Future Of Liberty State Park: Meeting In Jersey City This Weekend

JERSEY CITY, NJ — After years of concerns about developer Paul Fireman's plans for sports and entertainment facilities at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, activists are urging supporters of the park to come to a meeting this Saturday about the state's revitalization plan.

"The Liberty State Park Revitalization Program will bring more than one hundred acres of active recreational, arts, and cultural improvements to Liberty State Park’s perimeter," the state said, "and create a central park at its heart with world-class natural landscapes that build resilience to flooding and climate change while providing passive recreation and educational opportunities for the public."

Some activists are concerned that there may be more to the project than meets the eye.

Activist Sam Pesin, whose father Morris was known as the "father" of the park, wanted to remind people that the meeting will be held at Liberty Science Center, not at the park.

Pesin said he's concerned about possible plans by the state to expand the private marina at the park, Liberty Landing Marina — especially if the plan allows for "superyachts."

"I expect most of the consultants’ proposals will be very good if they continue to listen to the 5,000 public comments in the last year, but outrageously, it’s clear that the DEP officials' flagrant failure to reply to several emails from the Friends of LSP, confirms that the DEP's plan ... will include marina privatization expansion for superyachts' docks all the way up to the river," he said.

He's also concerned that the state will pursue other "harmful" marina plans already rejected by a prior DEP commissioner and other park activists, he said.

The DEP plans to restore a historic train shed at the park and work on other initiatives.

The Science Center will have free parking, and is next to the Liberty State Park light rail stop.

Park History

Liberty State Park opened during the bicentennial year 1976. Over the years, activist groups have attempted to steer the park away from potential overdevelopment and commercialization.

The park has nature trails, two playgrounds, picnic areas, a nature center, the historic CRRNJ Terminal, Caven Point Beach, and wildlife preserves.

Ferry service from the park to the Statue of Liberty has been paused until March 8, but you can still go from Manhattan. (Find out more about that here.)

Find out more about the DEP's plans here.

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