Avalon To Build Living Shoreline at Bay Park Marina

Those who live by Avalon’s Bay near 53rd-57th Street will be happy to hear that a major project is headed their way which will create a beautiful space to enjoy the Sunsets.

Avalon’s Bay Park Marina is set to become a model for coastal resilience and ecological sustainability, thanks to a $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).

The funding will support the creation of a living shoreline, a nature-based solution designed to protect the community from flooding and enhance the local environment.

The announcement came via Avalon’s city website.

“This living shoreline project demonstrates Avalon’s commitment to protecting both our community and environmental assets,” said Avalon Mayor John McCorristin. “Coastal communities are obligated to explore structural and natural components to resiliency efforts.”

The announcement comes as part of NFWF’s broader $139 million initiative to bolster coastal resilience across 31 states.

Avalon is one of only four New Jersey communities to receive funding, with the grant requiring matching funds from the borough.

Transforming Bay Park Marina

Those who have visited Avalon’s Bay Park Marina knows that it has seen some better days, though it still offers some great beautiful views.

This park will see a major overhaul that includes:

A new boat ramp and dockmaster building
A handicapped-accessible kayak launch
Updated bulkhead, sidewalks, and parking areas
New piers

“These enhancements are not just about improving public access to the waterway but also about integrating resilience into the very fabric of our community,” McCorristin added.

The $1 million grant will fund the construction of 750 feet of vegetated shoreline, featuring native and pollinator species to stabilize the area and reduce “sunny day” flooding.

The project also includes a flood-resistant curb and a protective barrier for nesting terrapin turtles.

“We are grateful for the financial support for this living shoreline and excited to get the project moving in the coming months,” said McCorristin.

The living shoreline will complement other eco-friendly projects in Avalon, such as the pollinator habitat at Armacost Park, protective turtle barriers along Avalon Boulevard, and a native planting pilot project on Dune Drive.

Avalon’s innovative approach to coastal resilience isn’t just for local benefit—it’s designed to serve as a regional model for other communities.

The project demonstrates how nature-based solutions can balance environmental protection with community needs, potentially inspiring similar initiatives throughout the Jersey Shore and beyond.

“This effort reinforces Avalon’s leadership in ecological sustainability and resiliency,” McCorristin emphasized. “By protecting our coastline, we’re safeguarding the future for both our residents and the natural environment.”

The $1 million grant was awarded through the National Coastal Resilience Fund, which supports 94 projects nationwide. Key funding partners include Shell USA and Occidental, alongside the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Avalon Closes Beaches, Boardwalk Nightly Due To Crowds

Construction on the living shoreline is expected to ramp up in the coming months. As the project progresses, it will be closely watched by other coastal communities looking to adopt similar approaches.

Stay tuned for updates on this transformative project as Avalon continues to lead the way in coastal resilience and environmental stewardship.

If this is a project you would like to see video updates on this project be sure to let us know.

Just this past week we visited Cape May’s (Lower Township) Higbee Beach where the NJDEP has been working on restoring the wetlands.

To learn more about that project check out the video below (and please subscribe)