Jersey Strong...

Rebuilding Seaside Heights--Jersey Strong

Today (March 30, 2013), Fred and I took a ride to Seaside to see what my home town looked like. We didn’t go sooner because it was just too sad to see. I don’t understand how the boardwalk will be ready this Memorial Day to greet the season’s visitors; there is so much work to be completed. I hoping my doubt will be proven wrong.

There were a lot of people walking around the town today. Many folks were taking pictures of the destruction and the rebuilding. There were crews working on areas of the boardwalk. A lot of pilings have been placed in the sand and portions of the boardwalk are still in tack toward the Seaside Park end. The Sawmill restaurant was opened and a few other eateries nearby. The arcade adjacent to the Sawmill was closed. Fun Town Pier is practically demolished. If you remember the large T-Rex in the center of the amusements you will be happy to know he is still standing! Below are pictures from the area. If you click on the picture you will get a larger view.

 

End of the Funtown area; the arcade was partially opened
but you can see the candy shoppe was closed





End of  boardwalk entering Seaside Park's beach

 

We left the Fun Town area and drove up to Webster Avenue, the street that I lived on for many years. I wanted to see if the house was still there. I am glad to say it is. Below are pictures of the Webster Avenue boardwalk area. The parking lot on the corner was operational charging $5 per car. Meter parking was free until April 15.

The house looks great. Maybe there was water damage in the
lower apartments but the roof and exterior look like their are intact.



Midway Steak stand is still standing at Webster Aveune
There was a State Trooper guarding the area (every where you look you spot a trooper).
Fred started a conversation with the officer and learned he was from the metro crime squad in Newark.
He was having a pleasant day enjoying the sun and overtime. 



Webster Avenue beach--no boardwalk, no fence,
no ticket stand--just sand and ocean without boundries



Webster Avenue with Casino Pier in the distance

Our next stop was Casino Pier. On the way we saw some concessioners were operating from the street area. Very ingenious!



Arcade was closed



So much is gone from Casino Pier.
Notice the Kohr's stand isn't in the picture.
On the other side of the street were some salvaged
amusements and large statues from the pier.

This is where the church's car raffles use to be sold.



To the right you can see the ferris wheel is
still standing on the Fun Town Pier



View of the infamous rollercoaster sitting in the water.
The entire rear of the pier is gone. It is so erie.
It looks like someone just picked it up and dropped it upright!
It reminded me of the scene in Planet of the Apes when they approach the Statue of Liberty.
I always remember that rollercoaster because my little sister and I use to ride it.
The first time we rode it she broke her glasses.
I wonder what happened to the other amusements at the end of the pier.



We can only hope that Seaside will come back better than ever

for future generations to enjoy.