Dunes
More than just a clean place for fun in the sun, this park is also a protected ecological habitat. The Park System regularly reinforces the sand dunes by planting erosion-fighting beach grass. These dunes act as a natural barrier against severe storms and serve as a habitat for threatened bird and plant species. As such, certain areas of the beach are sometimes closed and removed from the beach raking schedule to “let natural processes prevail.” This is done so that various native species may survive and thrive undisturbed.
History of the Site
Long Branch was placed "on the map" in 1869 when President Grant made the city the nation's "Summer Capital," a tradition followed by Presidents Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Harrison, McKinley, and Wilson. In the late 1800s Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park was the site of "The Reservation" that Long Branch businessman Nate Salsbury built for his Buffalo Bill Wild West Show. Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, and Chief Sitting Bull were among the many performers.
