LETTER: Jersey City parks group stands with LGBTQ+ community in wake of hateful actions

In a letter to the editor, the Jersey City Parks Coalition is expressing their support for the LGBTQ+ community in the wake of hateful actions.

Dear Editor,

On Saturday, July 29th the Canco Park Conservancy, along with Jersey City Pride, put together a “Drag Queen Story Hour” event that was meant to bring families together and share in the benefits of 1) the city’s diversity and 2) our urban park system.

This event, unfortunately, attracted the attention of protesters and a false bomb threat that endangered the surrounding community. We are happy to know no one was hurt.

As the Jersey City Parks Coalition, an organization made up of close to 30 member park organizations throughout Jersey City, we stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and applaud Canco Park Conservancy and Jersey City Pride for standing up and continuing this event.

Over the years, Canco Park has become a place where families of all backgrounds, religion, and sexuality can all share a space and come together to enjoy passive recreation and native plants.

Their events have and will continue to shine a bright light on Jersey City. We would also like to thank our Jersey City Police Dept. and other law enforcement agencies for their work on this day.

We stand against and condemn the actions taken by hatred, bigotry, and selfishness for others. We know that these actions do not represent Jersey City and should not be tolerated at any level.

We are happy to see many of our park members choosing to celebrate diversity by hosting “Drag Queen Story Hour” events at their parks.

The latest installment, which was held at Riverview Park, had over 350 people in attendance! As an organization we will continue to work to ensure that our public green spaces are open to all.

For those within the LGBTQ+ community that need help or further resources, please contact the Hudson Pride Center at info@hudsonpride.org.

In Solidarity,
Jersey City Parks Coalition

Jersey City Park Coalition Board of Trustees & the JCPC Member Parks

Paula Mahayosnand, President
Charlene Burke, Vice President
Marc Wesson, Treasurer
Irina Shalaeva, Secretary
Laura Skolar
Roger Heitmann
Michele LaMonica-Egar
Florence Holmes
Chris Perez
Patrick Ambrossi
Dawn Giambalvo

Jersey City Park Coalition 29 Member Parks

Friends of Arlington Park
Friends of Audubon Park
Bayside Park Neighborhood Association
Bergen Hill Park Association
Bergen Arches Preservation Coalition
Friends of Boyd McGuiness Park
Canco Park Conservancy
Court House Park Advocacy
The Embankment Coalition (Harsimus Branch & Embankment)
Jones Park Association | Enos Jones Park
Friends of Ercel Webb Park
Friends of Ferris Triangle Park & Community Center
Gallagher Park Conservancy | William Gallagher Park
Friends of Gateway Park
Historic Jersey City Harsimus Cemetery
Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association
Hamilton Park Conservancy
Leonard Gordon Park Conservancy
Friends of Liberty State Park
Lincoln Park/ WSCA (West Side Community Alliance)
Friends of Lincoln Park West
Pershing Field Garden Friends | Pershing Field
Friends of Riverview –Fisk Park
Jersey City Reservoir Preservation Alliance | Reservoir #3
Friends of Sargent Anthony Park
Friends of Skyway Park Conservancy
Friends of Van Vorst Park
Village Park | Village Neighborhood Association
Washington Park Association of Hudson County