Beach Residents Speak Out On Kayak Launch Ramp

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ – A large turnout of residents came to Tuesday night’s Point Pleasant Beach council meeting to be heard on a proposed kayak launch ramp, whether they were for it or against it.

According to the residents there against the project, many of them found out about building a launch ramp into Cooks Creek at the end of Harvard Avenue from a letter sent to their homes from the borough informing them of the project.

Residents say that the area already has little to no room for the people who live there. The potential addition of cars dropping off kayaks then parking would further exacerbate the situation.

“I just think it’s a bad street,” resident John Cheasty said during the meeting. “You can’t put two cars side by side, one going in, one going out. It’s just not going to work.”

Agreeing with the complaints was Council President Arlena Testa.

“Of course, I want people to have access and our children and residents to enjoy the waterways, but we can find a better place,” said Ms. Testa. “Again, I have to respect the residents over there.”

Other residents feel that since Point Pleasant Beach is a seaside town with lake and river access, the town should have many water access points.

“We live in a town with a bunch of water, and everyone in the town should have access to that water,” Ocean Avenue resident Kim Allen said to the council.

“Make it easier for the people who live in a seaside town to use the water.”