Gunnison Beach is open!

I went yesterday, June 4. The day was perfect; nice cool breeze close to the ocean, nice sunshine. it was a 10! They didn't charge yesterday for parking, nice; no blue matting or tables near the shower, not too good. End just a longer walk without the blue matting. Keep your eyes on the weather forecast and get out there. Some braved the water, but that was not me.

Enjoy

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RE:Gunnison Beach is open!

Went today. Busy for a weekday. Groups generally spaced 6' apart or more.
Few masks.
Beach a little too hot, water a little too cool.

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RE:Gunnison Beach is open!

Open during week ?

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RE:Gunnison Beach is open!

Anyone wearing masks ? Was the area heading South open to walking to the other sign or closed because of the bird nesting ?

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RE:Gunnison Beach is open!

Looking forward to going there this summer. Will be going mostly Monday or Tuesdays in July and August. The water will be warmer for swimming. Hopefully they will allow more people on to the beach then 50% capacity. The blue mats will be placed,. Hopefully things can get back to the way it was, Not sure if that will actually happen but as close to as possible.

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RE:Gunnison Beach is open!

I've been very conservative about being in public and always wear a mask when with others but am not as concerned about the beach. As long as I am distanced, I don't think the mask is needed in a beach environment. I will wear one to and from the car. I'm not sure how often I will get to go to Gunnison, but very much look forward to that day.

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RE:Gunnison Beach is open!

I wonder what the capacity is that they might cut by 50% ? Or maybe by the parking lot capacity across the entire park?

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RE:Gunnison Beach is open!

I went last Tuesday (June 9). Nice sunny day; hot on the beach, cold in the water. Typical of this time of the year. As was said, most groups were separated at least 6' apart for social distancing. Things might have been a little tighter along "the ridge" by the water as they usually are, but I guess just like everywhere else, people seem to have different priorities surrounding the importance and degree of social distancing. We hung back and enjoyed the view from a 6' distance.

We brought lightweight masks with us just in case we needed them. I only put mine on to use the restroom (indoor space with strangers, right?) and when having to interact with people at closer than 6'. But we even kept those kinds of interactions to a minimum, instead trying to talk at others from at least 10' away just to be safe. Others seemed to be doing the same; after all, who wants a mask tan when one of the reasons to go to Gunnison is to get an all-over tan, right?

There was no toll collection or permits issued, but with all parking lots at Sandy Hook, half of each parking lot was barricaded. I guess this is their way of implementing 50% capacity. There were also no lifeguards on the beach, but the rangers were present a la normal. NPS does say on their website that they plan to resume parking fee collection sometime this month, presumably adding lifeguards too, but didn't say when exactly. If I had to guess, maybe today? If they are coordinating with the state, I think NJ is going full phase 2 today (June 15).

We might go tomorrow; we're still deciding if the forecast 77F high is warm enough. LOL

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I think that they blocked off half of all parking lots for a while in 2020.

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