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Resident urges review of turtle sand pit after visitors and traffic create neighborhood disruption; officials promise signage and repairs
Summary
A Wildwood Crest resident told the council the turtle-themed sand pit near Bayview Drive has attracted visitors who have transported turtles, created parking jams and disturbed nesting. Officials said they would review the feature after the hatching season, pursue signage and arrange light repairs and traffic controls before July 4.
Suzanne Brown, a resident of Bayview Drive, told the Borough of Wildwood Crest council that a turtle-shaped sand pit installed to educate the public has instead attracted visitors who are handling turtles and creating safety and wildlife concerns for nearby residents.
Brown said neighbors have seen a man repeatedly remove turtles from yards, transport them to the sand pit and post about the activity in local Facebook groups, which she said has turned the area into a "circus" for bystanders. She told the council she and a neighbor had contacted the Wetlands Institute and were told the arrangement may be re-endangering diamondback terrapin nesting; she said she found a hatchling injured over Memorial Day weekend and reported that police had responded.
"Don't touch them. Help them cross the street, but don't pick them up. Don't put them in your cars," Brown said, urging the council to provide oversight during the remainder of the hatching season and to review the sand pit's status after the season. Brown offered to help organize volunteers to educate visitors.
Another resident raised separate safety concerns about the Cressy Avenue beach entrance, saying trash trucks and other infrastructure traffic, combined with a steep bike ramp and a malfunctioning flashing light at Atlantic and Cressy, have led to near-miss incidents. The resident said the situation seemed to be getting worse each year and described a child narrowly avoiding being struck.
Mayor Cabrera and Chief Lloyd responded with immediate follow-up steps. Chief Lloyd said replacement parts for the flashing light had been ordered and that Wildwood would perform required replacements; he said the light "will definitely be operational before July 4th." Officials also said they have ordered pedestrian/bicycle warning signs for the beach entrance, are considering traffic-direction staffing during busy periods, and will review historical files on the turtle park to determine next steps for 2026.
Council members thanked residents for raising the issues and said staff would pursue short-term safety steps while reviewing the educational feature more fully after the hatching season.
