Police turned away cars, bicyclists and joggers.
However, Gov. Chris Christie, his family and guests were waved into Island Beach State Park to spend their Fourth of July weekend while the state government, shutdown because of a budget impasse, has closed state parks, including this one to the public.
"The governor has a residence at Island Beach. Others don't," Christie said, the Philadelphia Enquirer reported. "Run for governor and you can have the residence."
Christie went to the statehouse Sunday in a failed effort to resolve the budget issue. He was expected to return to the beach house by helicopter.
The state owns a house on the 10-mile barrier island that the governor can use. The six-bedroom house has views of the Atlantic Ocean and a guesthouse facing the bay. The home is guarded by state police, who are on duty during the shutdown, according to WKXW.
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