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Sea Isle City Today
By the People, for the People
Ocean City Boardwalk's North End Reopens After Reconstruction
The city has rebuilt the northern section of its 2.5-mile boardwalk, with new pine boards and tropical hardwood decking.
Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:20am
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The recently reopened northern section of Ocean City's iconic boardwalk, with its refurbished decking and substructure, promises to welcome visitors with a warm, inviting atmosphere.Sea Isle City TodayThe northern end of Ocean City, New Jersey's iconic 2.5-mile boardwalk has reopened to pedestrians and bicyclists after a reconstruction project funded largely through a state program. The project involved replacing the substructure and most of the decking, with new pine boards and a tropical hardwood called ipe used on the quieter, narrower sections at the northern and southern ends.
Why it matters
The boardwalk is a vital part of Ocean City's tourism economy, and the reconstruction project helps maintain and improve this popular attraction. The use of the tropical hardwood ipe sparked some environmental concerns, reigniting a debate over the sustainability of harvesting such materials.
The details
The reconstruction project replaced the substructure and most of the decking on the northern section of the boardwalk, using new pine boards. At the quieter, narrower northern and southern ends, the city opted to use a tropical hardwood called ipe, known for its durability in outdoor applications. This choice drew some opposition from environmental activists concerned about the impact of tropical hardwood extraction.
- The reconstruction project was completed in early 2026.
- In 2008, then-Mayor Sal Perillo proposed using tropical hardwood for a previous boardwalk project, sparking fresh opposition from activists.
The players
Ocean City
The coastal New Jersey city that owns and maintains the iconic 2.5-mile boardwalk.
Sal Perillo
The former mayor of Ocean City who proposed using tropical hardwood for a previous boardwalk project in 2008.
Doug Bergen
The spokesperson for the City of Ocean City.
What they’re saying
“The decking and substructure from the start of the boardwalk at St. James Place to Second Street were in good shape, and the reconstruction started where the ipe stops at Second Street.”
— Doug Bergen, Ocean City Spokesman
What’s next
The city is still working on a separate project to reinforce the boardwalk from 12th Street to 14th Street, but pedestrians and bikes will be able to pass through at all times, and access to all storefronts will remain open.
The takeaway
The reconstruction of Ocean City's iconic boardwalk highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing tourism, infrastructure maintenance, and environmental concerns. While the use of tropical hardwood sparked debate, the project overall aims to preserve and enhance this vital community asset.