Avalon has one of only few remaining high dune systems on the East Coast. $3 Dune Walks, guided by Wetlands Institute staff, will be offered Wednesdays at 9AM, June 18th - September 10th, at the 48th Street dune path. Also, enjoy five miles of clean, wide beaches.
Two species of endangered nesting birds, Piping Plovers and Least Terns, visit Avalon each summer to nest in the sand, between 43rd to 60th Streets. Certain areas will be posted as nesting begins and access will be prohibited. During the nesting season, beach raking will be coordinated to avoid destruction of nests. Some areas of wrack line (high tide "grassy" line) may be left to provide a feeding area for chicks. A brochure about these birds is available at Community Hall (30th Street & the Beach) or call a state wildlife biologist at 609-628-2103.
To partially offset the cost of maintaining and protecting its beaches for your enjoyment, Avalon requires that beach tags be worn by all using the beach, 12 yrs or older, 10 AM to 5 PM, June 1 through September 1, 2008. Pre-season beach tags may be purchased weekends beginning March 22nd at the Beach Tag Booth at Community Hall. Other beach tags may be purchased daily April 28th - September 1st at the booth or beginning June 1st from beach tag inspectors on the beach. Beach tag fees are: pre-season (purchased on or before May 31) $19.00; season tag (effective June 1) $24.00; weekly (Saturday through Saturday, $12.00 and daily, $6.00. Reciprocity of beach tags is observed between Avalon and Stone Harbor.
Fires, alcoholic beverages, bottles, glass, sharp objects, loud noise, indecent language or actions are strictly prohibited. Picnicking is permitted. Place refuse in trash cans, paper/glass/aluminum in recycling containers. NO DOGS permitted on beach, boardwalk or dunes ANYTIME between March 1 and Sept. 30. No sleeping on beach or boardwalk from sunset to sunrise. Trespassing on the dunes is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Use the paths only. BICYCLES permitted on the boardwalk ONLY between 5 AM and 10 AM. Motorized bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades, roller-skates and mopeds are NOT PERMITTED on the boardwalk ANYTIME.
For your protection, bathing and swimming are permitted only protected beaches where lifeguards are on duty 10am to 5pm, June 7th through August 18th. From May 24 - June 8 and August 19 through September 8, a limited number of lifeguards will be assigned to one or more designated beaches as available personnel permits. Use of rafts, surfboards and catamarans are permitted only at designated beaches.
Catamarans are not permitted, pursuant to Resolution 247-2004
Protected Beaches: 9th, 12th, 15th, 18th, 21st, 24th, 26th, 28th, 30th, 32nd, 35th, 38th, 40th, 43rd, 50th, 57th, 61st, 65th, 69th, 73rd, 76th, and 78th Streets
Beach Paths: 44th, 48th, 50th, 57th Streets
USE OF RAFTS AND SURF BOARDS permitted ONLY AT DESIGNATED BEACHES
Raft Beaches: 12th, 18th, 24th, 28th, 35th, 40th, 50th, 61st, 69th, and 78th Streets
Surfing Beach: 30th Street
WARNING: If you swim before 10AM or after 5PM or when lifeguards are not on duty or if you swim at a beach which is not a designated beach, you do so AT YOUR OWN RISK and the Borough of Avalon assumes no liability or responsibility.
Picnicking on the beach is permitted. However, please place refuse in trash and recycling containers. It is illegal to litter. Fires, alcoholic beverages, bottles, glass, sharp objects, loud noise, indecent language, or actions are STRICTLY PROHIBITED. No sleeping on the beach or boardwalk from sunset to sunrise. Trespassing on the dunes and in areas posted for endangered Beach Nesting Birds is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Please use the paths provided.
The use of public docks shall be at the risk of the user. Use of the public docks during the hours of darkness, alcoholic beverages and picnicking are prohibited.
Avalon has a one-half mile boardwalk for your walking pleasure. BICYCLES are permitted on the boardwalk ONLY between 5 AM & 10 AM. Motorized bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, and mopeds are NOT PERMITTED on the boardwalk ANYTIME.
Public parking is available in Borough lots at 30th & Dune Drive next to the Public Safety Building; 32nd & Dune Drive behind the Municipal Building; 28th-30th Street and the beach; and on the corner of 21st Street and 5th Avenue.
Public restrooms are located in Borough Hall (32nd & Dune Drive), Public Safety Building (31st & Dune Drive), Community Hall (30th & the beach), Tennis Buildings (8th and 39th Streets), 10th and Dune Drive, and 30th Street and the beach (next to the Tot Lot).
Ramps to the boardwalk are located at 21st, 29th, 30th, and 32nd Streets. There are ramps from the boardwalk to the beach at 30th Street, to the beach at 8th & Avalon Avenue and to an observation platform and to the beach at 80th Street. Hard packed gravel paths from the street to the beach are located at 32nd, 38th, and 60th Streets. Handicapped parking is available at 30th and 32nd Streets. Surf chairs for the disabled are available. Call Beach Patrol Headquarters (967-7587) to reserve one or ask the Beach Patrol for help in transporting a disabled person from home to the beach. Handicapped accessible bay front piers are located at 8th, 23rd, 24th, 33rd, 37th, 53rd, and 57th Streets. Handicapped restrooms are located at 30th and the beach and at the 10th Street & Dune Drive Recreation Field. The Senior Citizen Center (31st Street & Dune Drive), Borough Hall (32nd Street & Dune Drive) and Community Hall (30th Street & the beach) are handicapped accessible.
DOGS AND CATS
Dogs and cats must be licensed; an animal control warden is employed by the Borough. DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE BEACH, BOARDWALK OR DUNES ANYTIME between March 1st and September 30th. In other areas of the Borough, dogs must be kept on a leash (when not confined) and their droppings must be retrieved immediately by the person in charge of the dogs.