Mayor
June 19, 2026
Dear Friends,
The weekend forecast looks great. Schools are out for the year, and the first day of summer is Sunday.
We have a lot of fun to look forward to, as we do every summer. But it also means that there will be a lot of people sharing the beaches, boardwalk, bay, downtown and roadways.
Please slow down, be courteous and remember to follow all the laws that keep everybody safe.
I especially want to remind motorists and pedestrians to respect crosswalk laws. Drivers should stop for pedestrians in crosswalks, and pedestrians should stop and make eye contact with drivers before crossing into a roadway. I also want to urge bicycle and e-bike riders to follow the rules of the road – including stopping at every stop sign and red traffic signal.
Reminders of the traffic safety laws are here: ocnj.us/trafficsafety.
Our daily jitney routes start tonight and will provide transportation to the Boardwalk zone every day from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. through Sept. 7. More information on the service is available at ocnj.us/jitney.
If you are driving to the downtown beaches or Boardwalk and are looking for parking, we have a new system to direct you to available parking spots in municipal lots. Using sensors mounted in the lots, the Ocean City Parking Spot Finder app delivers directions to your smartphone and available space counts to roadside displays. Anybody can download the free app on iOS and Android (or search for “Ocean City Parking Spot Finder” in your app store). Parking in the municipal lot at Fifth Street is discounted, and parking in the lots at Eighth Street allow short-term and overnight parking through our ParkMobile app. Remember, in Ocean City, there’s always a spot.
The ocean temperatures are still cool, and that will make the beaches a great place to escape this weekend’s heat. Check ocnj.us/ocbp_guarded_beaches to see which beaches are guarded. The OCBP currently has 30 beaches guarded and expects to be fully staffed by next weekend.
Our twice-weekly trash and recycling schedule is now in place. I also want to remind you again that loose trash bags will not be picked up and that recycling can never be placed in plastic bags. As always, you can call 609-399-6111, ext. 9710 to report any issues with your regularly scheduled trash and recycling pickup.
The lineup for our Boardwalk Summer Concert Series is complete and tickets are available here. We have another spectacular Ocean City Pops season lined up and tickets are available here.
The Army Corps of Engineers held another pre-construction meeting for our north-end beach replenishment project yesterday, and contractor now estimates that sand-pumping operations will begin in mid-July. Mobilization and placement of equipment will take place in the weeks prior to the start of pumping, but no work will take place during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. More information and updates will always be available at ocnj.us/beachupdate.
Ocean City High School held its graduation ceremony on Thursday, and I want to congratulate the Class of 2026. Not only have they achieved so much in academics, athletics and the arts, but they have given back so much to our community as volunteers. Our future is in good hands.
Our Recreation Division’s Jackie Adams is one of the coaches traveling with 74 athletes to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Anthony Conner (track and field) and Daniel Hendrixson (swimming) are among the local competitors for the event. Sgt. Mike Hall of our Community Policing Unit was among the many officers from throughout the state who participated in a motorcade escort for the New Jersey team to the airport. I want to wish the team good luck and thank all the volunteers like Jackie who contribute to this important program.
The Ocean City Yacht Club and the Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club will host the 32nd annual Fishing For Kids event tomorrow. Fishing for Kids celebrates inclusion, compassion and community for children with disabilities and their families. I want to thank all the captains, crews and volunteers — including the Ocean City Fire Department, Ocean City Police Department and U.S. Coast Guard — who share their time and boats to make this event happen each year.
Michele and I would like to extend deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bill Parker, who passed away last week at age 88. Bill had a career in education, but most of us in Ocean City knew him from his summer job running the Parker’s Canteen trucks and his involvement in many community organizations, and I graduated with his son Billy. He was part of a bygone era for Ocean City.
I just learned that Bill Woods passed away yesterday. When you write the definition of public servant, Bill’s name comes to mind first. Bill served as City Council president. He was a deputy tax assessor, a Parking Authority commissioner and twice the commissioner of the Ocean City Housing Authority. He’s a past president of the Ocean City Exchange Club, the Ocean City Board of Realtors, and the Friends of the Ocean City Pops. He’s a veteran officer of the U.S. Army, and he’s the father of our Human Resources Director Liz Woods. I want to offer sympathies to Liz, her family and all of Bill’s friends and former colleagues. I will keep everyone updated as funeral and visitation arrangements are made.
Check out this week’s edition of “Inside City Hall” below. This week, we look at a tradition for rookie firefighters, the retirement of Firefighter Winston Roberts after an exemplary career of more than 41 years, the OCHS graduation, some beach tag reminders, and more.
Finally, I want to wish all the dads in town a very Happy Father’s Day. I hope you get to enjoy it with family and friends.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
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Welcome to The City of Ocean City, New Jersey!
Ocean City is a town rich in history and a deep sense of community. Families have been vacationing in Ocean City for generations and many have made Ocean City their year-round home.
Our residents enjoy award-winning schools, world-class recreation facilities and outstanding municipal services from all city departments, including Police, Fire and Rescue, and Beach Patrol. Residents participate in activities for every age and interest including the cultural arts, music and theater as well as sports and recreation programs available at our many parks, playgrounds and city facilities. One of our local treasures is the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue, where families and individuals can enjoy the Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City Arts Center, Ocean City Historical Museum, Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center, and the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center under one roof.
The city also maintains and operates a municipal airport, 12-hole golf course, Aquatic and Fitness Center as well as the famed Ocean City Pops Orchestra.
Ocean City is also host to more than 200 family-friendly special events held year-round. Many of our events are popular family traditions, including the Night in Venice Boat Parade in July, the Baby Parade in August, our mile-long block parties in May and October, and our family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration.
If you are vacationing in Ocean City, I know you’ll enjoy our seven miles of beautiful beaches and exciting Boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and amusements. And be sure to visit our unique and charming downtown shops and restaurants located in the heart of town on Asbury Avenue.
I am truly proud to serve as mayor for this great community and hope you and your family enjoy your time in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
Jay Gillian, Mayor
Phone: 609-525-9333
Email: mayor@ocnj.us
