Feels like summer!
Category: Life at the Shore
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“Highest Part of the Island”
Selling real estate on the island for 30+ years, I can’t tell you how many home owners proclaim that their property is located “on the highest part of the island”.  I’ve even heard my husband make the claim about our street when talking with neighbors!
For clarification, the Borough of Stone Harbor provides supporting data – a color coded brochure mailed to each property owner (and available on their web site):
http://stone-harbor-nj.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/GeneralElevationMapColor.pdf
The green sections are the true “highest points” in Stone Harbor. Most are along the beach/ dunes, and in the south end past the Bird Sanctuary. The white areas are next, and cover most of the blocks between First and Second Avenues. The blocks between Second and Third Avenues are a mixture of white and yellow elevations. In my experience, the yellow areas will see standing water in the street during a heavy rain storm/high tide combination. The bayside of town is mostly orange, with sections of pink (the lowest elevation). These areas will flood during storms. Residents are told to move their cars to avoid salt water damage. Flooding may be limited to the street and just over the sidewalk- but potential buyers should be aware of the situation.
The elevation levels in Avalon follow a similar pattern- Â the highest sections are closer to the beach rather than along the bay (with the exception of the man-made lagoon area- Pelican, Seagull, Flamingo, and Heron Drives).
Bottom line? When you live in a beautiful community surrounded by water, understanding the lay of the land is just part of the deal 🙂
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Bulk Trash Pick Up
Both Avalon and Stone Harbor provide Bulk Trash pick up days in May to help with spring cleaning of your garage, shed, closets, etc.
Specifics from the Borough web site:
Curbside placement of old furniture, appliances and “junk†permitted within 72 hours prior to these dates. Construction debris will not be removed.
In Avalon, bulk trash pick up starts this Friday April 29th, and continues until after the Borough wide yard sale weekend.  All items to be on the curb no later than Monday, May 9th.
In Stone Harbor, curb side pick up is the following Monday, May 16th.
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Birder?
How did this happen?
After years (and years…and years) of walking the beach and kayaking in the back bay, I can now identify several species of shore birds by sight, and even by sound.
This time of year, I am entertained by the precise fishing skills of the ospreys.
And, I try to photograph the colorful and fast moving  American oystercatchers.
There are at least 6 hanging out near the Point in the south end of Stone Harbor (traveling in pairs).
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Southend Avalon- New Construction
Great opportunity to be involved with selections for this NEW home on 77th Street in Avalon NJ.
Popular floor plan- 3 levels of spacious living and decks…plus a heated pool! Â Approximately 3800 square feet.
MLS link- for more information and pictures of a similar home- click here.
$2,195,000 with all appliances included. Â December 2016 completion.
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Stone Harbor Beach Update
I posted earlier in the week about the Avalon beaches.
In Stone Harbor, the beaches from 80th Street to the down town area are in great shape (picture of the 88th Street pavilion below). Â Use caution when walking along the 84th Street area while the Borough completes the drain pipe removal.
South of 96th Street, the public works department is actively making repairs to the dune paths for better access. Â There are still a few in need of more sand to even out the slope (picture of the 108th Street path).
The beach widens again south of Nuns’ Beach (111th Street) and all those paths are in good shape.
Due to beach erosion near the Point, the Borough will not be able to accommodate the Hobie Cats this summer (typically 121st and south to the jetty).
And until all beach access points are repaired, many paths remain closed for safety reasons.
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Avalon Beach Update
I walked on my lunch break today (the advantage of an office near the beach…and leaving sneakers in my car!) Â Plus, I wanted to provide an update on the condition of the beach, and access paths.
27th Street north to the jetty (8th Street):
The beaches adjacent to the boardwalk are in good shape (see top photo taken from 27th Street looking toward the fishing pier). Â There are a few paths that need moderate repairs to smooth out the drop off at the end of the path (on the beach side).
From 20th Street and north, all beach paths are functional except those on 14th through 11th Streets (lower picture is of the 17th Street path). The Borough of Avalon plans to add sand to make the more substantial repairs to those paths.
And my observation from recent walks: the beaches from 30th Street and south to 80th Street are all in great shape, too.
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Spring at the Shore
The roller coaster weather of spring at the shore!
Much better conditions today, with the added bonus of the flowering pear trees blooming along Dune Drive 🙂
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Windy—er
Yes, it’s often windy along the coast…but last night and today are REALLY windy!
Gusts that make your house shake. Â Howling winds that sound like a freight train. Loose objects flying down the street. Outside shower doors banging.
On my drive to work, I avoided several runaway trash cans, and one toppled porta-potty!
