gilford park yacht club toms river nj

“Unfortunately, this project is a little behind schedule,” said Township Engineer Robert Chankalian. “The contractor is not hitting his deadline, but most of the work has been completed.”

Converting a long unused township park — once a baseball diamond, now overgrown and with cracked asphalt — off Garfield Avenue into the boat ramp will allow boats up to 35-feet access to the creek that divides Toms River with Island Heights, said Chankalian.

Chankalian said the public boat ramp would accommodate powerboats and sailboats as well as kayaks and canoes, and would likely be unstaffed and not have any cost for a user to access it. The project cost about $1 million.

“Right now, you can see the docking, decking and elevated walkway is complete,” said Chankalian at a township council meeting this week. “The only thing left is paving the parking lot and [installing] the light poles.”

A new boat ramp, dock, decking and parking spaces for oversized vehicles (big enough for trucks and SUVs with boat trailers attached) have been installed.

A new boat ramp along the Toms River is nearly complete. (Photo: Robert Chankalian)

The construction of the ramp was opposed by some members of the yacht club, whose members pay to use their facilities. The project received approval, however, largely based on the fact that the yacht club’s opposition was economic in nature rather than an environmental concern.

Chankalian said the ramp should be open to the public within the next 30 days.

Additional reporting from Catherine Galioto was included in this story.

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Things to Consider When Trailer Boating

PRE-LAUNCH CHECKLIST The most critical part of trailer boating is the launch. There are five steps that need to be completed before launching the boat:

• Raise the lower motor or lower unit to avoid damage during launch;
• Release tie down lines except the bow winch;
• Secure fenders in place if they are necessary;
• Install the drain plug;
• Attach a line to the bow cleat or other location that can be used to secure the boat while parking.

ARRIVING AT THE RAMP Parking is limited at some ramps. Contact the operator of the ramp for parking and other pertinent information. Waiting in line or prior to backing down the boat ramp, is the perfect time to move everything from the tow vehicle that will go on board (i.e. coolers, clothing, equipment, etc.). If you wait until the boat is in the water it will increase the wait time for others behind you. Once the boat is in the water unhook it from the winch. While the person with you walks the boat to the dock, move the tow vehicle and trailer up the ramp and park in an appropriate area. This allows others behind you to access the ramp. If you notice someone is having difficulty at the ramp, offer some assistance. If it is your first time with a boat in tow, practice backing your boat and trailer between plastic cones or between a pair of parking spaces prior to arriving at the ramp. If you are joining a friend on his or her boat and arrive in your own car, park it away from the ramp in a standard parking area. The trailer parking spaces are only for tow vehicles and trailers. Have an established routine at the ramp. Knowing what needs to be done and how it should be done reduces time spent at the ramp. When you return to the boat ramp, drop off the person going to get the trailer to the ramp and wait for them out on the water. When the trailer has been backed into the water, then bring your boat into position for retrieval. After the boat is on the trailer, secure the safety chain to the bow eye and move up the ramp away from other ramp traffic. Secure the tie downs and place all equipment and coolers back into the tow vehicle.

Ten Checkpoints For Your Trailer

Tires : Make sure to inflate tires to the proper PSI and inspect for spider web cracks on the sidewall. If cracks are present, replace the tires. The tire tread depth should not be less than 2/32”. Otherwise the tires are considered worn. Keep a spare tire. During the off season take the tires off the trailer and place it on blocks.

Frame : Inspect for corrosion and rust by crawling under the trailer. If necessary, sand to remove corrosion.

Lights : Plug the trailer into the tow vehicle’s electrical system and turn the vehicle on. Turn the lights on and look for any bulbs or lenses that need to be replaced. Two persons are required to examine the trailer’s brake lights and reverse lights. While one person depresses the brakes, the other inspects inspect the lights on the trailer. To check the reverse lights, place the vehicle in reverse and have a second person look at the trailer lights to see if they are working properly. Make sure you have the correct replacement bulbs on hand.

Bunks/Rollers: Inspect the bunks for wear on the carpeting or on the rubber padding beneath the carpet. Each roller should be turned individually to determine whether it has become locked. Inspect the rollers for wear and make sure none have to be replaced. Poly rollers generally last longer than rubber rollers.

Safety Chains: Look for wear and inspect the S-hooks for possible bending. Replace S-hooks with screw-pin shackles that have a wire running through the pin’s eye. This connection is more reliable than the S-hooks.

Bearings : Inspect the grease in the hubs. If the trailer is wintered outdoors, replace the grease. If the grease seal needs to be replaced, replace it with a double lip seal. Look over the bottom of the boat inside the trailer tires for grease. If grease is present, the bearings need to be cleaned and replaced.

Brakes : If you are not sure what to do, take the trailer to a dealer and have an expert look them over. Inspect the fluid level in the master cylinder, and clear any debris around the cap before opening it, so that nothing contaminates the fluid. If it is low, you may have to bleed the system to remove air from the lines. Pull the wheel and inspect the disc/drum to determine if you need of new pads/shoes.

Tool Kit : Make sure your tool kit includes the proper wrenches, screwdrivers and a trailer jack that fits your trailer, as well as blocks that can provide support for your tow vehicle’s rear wheels.

Winch : Inspect the cable to see if there are any broken wires or worn areas. Clean and lubricate the winch. Finally, make sure you have a strong tie down for the bow and stern of the boat and that both are properly secured to the trailer.

Hitch : Apply grease to the ball and inspect the hitch locking mechanism.

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Crime & Safety

Does gilford park have a bad reputation, police, council, residents weigh in, noreen kohl , neighbor.

To some, Gilford Park’s reputation is that of a nice part of town, on the water with its own yacht club and marina. For others, Gilford Park remains stigmatized as an unsafe neighborhood. Toms River Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy said recent criticism and banter online was sparked by misinformation of a that happened on Gilford Avenue several weeks ago, located in a section of Toms River known as Windsor Park. Gilford Park is the section of Toms River located south of Route 37, between the borough of Island Heights and bridge to Seaside Heights, according to Toms River’s planning department. Mastronardy said that incidents of crime occur in Gilford Park, as is true for any other part of town. However, Mastronardy said it is not “in the interest of fairness” to associate Gilford Park with crime. Mastronardy said that most of the problems that police have in Gilford Park are with rental units. “There’s certain houses and certain streets...its like anything else,” Mastronardy said. Recent criticism suggests that Gilford Park is looked down upon by Toms River residents who associate lower income areas with crime and unruliness. Township Clerk and Toms River Historian Mark Mutter said he cannot comment on the negative commentary. “Its an outstanding part of town--as are all parts of town,” said Mutter speaking on Gilford Park. When asked if Gilford Park’s negative reputation is one with which he is familiar, Toms River town planner Jay Lynch said Gilford Park “certainly doesn’t carry that reputation” in his office. The negative reputation, Lynch said, “doesn’t really reflect the character of the district.” “It’s not an area, in my mind, that has a positive or negative reputation,” said Lynch. Toms River Councilman at Large, John Sevastakis said that Gilford Park’s reputation of being unsafe has sparked the recent commentary. Sevastakis, who has been building homes in Gilford Park since 1995, said the fact that the recent shooting did not actually occur in Gilford park, but that it has sparked controversy about the area, speaks to public opinion about Gilford Park. “People speaking of it don’t live there,” said Sevastakis, who advocates for Gilford Park. “I think the consensus is the area is getting a bad rap,” said Sevastakis. When asked if he thought the recent shooting makes the Gilford Avenue area a particularly dangerous part of town, Sevastakis said, “these things can happen anywhere.” Sevastakis is proud of the work he has done in Gilford Park and of how the neighborhood has improved over the years. “I feel the area is changing for the better,” he said. Many of the older, dilapidated homes have been demolished and replaced by new construction. A drive through Gilford Park reveals some new construction as well as older, quaint bungalow style homes, many of which have served as the summer home for families two to three generations back.   Sevastakis remarked on the marina and yacht club which he said help to make Gilford Park a nice place to live. “It's just unfortunate that there are some areas that are not desirable,” he said. Sevastakis believes the negative feelings about Gilford Park are harboured by owners of newer homes who are concerned for their safety and wellbeing. As far as crime goes, Sevastakis said Gilford Park is “generally safe.” Sevastakis would like to see stronger code enforcement on some of the neglected lots throughout Gilford Park. “People negatively perceive homes that aren’t kept,” said Sevastakis. “Police should get repeat offenders,” said Sevastakis in reference to residents and landlords who fail to keep homes up to code, by lacking in minor areas such as yard upkeep. Sevastakis also faults “no show landlords” who fail to properly screen renters. The lots average about 40 by 100 feet, according to the planning board. “As a result, the housing stock is small,” said Lynch. A section of Toms River that started off as seasonal housing, Gilford Park is becoming more of a year round residential neighborhood. “Most of the area is very much all single homes,” said Lynch. Any lots that may have two single family homes on them were built before the 1950’s. Lynch said that current zoning regulation does not permit more than one home to be built per lot. The lots average about 40 by 100 feet, said Lynch. Gilford Park, to some, has a negative reputation. Others, like Sevastakis, continue to advocate for the area and insist it is an ever improving neighborhood. “I would live there in a heartbeat,” said Sevastakis.

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804 Parkside Avenue,  Toms River, NJ 08753

Single Family

Anita Diflumeri

RE/MAX Revolution

Last updated:

August 26, 2024, 02:22 PM

About This Home

**This is a coming soon listing and cannot be shown until 8/30/24** Welcome to this inviting ranch home boasting a cozy enclosed front porch, three bedrooms and a full basement. The home's open floor plan offers a seamless flow, while abundant storage options and a fenced in yard enhance its functionality. The outdoor space includes a shed, a concrete patio, and an electric sunset awning, ideal for relaxing outside. Perfectly located in a beautiful waterfront community and just a short distance from the Gilford Park Yacht Club, playground and the scenic Toms River, and a quick drive to the beautiful Jersey Shore, this home offers exceptional value! Schedule your showing today!

Built in 1946

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