Bring the family to Bayview Park

Let's face it: Vacationing can be pricey. But on Long Beach Island, it doesn't have to be. LBI offers many entertaining and affordable opportunities to its seasonal Shore visitors. In recent years, Long Beach Township has made it a priority to up the ante at Bayview Park, located at 68th St. and Long Beach Blvd. in Brant Beach, by providing daily and weekly activities that are fun, free and educational.

"It's a mission for me to bring families together and entertain them, as well as educate them about all the wonderful things there are to do on Long Beach Island," said Bayview Park Director, Joni Bakum. "There are a variety of free and enjoyable things to do and get involved in at the park. I want people to explore and expand on their own gifts and talents here," she added with enthusiasm.

Photo via Lorry's Motel
Picnic, play and enjoy the sunset at Bayview Park.

Bayview Park is home to a guarded bay beach, basketball court, gazebo, playground and picnic area, perfect for any family event. This season, the park will provide many of the same family oriented daily and weekly activities that were offered the past few summers, plus a few new events.

"Tuesdays in the Township" will kickoff with a Reshell the Bay seminar, a new program hosted by ReClam the Bay in conjunction with the LongBeach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences. Between 10 and 11 a.m., participants can paint their very own seashells and place them in the bay to help regenerate the shellfish population.

LBI artists and crafters will host an art party, 11 a.m. to noon, once a month immediately following the Reshell the Bay presentation. Dates are June 26, July 24 and Aug. 21.

Tuesday nights from July 3 to Aug. 28 will conclude with a musical concert between 7 and 10 p.m. The 2012 band schedule is: Verdict (July 3), Brian Clayton and the Green River Band (July 10), Paul Presto and Paul Jr. (July 17), Brue Crew (July 24), The Kootz (July 31), National Night Out (Aug. 7), Strictly 60’s (Aug. 14), Lighthouse (Aug. 21) and Face Down (Aug. 28).

"Jump In and Swim Wednesdays" will start bright and early at 6 a.m. with a freestyle swim in the bay, hosted by Zoom 3 Training coach Tommy Craig. Guided swim training will be available until 8 a.m.

The Splash and Dash Race Series, hosted by DQ Events, will take place once a month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Dates are set for June 27, July 25 (along with a Kids 2k Fun Run, 7:30 to 8 p.m.) and Aug. 22. Individual registration costs $30 in advance and $40 on race day. Team registration costs $50 in advance, or $60 on race day. Registration for the Kids 2k Fun Run costs $15 in advance, or $20 on race day. To register, visit dqtridu.com.

"Bay Day Thursdays" will begin at 10 a.m. with a ReClam the Bay presentation led by the organization's president, Rick Bushnell. From 11 a.m. to noon, Alliance for a Living Ocean will seine the bay during their "Sea Critter Roundup" and discuss what they scoop up, which could include seahorses, scallops, tiny blow fish and more. From noon to 1 p.m., Angela Contillo Andersen will lead participants in a discussion about the effects of recycling on Barnegat Bay, followed by a kayaking demonstration. Kayaks are provided free by Island Surf and Sail. The day will culminate alongside Deborah Whitcraft and Jeanette Lloyd from the New Jersey Maritime Museum as they tell old "Stories by the Bay" from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

"Family Fun Day Fridays" will host "Family Water Sport Night" alongside Island Surf and Sail. Water sport demonstrations, fun races, contests and in-water instructions will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m.

Photo via NJWWA
Water sports are great for trying out at the park.

Special events will be held all summer long, June through August. The fourth annual Fun Fest, designed to introduce the general public to water sports such as windsurfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, will kickoff on Sunday, July 15. The festival, sponsored by the New Jersey Windsurfing and Watersports Association, will run all day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration costs $15 for NJWWA members and $25 for non-members. To register, visit windsurfnj.org.

Island Surf and Sail will host a Paddle Day alongside the Southern Regional Autistic Class on Friday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A Women's Stand-up Paddle Challenge will take place the same day, 5 to 9 p.m. Fees will benefit Piece of the Puzzle Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to autism awareness.

DQ Events will host their third annual Triathlon/Duathlon Weekend, Sept. 15 and 16. A Kids Splash and Dash will take place on Saturday at 6 p.m. Registration costs $15 before Sept. 15 and $25 on race day. Sunday will consist of a Triathlon/Duathlon at 7:20 a.m. sharp. Registration before Sept. 9 costs $70 for the triathlon and $60 for the duathlon. Registration on or after Sept. 9 costs $85 for the triathlon and $75 for the dualthon. Pre-registration for triathlon relay teams (three members) costs $95 and $65 for duathlon relay teams (two members).

"People are looking for fun things to do with their families, and that's what we're trying to provide," said Bakum, while adding that if it wasn't for Mayor Joseph Mancini and Commissioners Ralph Bayard and Joseph Lattanzi, none of these activities would have been possible.

"Bayview Park is a gem and we want to use it to enhance the Island and its visitors' experiences," she added.

For more information about the upcoming events at Bayview Park, visit www.longbeachtownship.com or call 609-361-1000.


This article was published in The Beachcomber.