Several beaches New Jersey beaches and parks have recently been closed and Island Beach State Park is no different.

Boasting beautiful sands a favorite getaway for locals, the beach is one of the quieter alternatives for a weekend getaway. With no boardwalk or amusement park rides, this is the perfect place to take a family on 4th of July weekend.   

But the government shutdown prevented local families from enjoying their planned getaways close to home. 

And when photos of Gov. Chris Christie lounging on the beach began to circulate, a collective gasp from the community ensued.

Christie was seen sunning himself in a pair of shorts with his wife next to him, with friends and family surrounding them as they had the entire beach to themselves.

The photos from NJ.com show them out enjoying the water and relaxing in the sun, as if a state-issued ban on Jersey vacation spots was not in effect.

Locals have critiqued the move saying it "reeks of power and privilege as well as the abuse of it."

“That’s the way it goes,” Christie said Saturday. “Run for governor and you can have the residence.”

In an interview with Philly.com, Conrad Kurach, of Bensalem, stated he had plans to take his children to Island Beach on Saturday. But once, the photos of Christie went viral, he was dismayed.

“When I saw that, I was like, ‘Wow that’s crazy,'” said Kurach, who purchased a year-long pass for $225.  “All the other people could not go in, but he could.”

But Kurach, like other would-be beach-goers, is wondering if he can get a refund for the beach time he missed.