Toms River Township’s 18 municipal parks and the Bey Lea Golf Course will reopen sunrise on Saturday, May 2, 2020, following Executive Order 133, announced by Governor Murphy’s office yesterday.
The Executive Order states:
• Parking at parks will be limited to 50% capacity
• Playgrounds, restrooms, pavilions, tennis courts, pickle ball courts, basketball courts and visitors’ centers will remain closed
• Picnics and team sports are not allowed
Governor Murphy said passive recreation which includes running, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking, — will be allowed.
The order also opens golf courses and Bey Lea Golf Course is adopting the following social distancing policies that include:
• Implementing electronic or telephone reservation and payment systems while still providing options for populations that do not have access to internet service or credit cards;
• Extending tee times to sixteen minutes apart;
• Limiting the use of golf carts to one person unless being shared by immediate family members, caretakers, household members, or romantic partners;
• Requiring frequent, and after each use, sanitization of high-touch areas such as restroom facilities, range buckets, golf carts, and push carts;
• Restricting the touching of golf holes and flags;
• Closing golf center buildings, pro shops, and other buildings and amenities;
• Removing bunker rakes and other furniture-like benches, water coolers, and ball washers from the course;
• Discontinuing club and equipment rentals;
• Prohibiting the use of caddies; and
• Limiting tee times to two players unless the foursome consists of immediate family, caretakers, household members or romantic partners.
Restrooms at the golf course will be open and sanitized as well as all golf carts. The golf course may impose additional restrictions as necessary to limit person-to-person interactions.
The order also recommends, but does not order, that employees, players, and other individuals on the golf course wear cloth face coverings while on the golf course.
The governor stressed that visitors to parks and golfers must continue to practice safe social distancing, including a strong recommendation to wear face coverings. He said he reserves the right to reverse his decision if people do not comply. Township officials and the Toms River Police Department will be in charge of making sure people following social distancing and parking guidelines.
Mayor Maurice B. Hill said, “I, along with other Ocean County mayors have been encouraging Governor Murphy to reopen our parks and golf courses. The outdoors, exercise, sunshine and fresh air are all good for people’s immune systems and health. I am glad that the State took the first step in starting to reopen our facilities.”