Dear Editor:
DEP Commissioner Martin: I am writing on behalf of the Jersey City Parks Coalition (JCPC) regarding the potential privatization of the Southside of Liberty State Park. JCPC is a collection of 23 neighborhood and park groups throughout every ward working together to grow and improve the Jersey City park system. The Coalition is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization since 2005.
We are appealing to you as, once again, we feel that Liberty State Park is under attack by Trenton and private development. For years, we’ve worked hand in hand with Friends of Liberty State Park to defend this valuable open space and maintain the “people’s park”. The proposed plan to extend a marina to the entire southern part of the park will greatly impact the public and change accessibility for those that need it most…the average citizen.
As the leader of a non-profit city-wide park advocacy group I know that the Community prospers when we stand together for safety, education and our quality of life. We ask you now to protect Liberty State Park BUT not only protect LSP and open space but to protect our communities. And when I say communities I don’t just mean all local Jersey City or Hudson County communities, I mean the communities throughout the state of New Jersey.
If our parks are compromised so are our neighborhoods. Open space, regardless of its size – large or small – is the most valuable commodity we have not only for today but for our future generations. If Liberty State Park is given over to privatization then every open space and park land throughout the State of New Jersey is now put in jeopardy. We cannot let this happen – We will not let this happen! We as an organization call for a public hearing on this most crucial matter and state our opposition to the ruination of the south side of the park by allowing a marina to be built in this valuable publically accessible location behind Lady Liberty.
Laura Skolar
President
Jersey City Parks Coalition
