The Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, a Methodist group in New Jersey, has been closing its beaches on Sunday mornings for 155 years to honor God. However, the group is now allowing beachgoers onto the sand temporarily while it fights a court case with the state over beach access laws. The Department of Environmental Protection threatened fines of $25,000 per day for violating these laws, prompting the association to challenge the order to preserve its property rights and religious freedom.
Located in Neptune Township, Ocean Grove is known as “God’s Square Mile at the Jersey Shore” and is owned by the association, including the beaches. The association has traditionally kept the beaches closed until noon on Sundays for worship services, but some individuals defied the rules last year by going onto the beach on Sunday mornings. Despite calls to police by association personnel, officers did not intervene, highlighting the ongoing tension between public access and religious practices in the community.
In court documents, the association emphasized that the beach is open to the public 365 days a year, with restrictions only in place for 45 hours between Memorial Day and Labor Day. They argue that this policy is reasonable and that all individuals, regardless of race, creed, religion, or orientation, are welcome on the private property for the majority of the year. The outcome of the case is currently pending, with no clear timeline for when a decision might be issued by the administrative law judge overseeing the dispute.
The dispute between the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association and the state of New Jersey highlights a broader conflict between private property rights, religious freedom, and public access to beaches. While the association seeks to maintain its tradition of closing the beaches on Sunday mornings for religious reasons, the state is asserting its authority to enforce beach access laws. The case raises questions about the balance between individual rights, community practices, and governmental regulations in a diverse and dynamic society.
With tensions high and legal proceedings ongoing, both sides in the dispute are awaiting a resolution that will clarify the extent of the association’s rights and responsibilities regarding beach access. The outcome of this case could have implications for similar religious communities and private property owners in New Jersey and beyond. As the debate continues, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association remains committed to upholding its core values while navigating the complexities of modern-day challenges related to land use, religious expression, and public policy.
