The Jersey Shore

In the early days of barrier island life at the Shore, in places like Barnegat Light, NJ, (then Barnegat City) dunes, some as steep as 30 to 50 feet high, dominated the beach landscape and were backed by lush bayberry, cedar trees and then salt hay marshes.
With the development of the island and commercial properties like hotels, much of the protective barrier of the high dunes were eliminated to offer better views and access to the ocean.