The town of Ocean Grove, New Jersey, has kept its beach closed on Sunday mornings for 155 years for religious observation. However, after ongoing pressure from the state of New Jersey, the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) has been ordered to open the beach. The OGCMA expressed its commitment to challenge the order to protect its property rights and religious freedom. Despite this, they will comply with the directive while continuing their mission of providing spiritual opportunities for worship, education, and cultural programs.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) found the OGCMA in violation of the Coastal Area Facility Review Act and ordered them to remove padlocks and chains from their beach area from May to September. Failure to comply would result in fines of $25,000 per day. The OGCMA requested a stay of the order pending appeal, but this was denied by NJDEP commissioner Shawn LaTourette. Several protests have occurred in response to the closure of the beach on Sunday mornings, with opposition groups trespassing onto Ocean Grove’s private property.
Former OGCMA President Michael Badger emphasized the importance of the Sunday morning beach closure to maintain Ocean Grove’s tradition and respect religious observation. He highlighted the quieter and less stressful environment created by the closure, as well as the benefits for both secular and religious intentions. The closure also allows the lifeguards to have half a day off and provides an opportunity for people to attend church. Ocean Grove has had its beach closed on Sundays between Memorial Day and Labor Day for a couple of decades, with the city previously closing the beach all day on Sundays.
Ocean Grove faces criticism and pressure from the state of New Jersey to end its practice of closing the beach on Sunday mornings for religious observation. The OGCMA, a private, religiously affiliated nonprofit that owns the land in Ocean Grove, including the beach, boardwalk, and pier, has been ordered by the NJDEP to open the beach on Sundays. Despite the challenges and protests, the OGCMA remains committed to protecting its property rights and religious freedom while providing spiritual and cultural programs for the community. The conflict between the OGCMA and the state of New Jersey continues as the future of the Sunday morning beach closure remains uncertain.
