New Jersey’s picturesque Island Beach State Park was closed over on Sunday due to a budget standoff, except for Governor Chris Christie, his family and friends.

The governor, a Republican, shut down the state government at midnight on Saturday in a health insurance battle with the Democrat-led legislature.

While others were reportedly turned away by police, New Jersey Advance Media took a picture of Christie with his wife Mary Pat and others on the otherwise deserted beach.

Christie later travelled by helicopter from the beach in Berkeley to the state capital Trenton to hold a news conference about the shutdown. Asked if he got any sun, Christie replied “I didn’t get any sun today.”

When later told of the photo showing him relaxing on the beach, Christie’s spokesman Brian Murray said: “Yes, the governor was on the beach briefly today talking to his wife and family before heading into the office.”

But that did not mean Christie got any sun. “He had a baseball hat on,” Murray said.

The governor is moving back and forth from Trenton to the summer beach house provided by the state in Berkeley to deal with the shutdown in the capital and also spend time with his family by the shore over the independence day holiday.

Christie said the beach house is “where my family is sleeping, so that’s where I’ll sleep tonight. When I have a choice between sleeping with my family, and sleeping alone, I generally like to sleep where my family is.”

On Saturday he said the beach house is separate from Island Beach State Park and his family will not be using any state services.

Asked if this is fair, Christie said: “Run for governor, and you can have a residence there.”</s>The New Jersey state government shut down on Friday at midnight. Governors in New Jersey and Maine shut down state government after lawmakers remained locked in a standoff and failed to reach budget deals before Friday’s midnight deadline. In Maine, Gov. Paul LePage put a partial shutdown in place until Monday afternoon. In New Jersey, non-essential services will be shut down until lawmakers break the impasse and Chris Christie signs a budget.

However, the governor said he and his family plan to spend the long Independence Day holiday weekend at the governor’s summer house at Island Beach State Park.

Christie doesn’t live there, but the beach house is one of the perks of being the state’s chief executive. Christie also has use of Drumthwacket, the official gubernatorial mansion in Princeton, according to NJ.

A reporter asked Saturday if Chris Christie thought it fair that his family would be free to enjoy a state park that would be closed to the public as a result of the shutdown. The New Jersey governor stressed that the beach house is separate from the park and that his family does not ask for any state services.

For others, the most immediate effect of the shutdown has hit those headed to state-run parks and beaches for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to the New York Times. State Liberty State Park overlooks New York City and is scheduled to host more than 100,000 people for its Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display that was set for Tuesday.

Christie demanded that the $34.7 billion budget, negotiated by the Legislature, include a provision that requires Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield spend some of its reserve funds on public health initiatives, in particular, his drug treatment initiative, according to the New York Times. Without this provision included, Christie said he would veto any budget lawmakers send him.

On Saturday morning, new vehicles some packed with beach chairs, beach balls, fishing rods and anticipation approached the entrance to the beach at Liberty State Park only to be met by two police cars and a barricade.

Eric Cowling, 28, traveled with his girlfriend to New Jersey from Philadelphia to fish, lounge, and possibly camp in their truck on the beach said, “It’s ridiculous.”

Chris Christie has since declared a state of emergency and called for a special session of the Legislature. Christie commented about the government shutdown in a statement, “This was completely avoidable.” The 2017 N.J. government shutdown is the first here since 2006.

However, on Twitter, Chris Christie said he was ready to sign a budget before the deadline.

According to the website, NJ.com, New Jersey state law requires a budget to be in place every June 30. If not, the governor will shut down the state.

Chris Christie ordered a special session of the Legislature in Trenton this Saturday, but Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto has vowed to block the governor from entering the chambers. Christie engaged on Twitter. Prieto retorted with a Watergate reference.

What Will Be Closed During The New Jersey Government Shutdown?

State Parks And Beaches

 All state-run parks, recreational areas, historic sites, forests, camping areas, and beaches are closed. This would also include the two state beaches; Cheesequake and Island Beach, in addition to Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

Statue Cruises, which runs ferry trips to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty from Liberty State Park, said it would honor tickets at its Manhattan location or exchange them for later dates.

More than 25,000 expected visitors would be impacted by a four-day shutdown. It would also cost at least $850,000 in lost revenue to the company and related entities, a Statue Cruises executive said in a statement.

State Offices

 Thousands of state workers are expected to be furloughed, except staff that is deemed essential, like State Police troopers and state correctional and hospital employees. Many wondered if they will be paid for the time they missed? During the 2006 New Jersey government shutdown, about 45,000 state workers were furloughed. They later received back pay. However, during a news conference on Friday, Christie said “don’t count on it” this time.

Motor Vehicle Commission Stations

 All Motor Vehicle Commission agencies and inspection stations will be closed starting Saturday. That means you won’t be able to get a driver’s license or renew your registration.

One resident of New Jersey said the registration on his car has expired and he drove to the DMV in Rahway, NJ to find out the New Jersey government had been shut down.

State Courts

 Most state courts will be closed on Monday during the business week, except for emergency cases. Municipal courts remain open. State courts will remain closed throughout the week unless a deal is struck over the weekend.

Pension and Taxation Offices

 Taxation call centers and walk-in departments will also close beginning on Monday. State Division of Pensions and Benefits for public workers. The department will continue payment of health provider claims and life claims, as well as processing changes to family status for health benefits.

Birth And Married Certificates

 Offices like the state Department of Health, where you obtain copies of birth and marriage certificates, will be closed starting on Monday.

Travel Centers

 Travel and tourism welcome centers are closed.

What Stays Open During The 2017 New Jersey Government Shutdown?

State Police and National Guard

 The New Jersey State Police will continue to patrol. The National Guard will also remain on call. Veteran’s Haven North and South — transitional housing for military vets — will stay open, as well.

New Jersey Transit

 Public transportation in New Jersey will operate as usual.

Prisons

 State prisons and halfway houses will not close, however, some inmate services may be interrupted.

New Jersey Public Schools

 Public schools and colleges will also remain open, including Katzenbach School for the Deaf. It is important to note that the state Department of Education’s help desks, customer service, and other services will be unavailable.

In addition to this, the budget shutdown does not affect services at the NJ Lottery or in New Jersey casinos, and racetracks.

More recently, Chris Christie posted photos of himself and his team waiting for Vincent Prieto with the hashtag #PrietoShutDown.

Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, who is a Democrat, has refused to put the legislation demanded by Chris Christie up for a vote. He called it an unfair intervention in the not-for-profit company that shouldn’t be part of the budget process.

The New Jersey closings arrived during the July 4 holiday weekend. If the stalemate lasts through Tuesday, it will also include Independence Day.</s>© Kevin R. Wexler/The Record via AP New Jersey Governor Chris Christie at a press conference on Sunday.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was photographed lounging at a deserted state-owned beach on Sunday — a beach that has been closed to all other New Jerseyans amid a government shutdown that Christie ordered Friday.

The photos, which were posted to NJ Advance Media’s NJ.com, showed Christie and his family hanging out at the Island Beach State Park on Sunday afternoon before Christie appeared in Trenton for a press conference on the shutdown.

Christie on Friday ordered the shutdown of nonessential services — including state parks — amid a stalemate over whether to include legislation affecting the state’s largest health insurer in the budget. (Christie’s administration placed the photo of Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto — whom it’s blaming for the shutdown — on signs announcing the parks are closed.)

The shutdown took effect Saturday, shuttering parks and other public sites and disrupting ferry service to Liberty and Ellis islands.

Also closed was Island Beach State Park, where the state owns a residence that the governor can use.

Christie said earlier this week that he and his family were planning to be there for the Fourth of July holiday. (He had amended that Friday to say he would stay in Trenton this weekend if government remained shut down, but that his family would still go.)

Asked Saturday if it was fair for his family to be able to use the park while others couldn’t, Christie was defiant.

‘‘The governor has a residence at Island Beach,’’ he said. ‘‘Others don’t. That’s the way it goes. Run for governor and you can have the residence.’’

During a press conference in Trenton later Sunday, Christie was reportedly asked if he got any sun that day. The governor replied that he hadn’t.

As the photos came to light, a Christie spokesman stood by Christie’s statement, saying, “He did not get any sun. He had a baseball hat on,” according to NJ.com.

In what appears to be an unfortunate choice of words on Christie’s part, the governor also posted a video tweet Sunday evening about the budget impasse accompanied by the phrase, “I’m not the person who has drawn a line [in] the sand here.”

I’m not the person who has drawn a line the sand here. https://t.co/dJmapywYjm — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) July 2, 2017

The photos — and Christie’s statement about the governor’s residence — had some people pretty upset with him.

Chris Christie & guests enjoying NJ beach — after he ordered state beaches closed to the public over a budget fight https://t.co/aD3pkhT4vFpic.twitter.com/JkAh31BG08 — Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 2, 2017

I think this may be empirical proof that Chris Christie actually wants his approval ratings to go into the single digits. https://t.co/JpSh45UwWr — David Sirota (@davidsirota) July 2, 2017

Just look at us! Right and left. Conservative and liberal. All coming together to bash Chris Christie. We are truly one America — Marie Connor (@thistallawkgirl) July 2, 2017

The image of a grotesque Chris Christie sunning himself on an empty state beach he closed is an evocative metaphor for our era of politics pic.twitter.com/TCZbXn17nx — Dan "TBONE" O'Sulliv (@Bro_Pair) July 2, 2017</s>New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) would like you to know that he definitely did not get a tan this weekend.

Yes, Christie told reporters at a Sunday news conference in Trenton, his family was staying in the state-owned beach house at Island Beach State Park over the July 4 weekend — even though the park was closed to the public amid a statewide government shutdown.

He had been unapologetic about that gubernatorial perk the day before: “That’s the way it goes,” Christie said Saturday. “Run for governor, and you can have the residence.”

And, yes, he had joined his family at said state-owned beach house, flying between the barrier island and Trenton using a state helicopter. But when asked if he got any sun, Christie was clear.

“I didn’t,” he said Sunday, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. “I didn’t get any sun today.”

1 of 9 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad × Gov. Chris Christie caught sunbathing at beach closed to public because of government shutdown View Photos The New Jersey governor was captured in pictures enjoying the beach with family and friends, despite the fact that it?s closed to everyone else. Caption The New Jersey governor was captured in pictures enjoying the beach with family and friends, despite the fact that it?s closed to everyone else. Mark Makela/Reuters Buy Photo Wait 1 second to continue.

That was before the newspaper showed the governor aerial photos of himself and his family relaxing on a very large and otherwise empty (because it was closed) portion of the state beach. The exclusive photos were published Sunday evening on NJ.com, sparking outrage from New Jersey residents already upset about the state’s budget impasse.

The slide show also prompted the equivocation of the year from Christie’s spokesman, Brian Murray. “He did not get any sun,” Murray told the Star-Ledger. “He had a baseball hat on.”

Gov. Chris Christie and family soak up sun on state beach he closed to the public. @AndyMills_NJ https://t.co/5NfFIv4IWX pic.twitter.com/nnWVxw5XT1 — Tony Dearing (@TonyDearing) July 2, 2017

The photos were taken from the open door of a small plane by Star-Ledger photographer Andrew Mills, who claimed in a behind-the-scenes column that Christie made eye contact with him from the beach.

“Most of the time, I get the shots and make a clean getaway. But once in a while, when the eyes meet, you know the jig is up,” Mills wrote. “ … In one photo, Christie looks me dead in the eye. He has to know what’s happening. Why else would a plane make two passes over his private beach party when there’s no one else around?”

The collection of aerial photos sparked a debate online over which shot was the most damning. Was it the close-up picture that showed Christie lounging in a beach chair, face clearly turned upward to soak in the sun’s rays?

PHOTOS: Christie, family soak up sun on N.J. beach he closed to public https://t.co/ZrisIYZBbc pic.twitter.com/qS56N38By3 — NJ.com (@njdotcom) July 2, 2017

Or was it a zoomed-out photo showing Christie and his party enjoying a public beach all to themselves with the taxpayer-funded mansion in the background?

There are so many to choose from, but I personally think this is the most devastating of @AndyMills_NJ's Christie photos. pic.twitter.com/AAEyJbgzEj — Daniel Dale (@ddale8) July 3, 2017

The governor also drew ridicule for a tweet from his official account, posted about half an hour before the Star-Ledger published the aerial beach photos. In the tweet, Christie linked to a YouTube video that showed him placing blame for the shutdown on Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.

New Jersey’s government shut down Friday night after lawmakers failed to pass a budget before the July 1 deadline.

“I’m not the person who has drawn a line the sand here,” Christie tweeted.

I’m not the person who has drawn a line the sand here. https://t.co/dJmapywYjm — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) July 2, 2017

Multiple people called him out for his poor choice of words.

“Uh, not the thing to be saying given that you, in fact, at this point are the only one able to draw lines in the sand in NJ,” one Twitter user replied.

Another added: “But you must be; you’re the only one who can get to the beach.”

Uproar over the photos — dubbed “Beachgate” online — continued into Monday, as many of the state’s “nonessential services” remained shuttered. Among those affected so far were a Cub Scout group forced to leave a state park campsite and drivers unable to obtain documents from the state motor vehicle commission, the Associated Press reported.

[The Greek tragedy that is Chris Christie’s political career just hit another new low]

It’s unclear if Christie himself will suffer any career-damaging fallout from the incident. After all, he has weathered major political setbacks before, from the “Bridgegate” scandal to a failed Republican presidential primary campaign in which he was repeatedly humiliated by then-candidate Donald Trump.

Christie remained unfazed by the photos — and the backlash — Monday, according to his spokesman.

“The Governor announced Monday on Ask the Governor and at subsequent news conferences that he would be joining his family at the beach this weekend,” Murray told The Washington Post. “We are gratified The Star-Ledger has confirmed what he said on three occasions.”

NJ beaches are open in 119 of our our 130 miles of coastline. Come and enjoy them--but use sunscreen and hydrate! pic.twitter.com/7LeCYcjZqm — Governor Christie (@GovChristie) July 3, 2017

On Monday, Christie also tweeted an aerial photo of the New Jersey Shore, noting that “beaches are open in 119 of our … 130 miles of coastline,” the implication being that residents had alternatives to the (closed) stretch of beach Christie and his family had occupied by themselves.

The tweet spurred another round of public shaming, with many accusing the governor of being tone deaf.

Even New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno — Christie’s former running mate, now running to succeed him — publicly came out against the governor’s optic disaster.

“If I were governor, I sure wouldn’t be sitting on the beach if taxpayers didn’t have access to state beaches,” Guadagno wrote on Facebook. “It’s beyond words.”

Front page of today's @starledger. It's gonna be this kind of day in Trenton. #njshutdown pic.twitter.com/vVANVqceOs — Matt Arco (@MatthewArco) July 3, 2017

This post has been updated.

Read more:

Christie, lawmakers at impasse as state parks remain closed

The tragic arc of Chris Christie

Chris Christie: ‘I wouldn’t let General Flynn in the White House, let alone give him a job’</s>Tubing Alert and Swimming Prohibited on the Delaware River



Please be advised that there are no river tubing businesses with a valid agreement with the State Park Service to launch from D & R Canal State Park.

Swimming in the Delaware River from D & R Canal State Park is always strictly prohibited.

Here are a few other nearby outdoor activities in our state parks to enjoy instead:

PARK ADVISORY: No Smoking in New Jersey state parks, forests, historic sites, marinas and recreation areas.

As of January 16, 2019, the smoking of tobacco and use of electronic smoking (vaping) devices is prohibited in all state parks, forests, historic sites, marinas and recreation areas.

Smoking is only permitted within your personal vehicle while on state park property.</s>Gov. Chris Christie spent part of Sunday lounging with his family on a beach at a state park he ordered closed to the public amid a government shutdown that showed little sign of ending.

The unpopular Republican governor, whose family was using the state residence at Island Beach State Park for the weekend, said later Sunday at a news conference in Trenton that he flew on a state helicopter to the residence.

“That’s where my family is sleeping so that’s where I’ll sleep,” he said. “When I have a choice between sleeping with my family or sleeping alone, I generally like to sleep where my family is.”

The governor was photographed by NJ.com sitting with his family on a beach chair in sandals and a T-shirt before flying to talk to reporters in Trenton, where he worked without result to end the shutdown.

During the news conference, Christie was asked if he had gotten any sun that day, to which he said he didn’t, NJ.com reported. The governor’s spokesman agreed that Christie didn’t get any sun; he said Christie was wearing a baseball hat.

Christie defended his use of the state property during the shutdown that affected the public, which is being kept out of state parks with signs blaming Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto, on Saturday, saying: “That’s the way it goes. Run for governor, and you can have the residence.”

Christie also said Sunday that he’s “frustrated” by the shutdown and is open to making a deal to reopen government.

Few lawmakers were around the statehouse Sunday, and Christie said that unless he sent state police to retrieve them he could not force them to be there.

Christie, for at least the second time, referred to himself as “Mr. Reasonable” and said he would consider the Democratic budget along with legislation to overhaul the state’s biggest health insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. Or without the Horizon legislation he has called for, he would line item veto about $350 million of the Democratic priorities.

“It should end today. Send me a budget,” he said. “I’m ready to work, but I can’t work if I don’t have any money. These guys have to get their act together.”

Also on Sunday, Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney, who’s allied with Christie, called for a meeting with lawmakers and Horizon’s CEO to try to hash out a way forward.

Horizon said CEO Bob Marino would attend. Horizon opposes Christie and Sweeney’s proposal.

Christie also said he would order the Legislature to return Monday after ordering it to do so Saturday and Sunday as well.

Democrats are splintered over the impasse, with Prieto opposed to the plan and Sweeney in favor.

The term-limited governor blames the shutdown on Prieto, who continues to hold open a vote on the Assembly floor on the $34.7 billion budget that remains deadlocked with 27 yes votes, shy of the 41 needed to succeed. Democrats who are abstaining say they worry about Christie line item vetoing education funding from the budget.

Christie ordered the shutdown of nonessential state services, like parks and motor vehicle offices, on Friday after he and lawmakers failed to agree on terms.

Christie had demanded that lawmakers pass Senate-approved legislation to make over Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, but on Sunday said he’d reopen the government under either scenario.

Prieto has said he’s concerned about tweaking the state’s biggest insurer when congressional Republicans and President Donald Trump are contemplating overhauling the Affordable Care Act.

Over the weekend, the public began feeling the effects of the shutdown.

Among those affected were Cub Scouts forced to leave a state park campsite and people trying to obtain or renew documents from the state motor vehicle commission.

Remaining open under the shutdown are New Jersey Transit, state prisons, the state police, state hospitals and treatment centers as well as casinos, race tracks and the lottery.

Liberty State Park was closed, forcing the suspension of ticket sales and ferry service from the site to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. But the latter two sites remained open.</s>Christie caught on beach he closed to public</s>New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie sparked widespread outrage Sunday after he was pictured sunbathing on a beach he closed to the public.

Aerial photos snapped by Andrew Mills , a multimedia specialist at NJ Advance Media, captured the Republican governor lapping up the sun in a beach chair and sandals, surrounded by about a dozen friends and family members, with no one else in sight.

“They were enjoying the beautiful summer day on a beach closed to the public by Christie,” Mills wrote in a piece for NJ.com .

A day earlier, Christie shut down the state’s government, which closed public parks and beaches. He cited a budget standoff in the Legislature.

Mills and a pilot took off in a small plane Sunday afternoon to see whether they could spot Christie near the state-owned governor's beach house at Island Beach State Park. The plane had already been booked to cover July 4 festivities.

“Did we know he would be sunbathing on a closed beach? No, but we took a shot and it paid off,” Mills said.

Hovering about 1,000 feet in the air, the photographer and pilot soon spotted Christie and his crew.

“It wasn't difficult to find him,” Mills said. “There Christie was, with family and friends, on a long and empty stretch of beach near the governor's shore residence, nobody else within a country mile.”

Mills, who has been a photojournalist for 23 years, said the plane passed Christie and then circled back. That’s when he fired away with his long-range lens.

“In one photo, Christie looks me dead in the eye,” Mills said.

At a later news conference, Christie denied spending time at the beach. “I didn't get any sun,” he told reporters, according to NJ.com.

After the photos surfaced, Christie changed his tune. The governor said he had previously said he would be at the beach house. He said the media only "caught a politician keeping his word," according to WTXF-TV.

Christie is the least popular governor in two decades, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released last month. The survey found only 15% of New Jersey voters approve of him.</s>The Latest on New Jersey's budget stalemate (all times local):

Gov. Chris Christie is defending his use of a beach closed to the public during New Jersey's government shutdown, saying he had previously announced his vacation plans and the media had simply "caught a politician keeping his word."

The Republican governor was photographed Sunday by NJ.com at Island Beach State Park sitting on a beach chair in sandals and a T-shirt before flying to talk to reporters in Trenton.

Christie tells WTXF-TV in Philadelphia on Monday that he had earlier said he planned to be at the state-owned governor's beach house regardless of whether there was a shutdown.

He says the media "caught a politician keeping his word" and adds New Jersey "has beaches for 120 miles" so there are plenty of options for anyone wanting a beach day as the Fourth of July approaches.

New Jersey's budget stalemate between Republican Gov. Chris Christie and the Democrat-controlled Legislature is smoldering with the state government shut down and state parks closed to the public as the Fourth of July approaches.

Christie spent part of Sunday lounging with his family at a beach in a state park he had ordered closed. He said he'd sign any budget lawmakers sent to him and blamed the shutdown of nonessential services on Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.

Christie says he'd consider the Democratic budget along with legislation to overhaul the state's biggest health insurer, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield. He says without the Horizon legislation he has called for he'd line item veto $350 million of the Democratic priorities.

Prieto is holding open a deadlocked vote on the Assembly floor on the $34.7 billion budget.</s>Governor Chris Christie, New Jersey’s least-popular governor ever, was photographed Sunday on Island Beach State Park with his wife. Trouble is he’d ordered the beach closed because of an impasse over the state’s budget. Even worse, when asked Sunday afternoon at a news conference if he’d gotten any sun, Christie replied: “I didn’t. I didn’t get any sun today.”

The front page of the Star-Ledger summed up the reaction:

The paper posted a gallery of 22 images showing Christie and his family on Island Beach State Park, which is near the governor’s beach house. Andrew Mills, the Advance Media photographer who shot the images, explained in an article that his company, which owns the Star-Ledger, “had booked a plane for the Fourth of July. The plan was to fly along the Jersey Shore on the holiday and shoot the crowded beaches, juxtaposed with the empty stretches of sand that were off-limits because of the government shutdown, if it were still in effect.” Here’s more:

But when Sunday’s weather looked good, and the governor’s schedule was open except for an afternoon press briefing in Trenton, I wondered, “What are the chances ...?” “Let’s take a shot,” I said. “Worst-case scenario is we get some great aerial shots of the crowded and empty beaches and we try again on Tuesday.” When I arrived at Monmouth Executive Airport and spotted the governor’s helicopter, I realized he was in the area. The chopper was parked at the airport, instead of outside the mansion, where it would draw more attention. Maybe Christie was trying to lay low. But was he hanging out inside the governor's beach house or sitting on the beach? The airport is about 20 miles from the residence, so it didn’t take us long to find out. We made one pass along the barren beach, spotted Christie and his family, and I snapped a few shots. I told the pilot, “Don't buzz him. Just pass slowly and I’ll get him again.” We circled around for a second pass, and I aimed my camera again.

Hours later Christie denied he’d even been on the beach. After the photos were posted online Sunday and, predictably, went viral, the governor’s spokesman said: “He did not get any sun. He had a baseball hat on.”

Christie, whose term ends in January 2018, had closed the beach, and others, Saturday because of the budget standoff. When asked if he thought it was fair that his family could enjoy the park though other New Jersey’s residents could not, the governor said the beach house wasn’t near the park, adding his family didn’t seek state services. His advice Saturday for those state residents who wanted to use the beach: “Run for governor, and you can have a residence there.”

On Monday, his twitter feed had more advice for the state’s residents:
Governor Chris Christie is caught sunbathing with his family on a beach he had ordered closed for the fourth of July holiday. The beach was closed to the public amid a state budget crisis.