Accessible beaches close to home

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Happy Wednesday, New Jersey! 

🏖️Summer’s just around the corner, and that means beach season is almost here. If mobility or accessibility concerns have made beach days a challenge in the past, don’t worry — we’ve rounded up some of the most accessible, inclusive beaches right here in Monmouth County. Read on to find your perfect spot in the sun!

👀What’s on tap this week:

• 🌿 Go native — with plants! 

• 🧑‍🌾 Step back in time at Walnford Day!

• 📅 Upcoming events you won’t want to miss

Up first…

🏖️Monmouth’s Best Wheelchair-Accessible Beaches

Soak up the sun, sea, and sand — no barriers required! New Jersey is home to a number of beautiful beaches that go the extra mile to welcome everyone, offering thoughtful features like ramps, beach mats, accessible parking, and more. Whether you're planning a family trip or a solo seaside escape, these inclusive shore spots make sure everyone can enjoy the magic of the Jersey Shore. Read on to discover your next mobility-friendly beach get-away!

🏖️Asbury Park

Famous for its colorful murals, indie arts scene, and legendary boardwalk vibes, Asbury Park is more than just a music lover’s paradise — it’s also one of the most mobility-friendly beach towns on the Jersey Shore!

🌊 Accessibility Highlights:

• Wheelchair-accessible entrance ramps to the historic beachfront promenade

• Ramps leading to the sand plus beach mats at every beach entrance

• Accessible parking with curb cuts on every block

• Bonus: Metered handicapped spaces are free 🎉

🦽 Need a beach wheelchair?
You’re covered! Free WaterWheels adaptive surf chairs and standard beach wheelchairs are available by reservation — and can even be delivered to your spot on the beach. 📞 To reserve, call the Asbury Park Beach Office at 732-502-8863

🏨 Travel Tip:
Asbury Park was ranked one of Travel + Leisure’s Top 25 Beaches in the U.S. for 2024! Planning an overnight? Check out the iconic Asbury Hotel, which offers stylish, accessible accommodations close to all the action.

🌅 Avon-by-the-Sea

Seaside serenity meets easy access in the charming town of Avon-by-the-Sea — a true hidden gem for those seeking a barrier-free beach day!

🛟 Here’s how Avon makes beachgoing a breeze:

• Borrow a surf chair at the beach entrances on Sylvania or Norwood Avenues for smooth sailing over the sand 🏄‍♀️

• Enjoy accessible parking and curb cuts at every block

• Access the beach via ramps at East End Avenue and between Garfield & Lincoln Avenues

• Stroll the scenic boardwalk, complete with ramps to the sand and beach mats reaching the high tide line 🌊

🚻 Know Before You Go:
You’ll find accessible restrooms and convenient snack bars at Lincoln Avenue and at the popular Avon Pavilion — perfect for grabbing a bite with an ocean view! 🌭🍦Come experience all the beauty of the beach — without the barriers.

🏖️Long Branch

Looking for a beach that blends accessibility with vibrant coastal energy? Long Branch has you covered — from sandy toes to shopping sprees!

🚗 Getting There is Easy:
You’ll find plenty of accessible parking along the beachfront, on side streets, and at Pier Village. There’s also a city-owned lot at Second Avenue & Broadway and dedicated accessible spots at Morris Avenue Beach.

🛣️ Smooth Beach Access:
ADA-compliant ramps are located at:

• Morris Avenue North

• Chelsea Avenue

• Pavilion Avenue

• North Bath Avenue

• Cottage Place

• West End Avenue

🦽 Need a surf or water chair?
A limited number are available — just ask any ticket booth attendant or call the Beach Office at 732-571-5697 to reserve yours.

🛍️ Know Before You Go:
Make time to stroll through Pier Village, where you’ll find one-of-a-kind shops, delicious eats, lively events, and fun for all ages. It’s the perfect way to round out your beach day!

📅 Can’t-Miss Local Events

🌿 Go Native — with Plants! 🌿

Saturday, May 17 | Deep Cut Gardens, Middletown

Green thumbs, rejoice! The Monmouth County Park System is hosting a Native Plant Workshop & Exchange at the beautiful Deep Cut Gardens (152 Red Hill Road, Middletown), and it’s the perfect excuse to dig in the dirt — literally!

🌱 Here’s the scoop:

• 8:30–10 a.m.: Drop off your native plants (or houseplants!) in labeled containers (4-inch, one-quart, or 1–2 gallon sizes).

• 9:15–10:15 a.m.: Free lecture on how to use native plants in your landscape. (Space is limited, so arrive early!)

• After the lecture: Let the plant swap begin! Take home the same number and size of plants you brought. It's a gardener’s version of "shop 'til you drop" — but with soil!

Only native plants from the Mid-Atlantic region are accepted for the exchange — except houseplants, which are welcome regardless of origin. 🌺🪴To check what’s acceptable to bring, visit the Deep Cut Gardens page on the Park System’s website. Questions? Call 732-671-6050 and let your garden adventure begin!

🧑‍🌾Step Back in Time at Walnford Day!

Sunday, May 18 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold

History, pie, music, and wagon rides — oh my! Gather the whole family for a delightful day at Historic Walnford, where the past comes to life in the most entertaining ways.

Here’s what’s on the agenda at this FREE event:
🎶 Live bluegrass with the Magnolia Street String Band (2–4 p.m.)
👢 Line dancing to kick things off (11 a.m.–1 p.m.)
🌾 A working 19th-century gristmill in action
🏛️ Tours of the Waln family's elegant historic home
🚜 Wagon rides through the grounds (1–4 p.m.)
🥧 And yes — a pie-eating contest! Kids: 1:30 p.m.; Adults: 1:45 p.m. Sign-ups are day-of… and bragging rights are eternal!

Come for the history, stay for the fun — and don’t forget to bring your appetite. 🍽️ For more info, visit MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.

🌼 Spring Craft Show at Allaire 🌼

Get ready for a delightful day of shopping, strolling, and soaking up spring! The Spring Craft Show returns to the Historic Village at Allaire on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — and it’s one of the top craft events on the Jersey Shore!

🧵 Explore handcrafted treasures from talented local artisans, all set against the charming backdrop of Allaire State Park, located at Atlantic Ave., Wall, N.J.

🎟️ Admission: Just $5 per person (ages 10 and up)

New Grocery Store Opens in Freehold

Attention, Monmouth County shoppers! A brand-new Lidl supermarket is now open at 91 Trotters Way in Freehold. The European grocery chain celebrated its grand opening on May 9th and is welcoming shoppers daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. The store offers several features that might be especially appealing to seniors including:

• 🧭 Simple, shopper-friendly layout — wide, brightly-lit aisles

• 🍞 Warm, fresh-baked treats all day — sold individually

• 🥩 Perfectly sized portions of meats and seafood — no waste, no fuss

• 🧀 Handpicked European favorites — no passport required

• 🛍️ New treasures every week: Items range from clothing and shoes, to housewares, personal beauty items and children’s toys.

• 💐Fresh flowers delivered daily, along with planters and hanging baskets, all reasonably priced.

Some tempting items to look for on your first visit include their famous 49-cent butter croissants, authentic Italian Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, ready-to-heat premium Italian pastas, and European-style frozen pizzas when cooking isn't in the cards. While there are no senior discounts available, the MyLidl app offers exclusive deals and a rewards program to maximize your savings! For more information, visit lidl.com.

📰Prime Time News

Links to the latest news on aging from trusted media sources.

How the Social Security Administration Is Coping with Rapid Change: There has been a fair amount of change at the SSA since Trump took office. Here's a look at what's new this year and how it will impact the agency going forward. Kiplinger, May 6.

There's Nothing Corny About Foot Pain: What is a corn — and how does it differ from a callus, wart or bunion? Whether it's from your shoes, a bunion, or something else, pain can keep you off your feet. Next Avenue, May 5.

Shingles Vaccine Could Protect Heart Health: The shingles vaccine has benefits that stretch beyond protecting older adults from the painful skin condition, a new study says. HealthDay News, May 7.

Travel Deals for Retirees: Hotels, Cruises and More: Older adults can access special discounts on a variety of travel deals, including hotel stays, airfare, car rentals, cruises, attractions, and entertainment. Kiplinger, May 10.

Moderna's Combo Flu and COVID Shot Shows Promise: A new vaccine that combines flu and COVID-19 protection in one shot shows promising results, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it wants more data before it can be approved. HealthDay News, May 8.

Your Social Security Card Will Soon be Available Digitally: The Social Security Administration is rolling out the new form of identification as an alternative to paper Social Security cards. CNBC, May 5

'What I Learned About Survivor Benefits After My Husband Died': Survivor benefits can be complex, even if you don’t think you have a complicated financial situation. Next Avenue, May 7.

📚 Events at the Library This Week

From author talks to craft classes and movie nights, local libraries are buzzing with fun, free happenings for seniors. Stop by and discover what’s going on beyond the bookshelves!

🧶 Yarn Works: A Crochet & Knit Drop-In
📅 Wednesday, May 14
🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Allentown Branch
Bring your own yarn project and join fellow crafters for a casual, creative session. All skill levels welcome. No registration required. Questions? Call Shannon Foster at 609-259-7565.

📑 Estate Planning Seminar
📅 Wednesday, May 14
🕐 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM
📍 Colts Neck Branch
Attorney Paul R. Daniele discusses estate planning, powers of attorney, living wills, and more. Educational only. Registration recommended.

🧠 Time is Brain! Stroke Awareness Talk
📅 Wednesday, May 14
🕐 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
📍 Holmdel Branch
Learn the signs of a stroke and the importance of quick action in this talk by Hackensack Meridian Health.

Norwegian Knitting & Hardanger Demo
📅 Thursday, May 15
🕥 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Watch traditional Norwegian folk crafts demonstrated live at the library.

🎖️ Operation Gunnerside WWII Presentation
📅 Thursday, May 15
🕜 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Learn about the daring mission to halt Nazi atomic research during WWII.

♟️ Holmdel Chess Club
📅 Thursday, May 15
🕔 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Holmdel Branch
All ages and skill levels welcome to drop in and play. No registration required.

💬 Stephen King Book Club: Pet Sematary
📅 Thursday, May 15
🕖 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Atlantic Highlands Branch
Discuss King's haunting tale with fellow fans. Moderated by Lauren Garcia.

🌿 WISE: Wellness for Senior Education
📅 Friday, May 16
🕜 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Ocean Township Branch
Interactive sessions to help seniors stay healthy and engaged. Light refreshments provided.

💬 One-on-One SHIP Medicare Help
📅 Monday, May 19
🕝 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Library Headquarters, Manalapan
Free assistance with Medicare-related questions. First come, first served.

🧶 Kelly’s Knit and Crochet Circle
📅 Monday, May 19
🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Howell Branch
Bring your own materials and join others for springtime crafting fun.

📚 Starting and Running a Successful Book Club
📅 Monday, May 19
🕖 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Get expert tips on launching and maintaining a great book group.

📖 The Poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins
📅 Tuesday, May 20
🕑 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
📍 Eastern Branch, Shrewsbury
Explore the rhythms and imagery of this Victorian poet. Registration appreciated.

🌍 Beyond Our Backyard

Check out these fun events happening around the Garden State — perfect for a day trip!

🦅 See Birds Soar During Spring Migration
📅 Now through May 19
📍 Cape May, Sandy Hook, and other NJ birding hotspots
Grab your binoculars and head to Cape May—named a World’s Best birding destination by National Geographic—to witness the incredible spring migration. Explore Cape May Point State Park, Higbee Beach, and the Bird Observatory to spot warblers, plovers, swallows, and swans. Or visit Sandy Hook to catch glimpses of ospreys, hawks, and more.

🎷 Be Wowed by Sound at the Exit Zero Jazz Festival
📅 May 16–18
📍 Cape May Convention Hall & venues throughout Cape May
Feel the rhythm in the Southern Shore Region with this year’s powerhouse lineup: Samara Joy Octet, Terence Blanchard: Flow, and Captain Black Big Band with Lisa Fischer. Details and tickets at ExitZeroJazzFestival.com.

🏛️ Think Globally on International Museum Day
📅 Saturday, May 18
📍 Museums statewide
Celebrate global culture by visiting world-class collections across New Jersey. Highlights include Newark Museum of Art’s acclaimed Tibetan and African art, Rutgers’ Zimmerli Art Museum, and the brand-new Edelman Fossil Park & Museum.

More Events

• May 16 – 18 – New Jersey Seafood Festival (Point Pleasant, Ocean County)

• May 17 – Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the “Standing Cellist” (Paramus, Bergen County)

• May 17 – The Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD – Salome (West Long Branch, Monmouth County)

• May 17 – Beach Haven Heritage Day (Beach Haven, Ocean County)

• May 17 & 18 – Ocean Fun Days (Seaside Heights, Ocean County)

• May 17 & 18 – Asbury Park Vegan Food Festival (Asbury Park, Monmouth County)

• May 17 & 18 – The New Jersey Renaissance Faire (Columbus, Burlington County)

• May 18 – Freehold Porch Festival (Freehold, Monmouth County)

🌟Community Spotlight

🎭 Broadway Dreams? Take the Stage! 
Auditions: Saturday, May 31 | 4–6 p.m. | Dorbrook Rec Area, Colts Neck

Do you belt out Wicked in the shower? Know every word to Grease? Or maybe you're more of a Phantom fan? Then this one’s for you! The Monmouth County Park System is holding auditions for “A Tribute to All Things Broadway Through the Decades” — a dazzling celebration of musical theater from the 1930s to today.

🎤 Who can audition?
Anyone ages 10 and up — from rising stars to seasoned showstoppers!

🎶 What to bring: A song from a Broadway musical, with lyrics and sheet music (yes, the real deal — no karaoke tracks!)

Two performances are set for Saturday, September 13 — one in the afternoon, one in the evening — so you’ll have your moment to shine under the stage lights!

🎟️ Want to learn more? Email director Maria Stadtmueller at
📧 [email protected]

🎉 Happy Birthday Shoutouts!

 🎂Happy 75th Birthday to Hal Zemick of Marlboro!
Wishing you a fantastic day filled with joy, laughter, and all your favorite things. Here's to health, happiness, and many more great years ahead!

A few other notable people who share Hal's birthday include:
🎬 George Lucas (born 1944) – legendary creator of Star Wars
🎤 David Byrne (born 1952) – frontman of the Talking Heads
🏆 Mark Zuckerberg (born 1984) – co-founder of Facebook
📚 Cate Blanchett (born 1969) – Oscar-winning actress

Have a stellar celebration, Hal! 🥳

💲 Senior Savings & Deals

🛒 ShopRite: Senior Discount Day every Tuesday (5% off!)
🍽 Denny’s: 15% off for AARP members
👗Ross Dress for Less: 10% off every Tuesday for those 55+

🌤️ Weather Watch

☔ Wednesday: Showers likely, cloudy, high near 67°
🌥️ Thursday: 40% chance of showers after 2pm, high near 72°
🌦️ Friday: 40% chance of showers after 2pm, high near 79°
⛅ Saturday: 40% chance of showers, partly sunny, high near 82°
☀️ Sunday: Mostly sunny, high near 76°

That’s a wrap!

🙏A big thank you to all you Jersey folks who stop mid-sandwich to chase down a runaway beach ball, shoo seagulls away from someone’s snacks, or help roll a beach wheelchair over dunes. You prove every day that New Jerseyeans are not just strong—they’re also pretty sweet when they encounter a stranger in need of help. 💪🧡

💌 Have an event or story to share? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

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😊See you next week!

The Better With Age New Jersey team