Ocean City, NJ, Boardwalk Looks Different for Summer 2026

If you haven't been to Ocean City in a while, some exciting changes are happening for the summer of 2026.

In fact, you might not recognize parts of the boardwalk right now.

And, no, we're not talking about some new development at Wonderland or its reopening as an amusement park (not much has changed there since it closed in 2024)...

For the past several months, crews have been working hard replacing boards along several blocks of the boardwalk and it looks fantastic.

The work has been concentrated on a small section north of 5th Street...

...where it's interesting to see the boardwalk with no lights on it (yet), and also between 12th and 14th Streets.

Of course, work on the boardwalk is nothing new. After all, those boards absorb not only millions and millions of footsteps every year, but it's also exposed to the wrath of Mother Nature.

Back in 2017, a big section of the boardwalk was totally removed and rebuilt. Back then, we got to see a view that many never get to see -- no boardwalk at all in Ocean City...

• READ MORE: 13 Free Beach Concerts Coming to Somers Point This Summer

The other day, I spent some time in the 12th to 14th Street section to document the work that is being done there, and it's quite interesting.

For starters, much like any other public right of way, proper signs are up about parts of it being closed.

Big sections of construction fencing are lining the boardwalk.

And it's cool to see parts of it exposed like this. When was the last time you saw a boardwalk without boards?

I've also never stopped to think about how many screws had to be removed and how many are being installed.

But for the sections where the work has been completed, the new boards look great.

If you get a chance, head down to the Ocean City Boardwalk soon before the crowds of summer arrive. Those fresh, new boards will soon get scuffed and stained with ketchup from dropped French Fries.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com