Ocean City Residents Discuss Revised Nature Path Proposal

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — A meeting on Saturday brought mixed reactions from neighbors as the city unveiled a revised plan to reconstruct a nature path running from 51st Street to the Intracoastal Waterway. The project, aimed at improving access and creating a more usable space, had previously faced opposition due to concerns over its scale. The proposed path, once a dirt road used by bridge tenders and later by anglers and kayakers, had fallen into disrepair over the years. After closing the road to vehicles due to frequent flooding, the city secured a grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection to fund the project, which will involve leveling the route and installing benches and interpretive signs. City officials aim to begin construction in the fall, with completion expected by the following winter.
A significant change from the previous proposal is that the more extensive plan, which would have raised the walkway to provide additional flood protection, has been abandoned in favor of a simpler solution.
Some residents expressed concerns about parking and potential flooding of the path during storms, but city staff assured them that the path would remain above high tide, though susceptible to submersion during severe weather. Despite the revisions, some neighbors welcomed the improvements, highlighting the scenic views and wildlife along the route. The meeting also addressed concerns about potential disruptions to local turtle nesting, but officials confirmed that the work would not interfere with the turtles’ activities.