Bay Head Shores – Jersey-Friendly Yards

Bay Head Shores Property Owners Association A project to protect the community beach area from wind blown sand movement and shoreline erosion, and beautify the shared clubhouse grounds with native perennials, shrubs and grasses.

Download a PDF Case Study Bay Head Shores

Bay Head Shores Property Owners Association offers its residents 55,ooo square feet of space for recreation and enjoyment, including yoga on the beach, sunbathing and tennis. Windy conditions cause continual shifting sand movement off the beach and onto the tennis court, parking lot and street. The goal of the Bay Head Shores Property Owners Association is to protect the community beach area from wind blown sand and shoreline erosion.

Beach Plum (Prunus maritima), Groundsel Bush (Baccharis halimifolia) and Beach Grass were installed along the tennis court and back fence line along the street to prevent wind erosion and blowing sand. Native perennials, including Seaside Goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), were planted next to the benches to add accents of color, texture, and to support nectaring butterflies.

Existing native vegetation along the shoreline area was sparse, but healthy.  Northern Bayberry (Morella pensylvanica) and Beach Grass were added as a supplement to create a barrier against wind and water erosion, and build resiliency against storms. The view of the river and bay is cherished by residents and is a vital component of the expansive landscape that was kept intact.

A year after installation of the Jersey-Friendly Landscaping, the Beach Grass and Beach Plum shrubs have created a barrier against the wind-driven sand around the tennis court and near the street. Seaside Goldenrod that straddles the benches will bloom in the fall, offering nectar to migrating Monarchs. The vegetation along the shoreline has grown into a lush, thick barrier protecting it against water erosion and loss of beach.