To the Residents of Belmar and Belmar Beachgoers, 

I have heard from many of you about your dissatisfaction with the removal of the bathroom at 3rd Ave beach. In my opinion this is unacceptable. Please join me in signing a petition to request that the Mayor and Council continue to work with the DEP to advocate for the return of the 3rd Ave bathroom. This issue affects our community, particularly seniors, families with young children, and individuals with disabilities. As a lifelong resident of Belmar, I understand our community's unique needs and have always valued our ability to accommodate visitors. The demand for the 3rd Ave bathroom remains high, as evidenced by the numerous comments I’ve received this summer.

The administration’s justification for this removal pertains to DEP regulations.  We are told the DEP will not issue permits for the bathroom trailers because the concrete pads under the trailers cannot be removed in advance of a serious storm.  

All the bathroom trailers presently on the beach (except the one at 3rd Avenue) are in spots where permanent bathrooms previously existed and the administration is working with DEP to determine if permits can be issued for those trailers while it works on creating permanent bathrooms.

I commend the administration for its efforts to maintain the current bathrooms while planning for permanent solutions. However, I urge the administration to work with DEP to gain approval for the 3rd Avenue bathroom or look for other ways it can provide bathroom facilities at that location.

Let's come together and advocate for the return of the 3rd Ave bathroom to our boardwalk.

Sincerely,

Johanna Roper Robinson