Borough of Point Pleasant Beach Point Pleasant Beach Open Space Advisory Committee
July 8 , 2021 Meeting Minutes
Present: Maryann Ellsworth, Anne Lightburn, Cary Mulkeen and Sal Pepe,
Absent: Kristen Hennessy, Greg Cox, Glen Paesano. Kait Greenberg, Councilwoman Arlene Testa and Councilman Dog Vitale
Guests: John Olson and many residents from Lake Louise and Randall Avenue
Anne called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm and invited John Olson and guests to speak before committee deliberations on alternative locations for a kayak launch.
John Olson, Lake Louise Association member, presented a map of Lake Louise indicating ownership of the lake. John indicated that the Lake Louise Association had riparian rights which would prevent the borough from using that as an access point to the lake. However, there seemed to be a lack of clarity, as John also indicated he was not a lawyer regarding the ownership of the riparian rights for the borough’s street ends at Niblick and Boston and the lot off of Randall. Several guests provided their opinions on the safety of having kayak access at the Harvard Ave. Street end. Kayaks would have to navigate Cook’s Creek to reach the Lake Louise from the Manasquan and their opinion is that boat traffic and tides presented safety hazards.
Guests expressed other concerns where for the lack of parking on Randall. One guest indicated that the borough’s street end at Baltimore and the Manasquan would be a far better and safer location for the committee to consider for a kayak launch.
The committee discussed the borough’s proposed kayak launch site on Randall and Harvard Ave. They voted to recommend to the council to not pursue building the kayak launch at this time due to the safety concerns expressed for navigating Cook’s Inlet. Additionally the committee was directed by the council to find alternative locations to Harvard Avenue and felt the county kayak launch on Broadway would continue to serve residents at this time.
The committee voted to recommend that the borough have legal and/or engineer support to establish clear ownership and riparian rights for Lake Louise. This would clarify what the borough can do with their properties around the lake including the use of the water by boaters entering from the Manasquan through Cook’s Creek to the lake.
The committee voted that Little Silver and Lake of the Lillies are potential learning sites for kayaks and paddleboards. However, they are not recommending building any structure on either lake for these purposes as both can be easily walked into for either activity.
The committee voted to recommend a legal search by the borough to establish riparian rights for Little Silver and Lake of the Lillies.
The committee voted to recommend a bench for Little Silver in the open viewing area on the shoreline across from Boston Ave. entrance to the parking lot. The committee has funds to purchase this bench based on borough approval and input as to type.
Due to inconsistencies between the borough’s Open Space and Recreation Plan’s listing of ROSI properties and the borough’s ROSI listings on the Green Acres website, the committee voted to recommend that the borough follow-up with Green Acres to resolve these inconsistencies.
Meeting adjourned at 9:10 pm.
