Ocean City Live Cam

Ocean City, New Jersey has a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Here are some interesting historical facts about Ocean City:

• Ocean City was founded in 1879 by a group of Methodist ministers as a "Christian seaside resort" with the goal of creating a place where families could vacation without the temptation of alcohol or other vices.
• The town's founding principles of temperance and Christian values continue to shape its culture today, and Ocean City remains a "dry" town where the sale and consumption of alcohol is prohibited.
• The Ocean City Boardwalk, which is a centerpiece of the resort, was first built in 1902 and has been expanded and renovated several times since then. It now stretches 2.5 miles along the beach and features amusement rides, shops, and restaurants.
• During World War II, Ocean City played an important role in the war effort as the site of the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard, which produced Liberty Ships for the U.S. Navy.
• Ocean City's Music Pier, a historic building on the boardwalk, has hosted concerts, plays, and other events since it was built in 1928.
• In 1964, Hurricane Dora caused significant damage to the boardwalk and other parts of Ocean City. The storm prompted the town to launch a major redevelopment effort that included the construction of a new convention center and other facilities.
• Ocean City has a strong tradition of beach patrol, with the first official lifeguard service established in 1898. Today, the Ocean City Beach Patrol is one of the largest and most highly trained in the country.
• The town's commitment to preserving its history and culture is reflected in the Ocean City Historical Museum, which features exhibits on the town's founding, its role in World War II, and other important events in its history.
• Ocean City's commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation is reflected in its designation as a "Green Community" by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
• Despite its long history and tradition, Ocean City has continued to evolve and adapt to changing times, remaining a popular destination for families and vacationers from all over the world.

Culture

Ocean City, New Jersey has a unique culture that is shaped by its history, geography, and values. Here are some key aspects of the culture in Ocean City:

• Family-oriented: Ocean City is known for being a family-friendly destination, with a variety of activities and attractions that cater to all ages. The town's founding principles of temperance and Christian values also reflect its commitment to family-friendly entertainment and recreation.
• Beach culture: With over 8 miles of pristine beaches, Ocean City has a strong beach culture that is centered around swimming, sunbathing, and other water-based activities. The town's lifeguard service is one of the largest and most highly trained in the country, reflecting the importance of beach safety in Ocean City.
• Boardwalk culture: The Ocean City Boardwalk is a central part of the town's culture, with a variety of amusement parks, shops, and restaurants that cater to tourists and locals alike. The boardwalk is a hub of activity during the summer months, with live music, street performers, and other entertainment.
• Religious culture: Ocean City's founding by Methodist ministers and its commitment to Christian values have helped to shape the town's religious culture. The Ocean City Tabernacle, a non-denominational worship center, hosts a variety of events and programs throughout the year.
• Environmental consciousness: Ocean City has a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental conservation, reflecting its status as a Green Community. The town's efforts to promote recycling, reduce waste, and protect its natural resources are a key part of its culture.
• Arts and culture: Ocean City has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a variety of galleries, museums, and performance venues that showcase the work of local artists and performers. The Ocean City Fine Arts League, the Ocean City Historical Museum, and the Music Pier are all important parts of the town's cultural landscape.

Overall, Ocean City's culture is shaped by its commitment to family-friendly entertainment, beach and boardwalk culture, religious values, environmental consciousness, and the arts. These elements combine to create a unique and vibrant community that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Geography

Ocean City is a city located in Cape May County, in the southern part of the state of New Jersey. It is situated on a barrier island that runs along the Atlantic Ocean and is connected to the mainland by a series of bridges.

Here are some key features of the geography of Ocean City:

• Barrier island: Ocean City is situated on a barrier island that is approximately 7 miles long and half a mile wide. The island is separated from the mainland by the Great Egg Harbor Bay and is bordered on the east by the Atlantic Ocean.
• Beaches: Ocean City is known for its beautiful, wide beaches that attract millions of visitors each year. The town has over 8 miles of beachfront, with soft sand and clean water that is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and other water-based activities.
• Bay: The Great Egg Harbor Bay, which separates Ocean City from the mainland, is an important natural feature that provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and other recreational activities.
• Wetlands: The wetlands surrounding Ocean City are an important part of the local ecosystem and provide habitat for a variety of plants and animals. They are also important for water filtration and flood control.
• Bridges: There are several bridges that connect Ocean City to the mainland, including the 9th Street Bridge, the 34th Street Bridge, and the Route 52 Causeway. These bridges are important for transportation and commerce, and provide stunning views of the bay and ocean.
• Climate: Ocean City has a humid subtropical climate, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The town is also vulnerable to hurricanes and other coastal storms, which can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure.

Overall, the geography of Ocean City is defined by its location on a barrier island, its beautiful beaches, the Great Egg Harbor Bay, the wetlands, the bridges that connect it to the mainland, and its subtropical climate. These features combine to create a unique and beautiful environment that attracts visitors from all over the world.

Exploring Municipal Wireless

Island life is about not being tied down, especially in a resort community like Ocean City. So, to truly set us free, the City of Ocean City is exploring the possibility of going wireless.

Having a municipal wireless network with coverage for the entire island would benefit everyone: residents, businesses, visitors, City employees, and the schools. The network would be a service provided by the City, not a communication company. It makes sense for a municipality to provide a universal internet connection because it is a utility type service like water, trash and recycling collection, road maintenance, and emergency services, with the same service for everyone.

Municipal wireless bridges the digital divide, enhances communication and education opportunities, enables people to manage finances and make purchases online, and even opens up home health care to the possibility of distance monitoring. In addition to all of the great services that going wireless provides, it actually makes economic sense for the City of Ocean City.

A Business Plan should be completed in April 2007 and a solicitation for vendors is expected to be released during the summer of 2007. The feasibility study is being sponsored by the Ocean City Library. This schedule puts Ocean City on track to have wireless coverage by early 2008.

Wireless will differentiate Ocean City from other resorts. Hotels and motels will be able to market this service. Likewise, the City parks, beaches and boardwalk will offer wireless services. Wireless is one of many steps that Ocean City is taking to enhance the economic viability of this resort community.

Residential Zoning

A major shift in the way the City views residential zoning resulted from the Master Plan review in 2000. Prior to that time, the residential zoning plan was based primarily on lot sizes and land use. However, in response to public concerns regarding the compatibility of new buildings, zoning has become more cognizant of the existing streetscape and building design. As a result of this context-sensitive approach to zoning, several residential areas have been rezoned into discrete neighborhood zones. Examples of these Neighborhood zones include the Gardens, Merion Park, Neel, Ocean City Homes, the Riviera and Stenton Place. Zoning controls in these Neighborhood zones regulating building size are unique to the individual areas and are intended to improve the compatibility of new buildings.

Although these measures have been effective in improving the compatibility of new development in identified neighborhoods, there are other areas where this level of analysis is needed. The diversity in the way the City has developed and continued interest in redevelopment continue to present challenges to City planners. As part of the City’s continuing planning program, the Planning Board is currently preparing recommendations for revisions to the residential zoning regulations. These recommendations will simplify terms and definitions, provide consistent building standards in all zones, reduce building mass, enhance landscaping, and generally improve the compatibility of infill development. A revised zone plan for the North End Neighborhood Zone is also anticipated.

Prior to adoption, the City will convene informational meetings to inform the community and obtain public input in regard to these proposed zoning changes.