De-Annexation Makes Berkeley Beach Badges Useless

BERKELEY, NJ — Earlier this year, the South Seaside Park portion of Berkeley Township left and joined Seaside Park. Suddenly, hundreds of beach badge buyers learned that their badges would not be accepted this summer.

Berkeley had sold beach badges for White Sands Beach, the oceanfront beach located in South Seaside Park. Those badges aren't valid anymore.

"Seaside Park did not want to honor the beach badges that were sold by Berkeley Township," Berkeley Mayor John Bacchione said at a recent Township Council meeting.

Those who purchased a $60 White Sands Beach badge prior to the de-annexation are eligible to get a refund from the township. About $35,000 worth of beach badges were sold, according to NJ.com.

"You'll be refunded every dime that you spent," Bacchione said.

Beach buggy badges sold by Berkeley will still be valid in Seaside Park, Bacchione said. It's only the regular beach badges that won't be accepted.

Seaside Park's seasonal beach badges cost $65 until June 14, when they go up to $70.

White Sands Beach will now also be monitored by Seaside Park lifeguards.

South Seaside Park was a small neighborhood in Berkeley Township that spent years fighting to join Seaside Park, as the neighborhood said it had more in common with their island neighbors than the mainland town.

The annexation was officially approved in March. READ MORE: Seaside Park To Expand With Annexation Of Berkeley Neighborhood