Island Beach State Park Shut Down After Budget Impasse, Closure Does Not Apply To Christie

Don't even think about trying to enter Island Beach State Park until the state budget impasse has been resolved.

State park police will be patrolling the park grounds at all times while the park is closed, so even trying to enter through the Sedge Islands or areas in the southern end of the park will be futile.

Gov. Chris Christie's order late Friday night to shut down government operations included all state parks, forests, historic sites and recreation areas. Any public events in any of these areas have been canceled. Double Trouble State Park in Bayville is also closed.

The closure order will not apply to Gov. Christie or his family, according to a report on nj101.5.com.

Christie said Friday that his family and their guests would continue to spend the weekend on the island regardless of the shutdown

“The houses are the governor’s houses and they are not asking for any services," he said. "Where down at the public part of the beach there are all types of services provided like lifeguarding services … my family doesn’t ask for any services while we are there.”

Christie, his family and his guests have use of the gubernatorial beach house and guest house.

His response to people upset about his family’s decision to go ahead with their plans? “Run for governor and you can have a residence there,” he said...

If you notice any suspicious activity near a state park, state forest, historic site, or recreation area during this time please call 1-877-WARN-DEP (1-877-927-6337).

Please visit the New Jersey State Park & Forestry website http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/ for any updated information.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause over your holiday weekend," the Facebook post states.

What do you think? Is it fair for Christie, his family and guests to be able to use Island Beach when state parks are shut down? Tell us in the comments section below.

Image: Patricia A. Miller