Big Progress At Island Beach State Park; Christmas Tree Project Is Working

Island Beach State Park manager Ray Bukowski told Patch the southern half of the park would most likely begin to open to the public within the next month.

Bukowski said the area would probably be opened in three stages, from north to south, with the final stage being the end of the park's road to Barnegat Inlet. Currently, members of the public are allowed as far in as the park's administration building, and parking is available at OBA 1. Beach buggy owners can also access that portion of the park, and 2012 beach buggy permits are still being honored.

Bukowski said park officials are concerned with the number of people feeding wild foxes that live in the park.

If people continue to feed the animals, they will lose their natural fear of cars and humans and be subject to getting hurt. They may also suffer from health issues related to consuming food they are not meant to eat. Additionally, said Bukowski, motor vehicle accidents have occurred when people stop their vehicles to get out and approach the animals.

Park officials encourage all visitors to leave the foxes alone, and more strict enforcement of rules against stopping vehicles or feeding foxes may come.