Cape May County Approves Nearly $1 Million for Wildwood Beach Street End Improvements

Cape May County Approves Nearly $1 Million for Wildwood Beach Street End Improvements

The Cape May County Board of County Commissioners has approved a new funding agreement with the City of Wildwood that will bring significant improvements to two well used beach street ends.

Under Resolution No. 40-26, the Board authorized the execution of a Shared Services Agreement that will provide up to $935,650 for Beach Street End Improvements at Roberts Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. The funding will be allocated through the County’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, a long standing program designed to support public access, recreation, and preservation projects across Cape May County.

The agreement will be in effect from January 27, 2026 through June 1, 2027. An additional one year extension is included as an option if the City requests it and the County grants approval.

The Roberts Avenue and Lincoln Avenue project was submitted by the City of Wildwood as part of the County’s 2025 Open Space Program. It was reviewed by the Open Space Review Board and formally recommended for funding during its October 21, 2025 meeting. A public hearing was later held on December 9, 2025 at the Cape May County Administration Building, giving residents an opportunity to comment on the proposal before final approval was granted.

According to County officials, the planned improvements are designed to enhance public access to the beach while improving safety and adding recreational amenities at both street ends. While specific design elements have not yet been publicly detailed, projects funded through the Open Space Program typically focus on upgraded walkways, safer pedestrian connections, and features that better accommodate year round use by residents and seasonal visitors.

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The initiative aligns with the County’s broader goal of preserving open space while modernizing access to its extensive waterfront. Street ends serve as critical access points, particularly in shore communities like Wildwood where beach access is heavily relied upon during the summer months.

As the Board of Commissioners’ liaison to the Open Space Program, Bobby Barr emphasized the importance of cooperation between the County and local municipalities.

“By working together with the City of Wildwood, we’re investing in projects that protect public access to our beaches, improve quality of life for residents, and enhance the visitor experience that is so important to our local economy,” Barr said.

Projects like the Roberts Avenue and Lincoln Avenue improvements are not entirely new to Wildwood. In recent years, the City has undertaken similar upgrades at other beach street ends, focusing on safer pedestrian access, improved aesthetics, and better overall functionality. These improvements are often subtle but play a major role in how residents and visitors experience the beachfront.

Comparable work has also taken place in nearby Wildwood Crest, where beach access and street end projects have emphasized ADA compliance, improved pedestrian flow, and long term durability. Together, these efforts reflect a regional push to modernize aging access infrastructure while preserving public use and open space.

Under the terms of the Shared Services Agreement, the City of Wildwood will be solely responsible for permitting, construction, operation, and long term maintenance of the project. County funds will be released in accordance with the conditions outlined in the agreement and all applicable regulations.

County officials say the Roberts Avenue and Lincoln Avenue project builds on existing momentum, continuing a pattern of targeted investments aimed at improving how people access and experience Wildwood’s beaches while ensuring those access points remain protected for future generations.