September 4, 2026

Dear Friends,

I want to thank everyone who took time out of their weekend to attend last Saturday’s mayor’s town hall meeting at the Ocean City Free Public Library. For anybody who was not able to attend, video of the meeting and a copy of the slide presentation are available on the city website: ocnj.us/news/post/23149/. I provided updates on a number of important city improvement projects on tap and answered questions from the public.

The town hall video and presentation slides include information and graphics on the 34^th Street Sandcastle Park renovation project, which will start on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The park will close as we begin the complete transformation of an entire city block into an updated recreational facility serving people of all ages. The work will be staged with the playground being the first priority. I look forward to the reopening of the entire park in time for next summer. All personalized fence pickets and pavers are being preserved, and they will be reinstalled as the project takes shape.

The beach replenishment project is approaching its final stages and should be complete early next week. Please be aware that the contractor is tentatively scheduled to begin demobilization of pipes and equipment on Sept. 9. Beach access at Morningside Road and a section of Beach Road will be closed. Please use caution in this area as trucks leave the island. Daily updates are always available ocnj.us/beachupdate.  

The weekend weather forecast looks beautiful, and the ocean temperature remains warm. Please swim only at guarded beaches. The updated list is always at ocnj.us/ocbp_guarded_beaches.

I want to invite Philadelphia Eagles fans of all ages to show their support by joining a parade on our Ocean City Boardwalk at 12 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. The parade will include bicycles and golf carts decorated in support of the Eagles, and it will proceed from Fifth Street to 14th Street. Retired star wide receiver Fred Barnett will lead the parade, and SWOOP and the Eagles Cheerleaders also will be on hand. The Eagles approached the city with the idea for this new event as a way to build some excitement ahead of the 2026 season, so let’s make sure we show them a great turnout. Anybody who wants to participate should pre-register at ocnj.us/eaglesparade.

I’m sad to report on the loss of Rosemarie Blyler at age 97 after a long and well-lived life in Ocean City. Rosemarie was a 1948 graduate of Ocean City High School. She once worked at the Flanders Hotel in its heyday and as a telephone operator. She also worked at a local beauty salon, for the family business, Voss Plumbing, as a crossing guard and police dispatcher, and at the Music Pier Welcome Center. She was involved in many community organizations, and I went to school and graduated with her daughter Davida. Please join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to her family, friends and everyone who knew this exceptional woman.

The Ocean City Pops will perform “Dinosaurs, Aliens, & Adventure: The Movie Music of John Williams” at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 at the Music Pier. For tickets, visit oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, call 609-399-6111 or stop by the welcome centers at City Hall, the Ninth Street causeway or the Music Pier Box Office.

The 35th annual Labor Day Race on the beach is set for Monday morning. The 5-mile and 1-mile events start at 9 a.m., and race-day registration opens at 7:30 a.m.[DB1]  For more information, visit www.ocnj.us/OCNJ-LABOR-DAY-RACE.

I hope you have a great holiday weekend with family and friends. Please check out this week's "Inside City Hall" video below.

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor

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