Kayaks, rafts and paddle boards slip into the water at Ski Beach in Ventnor at the start of the 2018 Go Green Parade.
VENTNOR The city is applying for a Green Acres development grant to fund improvements at Ski Beach and will hold a public hearing this week to inform residents and obtain feedback on the plan.
According to grant writer Jim Rutala of Rutala Associates, LLC of Linwood, the city will ask Green Acres for $400,000 to cover the cost of improvements to the waterfront park. The site, which is located at Dorset Avenue bayside is already designated a Green Acres site. The availability of funding is limited and the grant is competitive, Rutala said.
Park improvements include a pavilion, extending the existing boat ramp so it can be used at low tide, building a floating dock next to the boat ramp, some LED lighting, parking lot paving, installing concrete pads to accommodate picnic tables and bike racks.
The bike racks would be in addition to several other bike racks that will be installed throughout the city in commercial areas and funded through a separate transportation grant awarded to Ventnor and Margate. The city is hopeful those bicycle racks will be installed this spring.
The picnic tables will be donated by the Ventnor Beautification Committee, which conducts the annual Chef's Night Out to raise money to beautify the city. The organization also hosts the annual Twilight Christmas Parade and the biennial Garden Tour.
A public hearing will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 to inform residents and get feedback on the plan.
The public hearing is a requirement of the grant application, which is due at the end of March, Rutala said. We want the residents to know we are looking to improve Ski Beach and that the city wants to make it more accessible for the public to access the water.
