New Battle Brewing Over Liberty State Park In Jersey City

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 say they're trying to get more information about a potential new initiative that may be discussed at a public meeting this month.

Activist Sam Pesin, whose father Morris was known as the "father" of the park, said on New Year's Day that he's asking people to attend an "open house" scheduled by the Department of Environmental Protection at Liberty Science Center on Saturday, Jan. 25.

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 Jan. 25 event will focus on the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program, according to the DEP.

"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," they 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."

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

But Pesin and the Friends of Liberty State Park have concerns.

Meeting At Different Venue

Activists are asking the park's supporters to come to the meeting this month, noting that it's not at the usual venue.

"Having it at the Science Center will be more of a hassle than if it was at the historic CRRNJ Terminal, but that's currently off-limits as all the windows are being replaced," Pesin said. "But it hopefully will help attendance if people take the light rail to the LSP stop and walk less than 5 minutes to LSC."

The DEP is making parking free for the meeting. They said that all are invited.

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.

PRIOR REPORTING: What Will Become Of Liberty State Park?