Sand buildup on the beach over the years has left the Heather Road Fishing Pier landlocked. (Photo courtesy of Wildwood Crest)
Wildwood Crest will receive $2.5 million in funding from Cape May County to extend what is now a landlocked fishing pier into the ocean.
The new design will extend the Heather Road Fishing Pier about 1,250 feet to restore its use as a true fishing pier, while also enhancing public access, safety and accessibility, according to a county news release Friday.
A widened terminal “bump-out” area will provide additional space for fishermen, sightseers, and visitors, while separating fishing activity from pedestrian use.
The project also includes new decking, lighting, benches, water stations, interpretive signage, and other public amenities designed to enhance the visitor experience and long-term durability of the pier, the release says.
Improvements to the pier are also designed to meet the accessibility requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
According to the plans, the reconstructed pier will also be widened to 12 feet and elevated to accommodate the Wildwood Crest dune system overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
The Heather Road Fishing Pier is a popular community destination located along the Wildwood Crest Promenade near Scoop Taylor Park and other recreation attractions.
The pier’s reconstruction aligns with the goals of the borough’s master plan. It also responds to the public’s desire for restoration of fishing access and improved access to the waterfront, according to the release.
Environmental reviews conducted as part of the funding application indicate that the project will not adversely impact protected coastal habitats or wildlife. Construction will adhere to strict dune-protection requirements.
After years of sand buildup on the beach, the fishing pier has literally become landlocked.
Altogether, the pier’s reconstruction and extension will cost about $7.4 million. The county will help to finance the project by contributing $2.5 million from the Cape May County Open Space Program.
Construction is anticipated to begin in early 2026, pending final state permitting, with completion targeted for summer 2026. The project was designed by DeBlasio & Associates of Wildwood.
In a key step for the project, the Cape May County Board of Commissioners approved a shared services agreement with Wildwood Crest on Dec. 16.
“This is exactly the type of project the Cape May County Open Space Program was created to support,” Commission Director Leonard Desiderio said. “The Heather Road Fishing Pier will once again serve residents and visitors as a true recreational fishing and sightseeing destination while improving accessibility, safety, and resilience along our coastline.”
In addition to County Open Space funds, financing will also be provided through a combination of a New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Boardwalk Preservation Fund grant and local matching funds from Wildwood Crest. The county’s contribution represents the maximum allowable share under the Open Space Program guidelines.
“This pier is more than a local improvement. It’s a regional asset,” said Commissioner Bob Barr, the Board of Commissioners’ liaison to the Cape May County Open Space Board. “By restoring fishing access, improving ADA compliance, investing in long-lasting infrastructure, and preserving the natural history of recreational fishing for our area, the county is helping ensure that Wildwood Crest’s oceanfront pier remains accessible, inclusive, and attractive to visitors and residents for decades to come.”
