Decorative light poles similar to those along the midsection of the Promenade now will be installed at the south and north ends of the walkway in 2026.
Sea Isle City has a bright idea for making the oceanfront Promenade a more inviting place.
Add more lights.
City Council approved a nearly $1.3 million contract Tuesday for decorative lighting in the north end of the Promenade from 29th to 35th streets and the south end between 44th and 57th streets.
The Promenade stretches for 1½ miles from 29th Street to 57th Street. The family-friendly walkway effectively serves as Sea Isle’s boardwalk – a hub for sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, recreation and special events.
“People like to walk on the Promenade and enjoy the ocean views. Anything that we can do to enhance the beauty is good for all of us,” Mayor Leonard Desiderio said of the decorative lights.
In 2020, Sea Isle added decorative lighting to the midsection of the Promenade, from 35th to 44th streets, to begin making it more attractive to pedestrians and bicyclists.
The new lighting that will be installed from 29th to 35th streets and 44th to 57th streets will complete the project, Desiderio said.
The schedule for installing the lights will be announced after the city meets with the contractor, S. Hughes Electric Co. of Pleasantville. Desiderio emphasized that he wants the lights completed in 2026.
The decorative lights are dramatically different than the stark streetlight-style fixtures that had loomed over the Promenade since its construction in the 1960s.
The new lights installed in 2020 feature sleek black poles and a hooded top piece somewhat reminiscent of Victorian-era lamps. Desiderio said the new lights will be similar to those installed in 2020.
The new lighting is actually just one part of an extensive makeover of the Promenade. Construction is underway on a series of improvements to the structure, bulkheads and handicap-accessible ramps.
The steps at 47th Street will be replaced with a new easily accessible ramp leading to the Promenade.A new handicap-accessible ramp at 47th Street will be added. The ramp at 47th Street will be similar to the handicap-accessible ramps constructed at 51st and 53rd streets last year to provide easier access to the Promenade and the beach.
The ramps at 51st and 53rd streets replaced steep steps that were challenging to climb for seniors, people with disabilities and families with young children. Steep steps also greet people heading to the Promenade and beach at 47th Street.
In the future, the city plans to add more ramps leading to the Promenade over time – as many as possible, Sea Isle spokeswoman Katherine Custer said.
“Giving everyone access to our Promenade and beaches is a high priority for Sea Isle City. We strive to be a welcoming community, with the goal that all people can enjoy each of our facilities – especially our number one attraction, our coastline.” Custer said.
The city chose 47th Street as the next location for a ramp because that section of the Promenade is the longest stretch of the walkway that currently does not have a ramp.
There is a ramp at 44th Street but no others until 51st Street, so it is logical to add the newest ADA-compliant ramp at 47th Street, Custer noted.
“In addition to being extremely important for people with physical challenges, ramps are also very helpful for bicyclists and families pushing baby carriages and beach carts. Briefly stated, everyone can benefit from ramps,” she said.
The current round of improvements to the Promenade will largely be funded by a nearly $2 million grant from the state’s Boardwalk Preservation Fund.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced in 2024 that Sea Isle was one of 18 towns at the Jersey Shore to share in a pool of $100 million from the Boardwalk Preservation Fund. The fund helps to repair and maintain boardwalks and promenades along the coast.
An extensive refurbishing of the Promenade is underway from 29th Street to 57th Street. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City)
