By Steffen Klenk
Trying to beat the summer heat? You’re not alone! Our area recently experienced one of the hottest heat waves in decades, with temperatures into the 90s at the shore, and the mainland hitting 100 degrees with a heat index over 110. With so many people trying to find relief from the heat and humidity, here are a few suggestions to help you and your family stay cool.
Lake Lenape Park in Mays Landing provides the perfect escape from the crowds of the shore. The park stretches over 2,000 acres and offers a variety of activities such as boating, camping, kayaking or canoeing, fishing, playgrounds and picnic tables. Also situated along the park is its very own beach spot, The Cove, which has a nominal entrance fee. Lake Lenape Park is open daily from 7:30am until a half hour after sunset.
Spending the day at a waterpark offers instant relief and fun. OC Waterpark, located conveniently off the Ocean City Boardwalk at Plymouth Place, offers various activities for both children and adults with waterslides, a play area for kids and the lazy river. OC Waterpark is open 9:30am-6pm daily through Labor Day weekend and offers rates for day-long and abbreviated sessions. All-day passes start at $36 with discounted rates for abbreviated sessions. Passes can be purchased on location or online at ocwaterpark.com.
Did you know that the pipe organ inside the main auditorium of Boardwalk Hall is the largest organ in the world?! It holds the Guinness World Record for Largest Pipe Organ and Musical Instrument Ever Constructed. It is also the loudest. There are believed to be over 33,000 pipes. Recitals and tours are presented Monday-Friday from 12:30-1pm through September. In addition, their weekly “Curator’s Tour” on Wednesdays at 10am, allow guests an in-depth look at the mechanism of instrument. All tours are free; donations are kindly accepted with all proceeds going toward the restoration of the pipe organ. More details can be found at boardwalkorgans.org.
Some of my favorite water activities can be found at Totally Tubular. Located at 314 Bay Avenue along Ocean City’s Bayside, this is one of the area’s newest waterfront attractions with tubing, waterskiing and wakeboarding charters. Their inflatable Aqua Park is a splash for kids and allows your child to stay cool and active. For families like Lauren Hansen of North Carolina and her daughter Sloane, the bayside attraction “is a really a great idea. I’d recommend it.” The Aqua Park is recommended for ages 5-22. Visit their website at https://www.totallytubularwatersports.com/aquapark for up-to-date hours.
Our local shore towns all have their own community center, each offering their own unique schedule of events and activities. The Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Ave. is open year round with an indoor pool and fitness center, library, historical museum and art center. More information is available at ocnj.us.
Please remember to keep cool. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and keep an eye on our elderly population. Here’s an idea that will ensure your drinks stay cooler: put water bottles in the freezer overnight. Carry a cooler with a plastic insert, or reuse plastic bags for extra insulation to keep drinks cooler longer, and keep coolers in the shade or under an umbrella.
Steffen Klenk is a multimedia journalist. He resides in Ocean City and enjoys capturing the eclectic moments of shore life.
