Times Talk
PARKING FEES BACK IN EFFECT IN STONE HARBOR
May 1 was May Day, but it also meant a couple of things to drivers in Stone Harbor aside from the fact that summer was quickly approaching.
First, there’s no more turning on red at certain intersections until Oct. 1. Those intersections are clearly marked.
Second, it’s time to pay for parking. The Borough has made it simple to know which spots are paid parking spots. It’s this simple: Circle P marks the spot. The ParkMobile logo, that is. You’ll find the logo painted in every spot that’s been designated a paid parking spot.
Parking fees went into effect May 1, and they are enforced seven days a week from 10am-9pm in the business district and 10am-5pm in designated beach zones until Sept. 30.
How do you pay for parking? There are several contactless ways to pay for parking:
• Downloading the ParkMobile app for your phone is by far the most convenient. Using the app, you can pre-set your credit card and the license plate numbers for multiple vehicles. This will make parking fast and easy. The same app is used at many locations in the Wildwoods and Sea Isle City, too. This includes some parking lots and facilities in the Wildwoods that are no longer manned by attendants. You’ll find ParkMobile utilized in towns from coast to coast, so downloading the app makes a lot of sense. It also makes your life easier as it pertains to parking.
• Using the camera on your phone, scan the QR code on the ParkMobile sign closest to your parking location. It will prompt you with a link.
• Text Park to 77223. You’ll receive a text in return with a link to make your payment.
• Call 877-727-5304. The voice prompts will walk you through the payment process.
Once you set up the app on your phone, it takes less than 10 seconds to complete your parking transaction and you have a permanent record of your payment on your phone. So, until Sept. 30, don’t forget: Circle P marks the spot.
POST 331 PROPERTY UPGRADE PROGRESSES
American Legion Post 331 of Stone Harbor completed Phase 2 of its property upgrade under a grant from the Home Depot Foundation on May 2.
Phase 1, also under a Home Depot Foundation grant, provided needed improvements to the legion building’s interior, which included ceiling, lighting, flooring, insulation, and interior painting upgrades.
Phase 2 focused on an exterior upgrade, the beautification and improved functionality of the Post’s property. This phase included the installation of pavers around the building’s exterior. This included a paver platform where patriotic ceremonies can be conducted; a fire pit for burning unserviceable American flags during the annual Flag Day ceremony; a walkway behind the building by the parking lot; a walkway from the side entrance to the Second Avenue sidewalk; and a walkway in front of the building’s lifesaving station murals.
Additionally, a wall with a planter was constructed behind the flagpole area in the side yard that will display emblems of the six armed services whose veterans make up the American Legion. Pavestone, LLC, of the Quikrete Concrete Company, did a tremendous job in laying the pavers for this project.
Post Commander Tom McCullough of Avalon coordinated the grant process with three Home Depot managers and, along with other post members, facilitated the layout and site preparation for the installation of the pavers.
The final portion of Phase 2, to be completed this summer, will be the replacement of the building’s handicap ramp with more durable material by Skip Holtzapfel Builders, Inc. The materials also will be provided under the Home Depot Foundation grant.
With these upgrades, Post 331 – “The Jewel of Seven Mile Island” – will be both a historic and beautiful location at Stone Harbor’s southern end. Future plans include obtaining a grant from state Sen. Michael Testa’s office for replacement of the building’s windows in order to meet historical specifications.
FLOWER POWER: GARDEN CLUB STILL GROWING STRONG
That Avalon Garden Club’s annual plant and flower sale celebrated its ruby, or 40th anniversary, in May. Forty years is impressive regardless of the activity. It’s even more impressive when you realize that all proceeds from the club’s activities over all those years have always gone toward the beautification of Avalon and scholarships for students with an interest in the environment and more recently, sustainability.
The Avalon Garden Club was formed in 1976 and almost immediately began raising funds for the beautification of Avalon. According to current club president Nancy Hudanich, the club first began selling nutrient-rich mushroom soil. “That lasted for several years,” Hudanich says.
The flower sales followed, beginning in 1984. And if this year was any indication, interest is stronger than ever. “It’s a rite of spring,” says one shopper, while browsing the many tree, plant, and flower varieties offered this year.
It’s interesting to note that one of Avalon’s first beautification projects took place at what was then referred to as the Circle at 21st Street. You may know it today as Veterans Plaza. The very first beautification of the circle took place in the 1960s and was coordinated by the Avalon Women’s Civic Club, an organization that ceased activities just last year. The Civic Club raised funds in the early 1970s by collecting and recycling glass. The recycled glass helped them raise the funds they used to beautify the circle at the time.
Today, thankfully, the Avalon Garden Club is still active in Avalon and is especially recognized for its beautification of the Dune Drive traffic islands, and its flower sale and flower show, which is also nearing its ruby anniversary. This year the Garden Club is also working with the Avalon Environment Commission and funding a special pilot program that will result in an island on Dune Drive that will be planted with native, sustainable plants.
Our congratulations and sincere thanks to the Avalon Garden Club for all their efforts.
Backpassing work will begin the third week of May to help move sand back to its original spot.
AVALON SAND BACKPASSING UNDERWAY
Preparing for the summer of 2024, the Borough of Avalon is about to undertake a sand “backpassing” effort. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, backpassing is defined as: the process of moving sand from a bottlenecked area (such as the area just south of the Fishing Pier) back to its original source within its sand cell.
This practice is not only for cosmetic purposes; it also helps ensure that Mother Nature has the necessary sand to form protective dunes along shorelines. Essentially, it’s a way to manage and redistribute sand resources to maintain coastal resilience and protect against erosion. In this case, according to Avalon Borough Administrator Scott Wahl, “Surveys for many years demonstrate that sand erodes from the north end [of Avalon’s beaches] and lands on the beaches just south of the Avalon Fishing Pier.”
That being the case, Avalon plans to “borrow” 55,000 cubic yards of its own sand from this approved area and will move it back to the beaches from approximately 9th Street to 16th Street. The project began the third week of May, with contractors working 7am-3:30pm Monday through Friday. Work was planned to cease on Thursday of Memorial Day weekend through the holiday.
Obviously, all schedules and projections are subject to weather conditions, but the Borough is optimistic that given the planned schedule, all work can be completed by mid-June and thus provide more spacious beaches in the north end where Mother Nature had her way over the winter months. This project, expected to cost $350,500, is being funded by the Borough of Avalon.
And for all the “number junkies” out there, here are some numbers pertaining to this project: A cubic yard of sand is approximately 3 feet high by 3 feet wide and 3 feet deep. When dry, 1 cubic yard of sand weighs approximately 2,700 pounds, or 1.35 tons. So that means when complete, Avalon will have relocated approximately 148.5 million pounds of dry sand.
Of course, this kind of project often raises the question: Is it all worthwhile? For that answer, we’ll refer to a quote from former Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. When asked that question, Marty was always quick to point out that people have flocked to Avalon for more than a century for one primary reason: “Our beaches.”
Members of the cooking class enjoying the fruits of their labor.
THAT’S A WRAP
A sure sign that the winter season has come to an end: Avalon’s last cooking class took place on May 6, in the Senior Center. As you can see from the photo here, in addition to cooking lessons there’s also lots of delicious eating in the cooking class. Any wonder why it’s so popular?
The classes are now on hiatus until Oct. 21. To make sure that you are included in this marvelous program – led by Chef Josh Romano, coordinated by Sue Keen in Mayor McCorristin’s office, and made possible by the Avalon Free Public Library – make a note right now to call on Labor Day (please don’t call prior to that) to sign up for the Oct. 21 class. You can call 609-967-5924. But again, you must wait until Labor Day. As you can imagine, these classes fill up very quickly, so be sure to leave yourself a reminder for Labor Day.
It’s just another one of the wonderful events in the offseason here on the Seven Mile Beach. Bon appetit!
INTRODUCING AVALON’S ‘SPRING INTO SUMMER’ FESTIVAL
Your family already makes winter memories in Avalon with Festive Friday and Snowfest Saturday. Now, you and your gang can create some early summer memories with Avalon’s “Spring into Summer” Festival. It’s a new tradition that’s quickly shaping up to be four fun-filled weekends of family-friendly experiences. And there’ll be something for everyone, regardless of age.
Kicking off the festivities is the Arts and Music weekend, celebrating creativity and rhythm. Attendees can immerse themselves in the vibrant sounds of the Paul Green Rock Academy and revel in a memorable concert experience. The Art on Dune Festival will highlight talented artists, while the Avalon Historical Society’s annual photo contest opens doors for budding photographers. Additionally, book lovers can engage with local authors during a fair dedicated to literature.
Kick-starting the Explore Nature weekend, attendees can plan their day’s activities with insights from meteorologist Joe Martucci, ensuring they make the most of their time amid nature’s splendors. Nature enthusiasts will then find themselves irresistibly drawn to the wonders of the outdoors, where the Garden Club Flower Show awaits, captivating visitors with breathtaking floral displays. Engaging landscape design workshops follow, inspiring creativity while emphasizing the critical role of pollinators and birds in nurturing sustainable ecosystems. Families seeking adventure can bond over a community scavenger hunt, fostering a deeper connection with the environment.
Sports enthusiasts can rub shoulders with their heroes during a special meet-and-greet with sports figures as Avalon celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Flyers’ first Stanley Cup championship with some of the actual heroes from that team. Meanwhile, sand sculpture demonstrations and family lessons provide opportunities for creative expression and bonding.
As the summer solstice nears, Avalon celebrates the longest day of the year with an array of captivating events centered around the beach and community spirit. Amid it all, don’t miss the opportunity to encounter “Horseshoe Crabs: Living Fossils on the Beach,” adding an enriching and unique dimension to this summer solstice celebration. The vibrant tunes of the Sensational Soul Cruisers will uplift attendees, complemented by serene moments of reflection during a solstice beach walk. At the heart of the festivities lies the lively Solstice Festival, headlined by Still Surfin’, a renowned Beach Boys tribute band. History enthusiasts can delve into the past through the Historical Society Olde House Tour, and the AHLOA Community Connections event fosters a strong sense of community.
With a diverse range of activities and experiences, Avalon’s “Spring into Summer” festival is a celebration of community, culture, and the natural world. For more information and event details, visitors are encouraged to check visitavalonnj.com and join in the festivities.