Ever since I can remember I have hear ” The Wildwoods may have beach fees next year” and now again it’s in the news.

The Wildwoods beach have always been free, but now all 3 towns that makeup The Wildwoods are talking about beach fees again.

Last year with Covid-19 many shore towns lost millions of dollars in tax dollars and are looking for revenue to keep these towns above water and services running. The numbers are not out yet of exactly what the losses in taxes on rooms, tourist related taxes and other fees were, but you can expect higher state, county and local taxes for years to come.

Beach fees will not happen in 2021, but beach tags could be coming to the three towns that makup The Wildwoods – North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest in the near future. The beaches in Lower Township in the Diamond Beach area still have to weigh in on what they will do.

For the City of Wildwood, the boardwalk needs to be rebuilt and will cost at least $60 million to $70 million. North Wildwood will also have to be rebuilt the boardwalk but they face the expense of eroded beaches every year that cost millions of dollars to replenish.

Wildwood Crest Mayor Don Cabrera said ” “I think it’s inevitable that it will happen eventually, the question is when.”

North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said.”The beaches are used by millions of people, but paid for by local property owners”

As always, we will keep you posted on news from The Wildwoods and all over Cape May County.