Season beach badges, parking permits on sale

The Brick Township Recreation Department has announced that season beach badges and season parking permits for summer 2008 are now on sale in the Brick Recreation Department. The price for season badges is $25 if purchased prior to June 15. After that date, the price increases to $30 for season badges. The price for season parking is $30 for Brick residents and $40 for nonresidents and includes any applicable sales tax. Children 12 and under are free. Checks or money orders only will be accepted for payment in the recreation office.

Beginning May 24 through Labor Day, season badges and parking permits will be available at the Ocean Beach I and III offices while supplies last. Daily badges and parking ($5 each per day) will also be available at these locations.

Again this year, Brick Township will grant free access to its beaches to any person age 65 and over (by Sept. 1). This year, season badges will not be issued through the recreation office. At the beach entrance, seniors may present proof of age that validates date of birth (such as driver's license, county ID, or birth certificate) and receive a free daily wristband permitting access to the beach. Drivers who are 65 or older (by Sept. 1) may present a valid driver's license at the entrance to the parking lot and will receive a daily senior parking permit at a reduced price of $1.

These free and reduced-price services will be available to any senior citizen who meets the age requirement on each day that Brick Township's ocean beaches are open to the public.

The 2008 beach hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends from Memorial Day to June 15 and Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from June 16 to Labor Day. The beaches will be open and guarded from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sept. 6, 7, 13 and 14.

Beach badges must be worn and visible at all times. Parking permits are hang tags and must be displayed on the vehicle rear view mirror at all times. No refunds or replacements will be issued for lost or stolen badges or permits.

Smoking is prohibited on Brick beaches except in designated areas.

The Brick Recreation Department is located in Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call (732) 262-1044.