginning of the 20th century, the winter population was approximately 500, increasing in the summer months to 10,000. It has since developed into a residential community and from the 1970 s, the year round population 1

2 has been 10,000 or more. Rapid post-wwii development changed Keansburg from a family summer vacation resort to a suburban, residential community. Now, the 2000 Census tallies the housing for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use at less than 1%. This shift began before the 1960 s and lasted into the 1970 s. The 2000 Census tallies Keansburg s population as 10,732. The racial composition was 88% White (non-hispanic); 8% Hispanic; 2% Black or African American. Approximately 7% of the total population was born in foreign countries. In 1980 the major occupation was categorized as production, craft, and repair (19.1%). Compared to the rest of the county, less of Keansburg s population was employed in professional, managerial and technical occupations. A higher proportion of the Borough work force was engaged in blue-collar categories, machine operators and transportation and material moving, than the county as a whole. There is not much local industry within Keansburg or the larger area, and the majority of the residents commute to northern New Jersey or New York City for employment. Keansburg is largely a bedroom community with some of the residents using the new ferry line from Belford in Middletown Township to commute to New York City. 1.3 Historical Overview and Traditional Waterfront Uses Keansburg has approximately 2 miles of shoreline and Keansburg s location on the Raritan Bay has played a major role in the Borough s development. Originally, this area was the principal landing and port of Monmouth County. Its first residents were mostly fisherman, clammers and farmers. As the region grew, Keansburg s proximity to the urban areas of 2

3 northern New Jersey and New York, clam beds, and opportunities for boating and fishing made it an excellent and affordable vacation area. The initial boom in development of Keansburg commenced with the organization of the New Point Comfort Beach Company in The Company filled in a low, swampy area with sand dredged from the Bay. The filled property was then subdivided and vacationers pitched their tents for summer housing. Many other developers followed suit. Steamboat service was initiated in 1909 by the Keansburg Steamboat Company. It was necessary for the steamboat pier to extend 2000 feet into the Raritan Bay due to the shallow off-shore waters. Steamboats provided round trip service between Keansburg and NYC s Battery Park until the 2000-foot fishing pier that was used for the steamboat dock was destroyed by a hurricane in 1962, however, pilings are still visible off of Point Comfort. At this time the year-round population of 500 swelled to 10,000 in the summer. Keansburg was initially developed as a community of summer resort houses, but as New Jersey s Atlantic Coast developed, the popularity of the Bayshore as a seasonal resort waned and Keansburg grew into a year-round community. Much of its seasonal housing stock has been converted to permanent use. Although this region economically prospered during the 1980s, the Bayshore area itself has a history of economic distress. 3

Keansburg Amusement Park An amusement park built in the early 1900 s, a water park built in 1995, and the 1000-feet long fishing pier (owned by the amusement park) have been the symbols of Keansburg.

1 Summary of Waterfront The waterfront of Keansburg changed after a series of hurricanes in the 1960 s.

4 Keansburg Amusement Park An amusement park built in the early 1900 s, a water park built in 1995, and the 1000-feet long fishing pier (owned by the amusement park) have been the symbols of Keansburg. People coming to Keansburg now are mainly traveling there by car for the day to visit the amusement park, fishing pier and beaches. 2. Waterfront Use 2.1 Summary of Waterfront The waterfront of Keansburg changed after a series of hurricanes in the 1960 s. In 1962 Hurricane Donna destroyed the 2000-foot pier used for docking steamboats, thus ending steamboat service to the Borough. As a response to severe flooding and hurricane damage, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began constructing dunes and berms along the shoreline in the 1960 s. The berms and dunes are approximately 15 feet high, making it difficult to see the beach and water. 4

5 The waterfront of Keansburg is very accessible to the public. The waterfront areas all along the road parallel to the shoreline are owned by the municipality, which provides large parking lots, as well as street parking for both residents and non-residents. Access to the beach is gained either by crossing over the berms and dunes at designated areas or by using two boardwalks built in The eastern section of Keansburg along Shore Boulevard is a residential area with houses build behind the berms and dunes. In this area there are informal access points at the ends of six streets. The amusement and water park is located at the waterfront, but does not extend to the beach. Paths on either side of the amusement park provide access to the beach behind the amusement park, with municipal parking located nearby. This appears to be working, as the Borough has not received any complaints regarding public access. The 2000-foot fishing pier was rebuilt in 1987 and is owned by the amusement park. Another waterfront facility is a 2000 foot long fishing pier rebuilt in For a $6 fee, people can enter the pier through the amusement park for fishing, walking, and viewing. There are also a few bars and restaurants along the waterfront. Notably, there are no bait shops, charter/party boats, public marinas or boat launches located along the Bayshore. However, there is one private marina with boat ramps located on Waackaack Creek, one of the two creeks dividing Keansburg from Union Beach and Hazlet. Due to parking issues and the difficultly in shuttling commuters to the end of the 1000-foot pier an attempt to revitalize the ferry service in Keansburg failed. The pier is now only used for recreational purposes. 5

6 2.2. Waterfront Access Sites: Common Name Address GPS Fishing Private Marina Public Marina Trailered Launch Hand Launch Birdwatching Swimming Parking Handicapped Accessible Picnic Facilities Food Concessions Restroom Facilities Fee Beachway Publicly recognized sites Public Beach with West Boardwalk Public Beach with East Boardwalk Fishing pier of the (street name) Beachway X X X X X X X X X Amusement Park Beachway X X X Informally used Public Beach Ends of streets from Shore Boulevard X X Publicly Inaccessible N/A No private residential owners or commercial owners exercise exclusive waterfront property rights on the beaches. 6

Public Beach after West Boardwalk Municipal Coin Parking in front of West Boardwalk Two Public Beaches on Beachway: There are no

Two boardwalks ( East Boardwalk and West Boardwalk ) were built in 1993-4 with grants from the New Jersey Department of

There is a large municipal parking lot owned adjacent to the West Boardwalk, with metered parking space that only accepts quarters.

The parking lot in front of the East Boardwalk is free. There are private parking lots as well.

7 Public Beach after West Boardwalk Municipal Coin Parking in front of West Boardwalk Two Public Beaches on Beachway: There are no fees associated with these municipal beaches. Two boardwalks ( East Boardwalk and West Boardwalk ) were built in with grants from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection s Green Acres. There is a large municipal parking lot owned adjacent to the West Boardwalk, with metered parking space that only accepts quarters. There are no change machines, the but the municipality plans to install new meters that accept more than quarters. The parking lot in front of the East Boardwalk is free. There are private parking lots as well. There is a small picnic area on the side of the East Boardwalk. There are no lifeguards on these public beaches because the municipality has trouble hiring enough lifeguards. Posted signs warn individuals that they are swimming at their own risk and in some areas no swimming signs are in place. People use public beaches for swimming, walking, viewing, and beach fishing. 7

Public Beach on Shore Boulevard; Although there are private residential areas along Shore Boulevard, the public can access the shore at designated areas over the dunes and berms at the street ends

There is no formal parking space on these dead ends, but cars can and do park on the streets and at the dead ends. Fishing pier: This 2,175-foot pier was rebuilt in 1987 by Grand Al Enterprises Inc.

8 Public Beach on Shore Boulevard; Although there are private residential areas along Shore Boulevard, the public can access the shore at designated areas over the dunes and berms at the street ends (Seaside Place, Waterview Place, Neptune Place, Twilight Avenue, Lawrence Street, Beacon Boulevard). There is no formal parking space on these dead ends, but cars can and do park on the streets and at the dead ends. Fishing pier: This 2,175-foot pier was rebuilt in 1987 by Grand Al Enterprises Inc. and initially had a ferry service. Today, however, the pier is used only for recreation. In a nod to anglers, there are rod holders attached to the railings every few feet, and cutting boards for slicing bait and cleaning fish are set up to keep anglers from using the tops of the railings for that purpose. The pier is closed during the winter. 3. Waterfront Issues and Planning Initiatives 3.1 Waterfront Issues At the time of this survey there was a plan for a 36-home residential development in the waterfront area surrounded by Laurence Avenue, Beachway, and Oakwood Place. The site contains a large portion of land formerly flowed by the tides, resulting in the need for a Tidelands Grant from the state in order to proceed. 8

9 After Hurricane Donna in 1962, berms and dunes were built with the support of the US Army Corp Engineer. There have been still less serious floods, but over all, the berms and dunes have protected the residents from major damage by storms and hurricanes Planning Initiatives According to its Master Plan, Keansburg s bayfront is an invaluable resource which must be managed to assure that the community benefits from the Borough s waterfront location. These benefits can best be secured by guiding waterfront development in accordance with an overall plan which protects the public need for shore protection and flood control, visual and pedestrian access to the waterfront, recreation and open space and economic development. Proposals to develop or redevelop in waterfront locations must be compatible with the public interest in managing the shoreline as an area of critical concern. The Borough should encourage appropriate use of waterfront locations and coordinate its efforts with Monmouth County, which has proposed a plan for maintaining and improving waterfront access along the Raritan Bayshore. The above concept is relayed in two zoning areas utilized along the waterfront: CR: Conservation Recreation Overlay: This zoning overlay was established to promote the conservation or valuable natural resources and prevent environmental degradation. The boundary includes all areas of the Borough along the bayfront which extend from the mean high water line landward to a line 125 feet landward of the top of the dune construction alignment. Permitted uses include passive or low-intensity recreational uses such as swimming, fishing or boating which do not impact adversely on beaches, dunes and wetlands; open space; docks, piers, marinas, moorings, boat launches and related water-dependent 9

10 recreation; access to waters edge provided such routes are limited and do not impair the integrity of beaches, dunes or wetlands; and structures deemed necessary by the government for shore protection and flood prevention. B-2: Mixed Use Commercial-Residential Zone: This zone designation is intended to encourage revitalization and economic development of a commercial area oriented to the Raritan Bayfront. Permitted used include amusement parks, amusement arcades, marinas, and water transportation. The remaining waterfront zoning is not specific to the land s proximity to the Bayshore and includes a general commercial district, a single-family resential zone, and a residential multi-family zone. 4. Summary Keansburg s location on the Bay has played a major role in the Borough s development. Originally developed as a summer resort destination for people from northern New Jersey and New York, the 1960 s and 70 s saw a shift from these types of vacationers to day-trippers. This coincided with the renovation of many summer homes into year-round residences. The amusement park and pier have been the symbols of Keansburg and continue to attract people in the summer months. Accessiblity to the waterfront is good, with public beaches along the entire bayshore. Routes of public access to the beaches and waters are clearly displayed and maintained, except in the residential area in the eastern section of the Borough. Gentrification does not appear to be a major concern in the Borough, compared to other areas of the Bayshore. 10

11 References Cusick, Tom, Interview (Jan. 20, 2004). Master Plan (1988) Wall, Karen E., Six dollars and patience buy a day's repose on the local fishing pier, Asbury Park Press (July 18, 2002). 11

Hazlet. 1. Overview of Hazlet and Its Waterfront. Hazlet Township. 1.1 Geographic Overview

Hazlet. 1. Overview of Hazlet and Its Waterfront. Hazlet Township. 1.1 Geographic Overview Hazlet 1. Overview of Hazlet and Its Waterfront 1.1 Geographic Overview Hazlet Township is located in Monmouth County. The Township has a land area of 5.6 square miles. Situated in the Bayshore region