Long time resident Glenn Klotz believes Margate needs a new boardwalk. Many agree. Read the latest from Glenn:
The long battle with the State of NJ about Margate’s beach is over. Today, Margate finds itself with a “new” beach design decidedly NOT of our choosing. The State of NJ used it’s power of eminent domain. They condemned and have taken the easement it needed, to construct the current beach design. Sadly, there’s little the citizens of Margate can do about it. So, that being the case, we need to find a “silver lining” in this onerous situation.
If life hands you lemons, make lemonade. On that note, here’s my suggestion on how Margate can make the best of this unwanted situation on the beach….. and do it in style!
Margate Once Had a Boardwalk.
It’s been 56 years since Margate had a still standing portion of a city-wide boardwalk. The infamous Nor’easter Storm of 1962 took care of that last remaining section that extended south from the Margate Pier. Since then, Margate has been without a boardwalk or any walkway along the beach. We were fine without a boardwalk. Until now.
Back when the Margate boardwalk existed, most of our beaches were much narrower then today. With periodic replenishment of Absecon Island’s beaches over the past 100 years, the beaches have widened. Hopefully, they’ll stay that way for a long time to come.
The Margate boardwalk as it was constructed back in the early part of the 20th Century, was a narrow, lightly built structure. It was constructed way too close to the ocean. (no protection beyond being elevated) So, by design, it was probably much too exposed to survive.
By the time of the great Northeastern Hurricane of 1938, it was already pretty rickety and beaten up. In between that storm, and the 1944 hurricane that made land fall, the old boardwalk was then destroyed.
But….we did learn from our mistakes. We can now build much better boardwalks. Better construction. Smarter protection.
New Era of Boardwalk Reconstruction on Absecon Island
Today, a boardwalk still extends from Absecon Inlet to Margate with a brand new section (Absecon Inlet) just now being completed by the ACOE. So, since we’re in a new era of Boardwalk reconstruction, I propose that Margate reconstructs a citywide boardwalk extending from Ventnor at Fredericksburg Ave., through Margate, all the way to Longport.
I recommend that this new Boardwalk be built in the presently existing dead / empty beach zone directly behind the new Army Corp. Berm / dune. The “new” boardwalk, complete with access ramps and stairs, would be built to the most rigorous modern standards. It’s railing would extend parallel in height to the top of the berm (as it is in Ventnor).
We should ask NJDEP for the right to maintain the berm height, to the same level as Ventnor’s. Yes, the sea-view and breeze do count.
The current situation on Margate ‘s beaches is more than just annoying. It’s unreasonable and worse, it’s extremely wasteful. Much of the beach is unusable for bathing, walking, and even sitting by the ocean.
I greatly prefer Ventnor’s situation where some semblance of the seaview and the sea breeze are still available to people using the boardwalk. I realize that such a project would probably require a public referendum be held to approve of and fund such a project. It would also require State approvals, all of which would be daunting to obtain.
The advantages of such a structure would benefit Margate. It would be worth the effort.
It’s a proven, historical fact. Since Margate already had such a structure, it would hopefully preclude us having to ask the State of NJ for an entirely new set of permissions to reconstruct a new boardwalk today. We see this when piers are permitted to be rebuilt after they’ve be destroyed or damaged. We also see this type of permitting when the State allows a jetty or a groin that had existed, to be rebuilt.
Advantages of a New Margate Boardwalk
The first advantage is that we would regain much of our lost access to the sea view and sea breezes now cut off by the project dune / berm and the dead zone behind it.
Secondly, we would immediately gain better access to the ocean facing beach in front of the berm. This would happen because it would be necessary to construct a system of ramps from the street ends as in Ventnor and AC and these ramps would make beach access far easier for everyone, especially young families with small kids and the elderly / handicapped.
Then there’s the simple pleasures of being able to walk along and above the empty useless dead zone and sit on benches, ride bikes, use strollers for babies, roller-skate or skateboard etc. Suddenly and dramatically, an essentially useless wasted area of the beach (over 50% of it in many areas now) is transformed back into a wonderful useful public space again!
There simply isn’t any downside beyond building and maintaining this structure over time and as AC and Ventnor has shown this is something we can easily do. Plus, the added advantage we gain with the present beach design is our new boardwalk will have much better protection from storm surges then our original boardwalk ever had.
Popularity of the Boardwalk in Ventnor and Atlantic City.
Today, to see the ocean and horizon, I go to Ventnor’s boardwalk instead of walking down to the bulkhead in Margate. Sadly, there’s nothing to see from the beach blocks in Margate, except for a mountain of sand. This situation is unsustainable. We need our Margate boardwalk back. This would remedy our degraded access to the ocean.
CHANGE WITH THE TIMES.
Margate didn’t ask for the beach changes we’ve endured over the past 18 months. They’re pretty much here to stay. Instead of complaining, it’s best to move forward and take advantage of the situation. Create a new attraction in Margate. Like the one we had in the early 20th century. A boardwalk.
I propose that Margate’s City Commission prepare a citywide, non-binding referendum to let voters and taxpayers decide. Should we build a brand new, citywide boardwalk in Margate?
If this measure passes, Margate would probably apply to the State of NJ’s Green Acres Program for help in funding the project. A new Margate Boardwalk would enhance our beachscape. It would create a valuable new asset for Margate’s residents and property owners. It would be a wonderful new attraction for our visitors. I believe it would be extremely popular.
What do you think? Leave a comment below.
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