BRADLEY BEACH — Despite the thick clouds above and the threat of rain, members of the community gathered by the seafront on Friday evening, June 27, for a celebration of the Julie Schreck Maritime Forest.
The maritime forest was first dedicated in 2021 after a nine-year restoration process concluded.
Mayor Al Gubotosi welcomed everyone to the Friday event, and said, “In just 12 years, we’ve basically taken this area from what was the parking lot to this beautiful, plush area.”
The forest can be found at the northernmost end of the boardwalk approaching Ocean Grove. Around the forest, signage is present that highlights the flora and fauna of the area. Prior to Friday, additional signs were added honoring Schreck and the history of the maritime forest. The new signs feature a photo of Schreck standing in front of the ocean holding her daughter Molly as a baby, and reads: “Described as a passionate environmentalist by those who knew her, Julie planted the seeds in what would become known as the ‘green gem’ of Bradley Beach—our maritime forest.”
Julie Schreck was a one-term mayor of Bradley Beach from 2008 to 2012, and died of cancer in 2014. One of her major projects as mayor was rebuilding a pocket of maritime forest over what was previously used as a parking lot for fishermen and beach supply storage.
Due to the efforts of Schreck, over 120 volunteers and the Bradley Beach Public Works Department, the tract between Fletcher Lake and the gazebo off Lake Terrace and Ocean Avenue now features a lush, green habitat and a reimagining of what the shoreline would have looked like pre-development.
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