Randy Turner, chief of interpretation, said no state or federal laws specifically prohibit nudity, adding: “The national park does not condemn or condone nude bathing.” While the park service does not take action against nude sun bathers, he said it will take action against anyone participating in lewd behavior. The park service doesn’t publicize it, but many people participate in nude sun bathing at isolated and unprotected beaches south of the Gunnison beach parking lot. And, if you pull off the side of the road, you’re probably going to get stuck. That policy is being reviewed, though he would not say if a ban will be implemented. “As a result, we experience a greater number of problems, especially with underage drinking,” he said. Whitesell believes Sandy Hook is the only Jersey shore beach that allows consumption of alcoholic beverages. No fee is charged if you arrive before 7 a.m. Beach parking fees are $3 on weekends and holidays, $2 on weekdays, through Labor Day. The park is open from dawn to dusk every day. Whitesell said there have been no deaths at beaches with lifeguards since the park service has been at Sandy Hook. The last fatalities were two drownings in 1986. Swimming is discouraged on beaches without guards. If traffic is not heavy, you can get there from Allentown in about two hours. Sandy Hook is one of the closest shore points to the Lehigh Valley. Since parking lots are right on some beaches, those visitors may never notice poison ivy or encounter a tick. Whitesell estimated 2 million go for the beaches. Only by visiting Sandy Hook will you realize the place is not as inhospitable as it may sound.Ībout 2.2 million people do visit every year. “It does sound a little formidable,” acknowledged superintendent Stephen Whitesell. Sandy Hook also has mosquitoes and what its superintendent calls a “phenomenal tick population.” Visitors also might find old but still dangerous artillery shells or hand grenades on a beach. Its extensive root system traps wind-blown sand and allows the area to build itself up, so other plants can grow. Poison ivy is one of the first plants that grows in new sandy areas. Sandy Hook has one of the largest colonies of nesting shore birds in New Jersey and its holly forest is one of the largest on the East Coast.Ībout 70 percent of the plants growing on Sandy Hook are poison ivy, according to the park service. Park officials say the public doesn’t realize Sandy Hook is part of the national park system, with rangers just like those who work at places like Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon.
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