Recreation Department

Beach Tags 2025 Application – Sale begins May 1st, no earlier, at Borough Hall, 400 Boulevard.

The Mountain Lakes Pre-Team, Swim and Dive Summer Programs 

 Daily summer practices for Mountain Lakes youth ages 5 and up. You must pass the borough beach test to be on the swim or dive team. Click for fliers PRE-TEAM, SWIM/DIVE, and HIGH SCHOOL.

 Dive Team 3-5pm, 5 weeks of practice $275; Swim Team 5-6pm, 6 weeks of practice $275; Both Swim and Dive: $375; Residents in high school can join swim/dive for $50 

 All kids under 10 years of age must be accompanied by a chaperone 16 years of age and older during practice time. Kids under the age of 13 who can swim 25 yards on their own but have not passed the swim test yet are welcome to join the pre-team.

 Pre Team: 4-4:45pm, 5 weeks of daily practice $375

Space is limited to 24 participants, register early. There will be a waitlist if the session fills and we may open another session at 3pm. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by a chaperone 16 years of age and older if they have not passed the swim test. Beach Tags must be purchased from the Borough to participate. Free T-shirt for registering before June 1.

 Click to REGISTER. Questions? Please contact mlswimdiveteam@gmail.com

 2025 Rack and Ring RENEWAL Form

The month of March is the time to renew. If you had a rack and/or ring in 2024, you may renew via one of the following ways:

• You will receive an email by 9am March 3rd from recreation@mtnlakes.org with instructions to renew. Email used is the one on your 2024 application.
• Borough Hall (400 Boulevard) Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Renewal application will be on our WEBSITE by 9am March 3rd.
• Mail your renewal or drop it in the green tax payment box at Borough Hall parking lot (400 Boulevard)

We encourage you to renew by March 21st, but by Mar 31st at the latest. After March 31st, any rack and/or ring not renewed will be open to new applicants.

The annual fee for rack and ring renewal is $50 ($35 for Seniors’ age 62+).

All watercraft must be registered, including kid kayaks and paddle boards. If you need to register your watercraft, please go to Borough Hall to complete a registration form. Fee is $5 per watercraft. If your sticker is no longer visible, you will need to re-register your watercraft.

If you did not have a rack and ring in 2024, new applications will be available Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Proof of residency is required. Further information will be announced in the March 21st weekly email.

USA Sports Group Spring Programs Flyer

TJD Sports Academy Spring Basketball Clinic Flyer

TJD Sports Academy Spring Break Basketball Program Flyer

TJD Sports Academy Volleyball Clinic Flyer

Summer Recreation Program at Wildwood Elementary School

Monday-Friday, June 30-August 1 (no program on Friday, July 4) from 9am-12pm for rising Kindergarten through 5th graders. Fridays Weeks 2, 3, and 4 are at the beaches.

Week 1: $132 – Red, White, and Blue (June 30-July 3, no program July 4). Thursday, July 3 will be at the beaches.

Week 2: $165 – Winter Wonderland (July 7-11) – NEW field trip to Boonton Lanes on Wed, July 9. Transportation not provided.

Week 3: $165 – Water Fun (July 14-18)

Week 4: $165 – Mountain Lakes Has Talent! (July 21-25) Counselors will work with kids to create a fun show for all to see. Great fun for performers and non-performers!

Week 5: $165 – Beach Week (July 28-August 1) The program will be held at Island Beach and Birchwood Lake every day this week.

NEW! Extended Day Multi-Sport Program, provided by USA Sports Group Registration for this extended day program is directly through USA Sports Group and will open at the same day and time. Cost is $115 per week (Monday-Thursday).

Teen Adventure Travel Program – July 7-Aug 1, 2025

The Mountain Lakes Teen Adventure program offers different fun excursions each week – Dorney Park, Point Pleasant Beach, Camelbeach Water Park, roller skating, bowling, Broadway, and more! Open to teens going into 6th-9th grade in August 2025. The times vary for different trips and generally depart at 9am and return between 3-7pm from Briarcliff Middle School. More information, including specific times, will be sent by the Teen Adventure Director after registration. Week 4 is Surf Week, where teens travel each day to Asbury Park to learn to surf. Weekly trips will be posted to our website as soon as all reservations are confirmed.

Week 1: $450 – July 7-11 – Roller Skating/Bowling, Point Pleasant Beach, Branchburg Sports Complex, Dorney Park, and Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark.

Week 2: $500 – July 14-18 – Roller Skating/Bowling, Point Pleasant Beach, Broadway (show TBD), Dorney Park, and Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark.

Week 3: $450 – July 21-25 – Roller Skating/Bowling, Point Pleasant Beach, Dorney Park, Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark, and Branchburg Sports Complex.

Week 4: $550 – July 28-August 1 – Surf Camp at Summertime Surf in Asbury Park

The Mountain Lakes Sailing Association Summer Program – June 23 – July 25, 2025 at Island Beach

Summer sailing instructional camp for Mountain Lakes youth ages 8 and up. The camp runs for 5 weeks, Monday through Thursday, with Fridays reserved for make-up days for inclement weather (except Week 2). Campers younger than 13 years old must pass the Mountain Lakes swim test prior to participation.

Campers must have a Sunfish Sailboat. Boat Rental is available for $50/week if you do not own a Sunfish. Please add this option to your cart when you register.

Tennis Court Rules

1. Courts are for the sole use of Mountain Lakes residents, Mountain Lakes High School students, and their guests.
2. Courts are for tennis only. All other activities are prohibited.
3. No pets, bicycles, skateboards, roller skates, glass containers, or alcoholic beverages allowed.
4. Players must yield to waiting players after one hour.
5. Courts reserved by MLHS and ML Recreation Department have priority over other users.
6. All group tennis lessons must be approved by ML Recreation Department.
7. Teaching professionals who are Mountain Lakes residents have the same court rights as any ML resident. Other teaching professionals may only use the courts to instruct ML residents.
8. Courts must be left clean with trash and recyclables placed in the appropriate containers.

Tennis court privileges may be revoked for misuse or misconduct. Individuals using the courts who are not ML residents and not accompanied by an ML resident are trespassing and may be fined accordingly.

MLHS Tennis Teams typically have all courts reserved in the Fall and Spring on Monday-Friday 3-6pm and Saturdays 8-10am. Recreation Programs typically have one set (3 courts) reserved on Sundays from 8:30am-4:30pm, the other set of courts are open for resident use.

Youth Sports Programs provided by USA Sports Group– click HERE for more information and to register for squirts soccer, flag football, multi-sport, and tennis programs.

Mountain Lakes Swim Test

The swim test is given to children 12 years and younger for them to:

1) Swim in deep water areas (past their shoulders)

2) Use diving boards (if open)

3) Be on docks (if open)

4) Be on swimming or diving team (if open)

• Children who pass this test may come to the beach alone if they are at least 10 years old.
• The test is only administered at Birchwood Beach, 11am-4pm every day from the day after schools out through Labor Day but gives the child privileges at both Birchwood and Island Beach.
• A child may only take the beach test once per day.
• To pass the swim test:
  • The child must be able to swim the designated distance using the front crawl stroke with good rotary breathing.
  • His/her face fully submerged in the water.
  • They must be visibly exhaling into the water.
  • They must swim the entire distance without stopping.
  • They must show the endurance to be able to swim the distance without total exhaustion.
  • They must also have an acceptable back crawl and be able to tread water.

The lifeguard administering the swim test will explain the test and what is necessary to pass before the child makes their attempt. They will then provide feedback regarding the reasoning behind the pass/fail after the test. Both children and parents are encouraged to ask the lifeguard questions to know what needs to be improved in order to pass.

Mountain Lakes Rules and Enforcement for Birchwood Lake and Island Beach

• Recreational facilities are open dawn to dusk. Volleyball is open until 11pm.
• Lifeguards are in full charge of the beach
• Beach is open to residents only
  1. Beach tags are required for residents 2 years and older when lifeguards are on duty
  2. Proof of residency is required at all other times
  3. Beach tags are non-transferable
• Beach tags and privileges attached may be withdrawn for misconduct or using a tag not registered to you
• Children who must be accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older:
  1. All children under 10 years of age
  2. Children 10 years through 12 years who have not passed the swim test and received a swim badge
• Swim badges must be worn on the suit
• Children 12 years and under without a swim badge are restricted to shallow water areas
• Swimmers over 12 years of age and those who are wearing swim badges:
  1. May use deep water areas (swim lanes, rafts, and diving boards)
  2. Swim Pre-Team members may utilize the swim lanes during Swim Practice only.  Must be supervised by Swim Coach
• No personal floatation devices (bubbles, vests, floaties, lifejackets, etc.) of any kind except in swim classes
• No running, pushing, or roughhousing on beach, rafts, or docks
• Ball playing only at the far end of the beach
• No glass containers on the beach
• No alcoholic beverages permitted
• No dogs permitted on the beach
• Special events require permits
• No fishing allowed on the docks at Birchwood Lake any time during the summer

• No fishing allowed on the beaches while beaches are open
• No sitting or waiting on the floating docks
• Restrooms will be open during beach hours and will be maintained

PUBLIC PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS AND FIELDS:

ALL Borough parks, playgrounds and fields are currently open.  Please adhere to all posted rules and regulations.

For further details, contact the Recreation Department through email at recreation@mtnlakes.org