After long process, NJDEP unveils Liberty State Park Master Plan at open house

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) unveiled the Liberty State Park Master Plan to revitalize Jersey City’s premiere open space at an open house last night after great deliberation and public input.

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

NJDEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette explained that the Central Railroad of New jersey Terminal, where the event was held, served as a transit hub for an estimated 12 million immigrants over the years via nearby Ellis Island.

“Liberty State Park has become a crown gem of the state park system. It’s an admittedly rough cut gem,” he asserted.

LaTourette noted the extensive advocacy for further development of the post-industrial space that has been done, and as a result, they launched a program to clean the soil of the interior portion of the park in October 2023.

“The DEP set a determined course for transforming Liberty State Park into one of the nation’s premier outdoor urban environments,” he declared.

LaTourette noted the interior will be natural, but it will have an engineered landscape to increase storm protection measures, along with active recreation.

He further stated that the train shed canopy will serve as a market and gathering space, while the south side will house an athletics hub with regulation fields, tracks, and athletic courts.

“The Master Plan reflects deeps deep engagement with the people, communities and organizations,” LaTourette added.

He explained they are working with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to bid for a construction management company to coordinate projects to applause.

LaTourette noted the Marine Green, Audrey Zapp Gateway, the Terminal Plaza, and the train shed will be the first projects detailed in the Master Plan that will be built. Bids are due August 27th. He was confident construction could start before of the end of the year.

“The People’s Park is yours because ordinary people like you have championed its permanent revitalization!” LaTourette exclaimed to applause.

However, the total cost of the ambitious master plan vision is very high: He indicated it would cost $1 billion and take 10 years to complete all the recommended improvements.

“This master plan needs you to be its champion,” he added, urging them to press the New Jersey legislature for a portion of the funding.

“Liberty State Park is yours because ordinary people made it so,” LaTourette declared to applause.

Afterwards, people were encouraged to see depictions of different steps of the plan displayed across the room.

“Many thousands of people have advocated for a Central Park-type park, which I see in these exhibits. These plans really reflect the broad public consensus of what people have always wanted: A free public park,” Friends of Liberty State Park (FOLSP) President Sam Pesin explained.

“Friends of Liberty State Park strongly supports the new master plan, which is visionary and great. We thank Commissioner LaTourette for guiding the process with maximum public participation. It’s essential that the DEP always seek public input.”

Pesin also noted there were plans for active recreation in the south in the park that were extensive, which he approved of. However, he still remained wary of privatization efforts.

Hudson County Commissioner Jerry Walker, also the Democratic nominee for state Assembly in the 31st Legislative District and an advocate for the People’s Park Foundation.  praised the plan and its inclusion of active recreation.

“I think it is a good one,” he told HCV, expressing an interest in a community center that was included at the edge of the park near the Liberty Science Center.

“There’s a desperate need for more active rec,” he noted.

Walker insisted that active youth recreation space remains his primary goal versus commercial facilities. He was interested in a facility where high school state championship games could be held.

“I was never against the natural part,” Walker added.

He was also concerned about the details of the Marina Green athletic fields by the water and safety.

LaTourette later explained that cleaning contaminated soil is a complicated, costly, and time-consuming process that needs to be completed before work on construction in the interior can begin.

He also explained that a bill was signed into law to launch a private foundation to supplement New Jersey park funding with private donations.

Furthermore, the DEP is in the process of launching the organization, which would be run by a board of directors, which would include cabinet members and nonprofit officials.

“I think private money is necessary,” LaTourette noted.

Money could be donated to the foundation for the express purpose of building specific projects. LaTourette added that DEP is eager to purchase some of the industrial buildings that remain in use, whose land could be added to the park.