Crest Dog Park Gets ‘Ruff’ Reception; Atlantic Ave. Meters, Permits to End

WILDWOOD CREST – Wildwood Crest Borough Commission meeting April 20 produced some opposition voices from residents who are not so sure that taxpayers should pay for a dog park.
Some wanted to know why it is government’s responsibility to provide a place for dogs to run free when owners should take responsibility to care for their own dogs. 
Commissioner Don Cabrera responded that because Wildwood Crest is a resort community, modern trends in hospitality include pet-friendly tourist services that often include dog parks. He noted that other resort towns are already offering those amenities. 
He also stated that many residents also expressed an interest in the park by way of a petition that was circulated last year. Cabrera summed up by saying that the least they should do is look into the possibility at this point, and that no final decision has been made.
Atlantic Avenue Meters
Parking on Atlantic Avenue also became a point of discussion.
Five residents pointed out that two years ago, meters were added to most of the length of Atlantic Avenue and that residents and summer visitors had the option to pay a $125 permit fee for unlimited parking on Atlantic near the beach.
Residents wondered why this option was being removed this year. Mayor Carl Groon explained that the two-year experiment did not work based on the number of complaints received about all the meters, so they gave up on the attempt.
Extra meters will be removed from the north end of Atlantic Avenue, and the yearly permit for Atlantic Avenue is no longer an option. Residents of the area must either continually feed meters or purchase the borough-wide $250 parking permit.
Whose Promenade?
Complaints were also heard about the promenade at Sunset Lake Park, where there have been incidents of bikers and pedestrians literally colliding; one resident spoke about a biker who became aggressive saying the promenade is for bikers, not walkers.
Groon acknowledged that there have been reports of problems not just at that location, but along the ocean promenade. He promised that he would discuss this with all department heads; there may be a need for new signage to resolve the problem.
Groon had no new information on the Army Corps of Engineers beach plan. He added that officials are working to get new school generators, and that they are also working to upgrade a facility to be used for emergency housing if necessary.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.