As part of its ongoing dedication to increasing access to urban green space, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection today held the fourth open house-style event to engage directly with the public and gather feedback on the revitalization of Liberty State Park. The open house focused on active recreation amenities, vehicle and pedestrian circulation throughout the park, design concepts for the restoration of the historic train shed and updates on the cleanup of the long fenced-off park interior.
“As an integral part of our revitalization program, My DEP colleagues and I continue to engage with Liberty State Park visitors and surrounding communities to understand how they envision the future of this incredible park,” said Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “Together, we can elevate this special place that is rich with history and full of exciting opportunities for all to explore.”
Open house attendees were invited to view posters, provide comments, ask questions and participate in several interactive activities. Those who were unable to attend the open house in person can view the open house materials and provide feedback online. Comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Open House Details
Commissioner LaTourette provided opening remarks inside the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building thanking Governor Murphy and the state legislature for providing $35 million in New Jersey’s FY25 budget to aid the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program. As directed by the state legislature, the budget appropriation will be used for construction costs for athletic fields, active recreation, a community center, the railroad terminal, or community gardens, and improvements that directly support such facilities, including concessions, restrooms, and mobility within the park.
Commissioner LaTourette also celebrated an additional $7.3 million awarded to the revitalization program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Resilience Regional Challenge, part of a $72 million total award for resilience projects and planning across the state. The NOAA funding will ensure additional park enhancements are climate resilient by utilizing nature-based features.
During the open house, attendees interacted with multiple stations which displayed information about the revitalization program’s three concurrent projects: LSP-North, LSP-Interior and LSP-South.
LSP-North: improvements along the Audrey Zapp Drive corridor, which includes the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building’s historic train shed, the park’s northern waterfront areas, the north cove and the Grove of Remembrance. Concepts presented for the historic train shed included food concessions and event space, historical interpretation, flex spaces and natural features. Options for park programming, circulation of pedestrians, vehicles and future shuttle services, along with renderings for the “woodland walk,” “marina green” and “north cove” were presented.
LSP-Interior: the cleanup and restoration of the park’s long fenced-off interior section to the west of Freedom Way. This area will include a 5.6-mile walking and running trail network, scenic overlooks with NJ/NY harbor and skyline views, and native tidal and non-tidal wetlands, meadows and urban forest. These diverse and resilient habitats will provide significant ecological benefits and help manage stormwater runoff from surrounding communities. Site preparation work involving vegetation clearing, munitions and explosives of concern investigations, and confirmatory soil testing is currently underway.
LSP-South: the park areas along Morris Pesin Drive and Thomas McGovern Drive to the south, and also between Freedom Way and the Hudson River to the east. Improvements to this area include athletic fields and court-based sports in a future Southern Athletics Hub, which will be detailed in the developing master plan that will serve as a roadmap for short- and long-term parkwide improvements. The master plan will ensure connectivity with the LSP-Interior project. Refined concepts in the areas of ecology, programming and access were presented along with a rendering of a concept for the Southern Athletics Hub.
“This fourth open house for the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program provides an important opportunity for the public to see the park in its entirety, as represented by the focus on the north, interior and south,” said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “This progress, to ensure connectivity and a diversity of new amenities, has been made possible thanks to the overwhelming support and feedback we’ve received, both in-person and online, throughout the revitalization program.”
“Events like today’s open house ensure that the enhancements we are making to Liberty State Park meet the diverse needs of both the Jersey City host communities and park visitors throughout New Jersey, across the country and around the world,” said Maggie McCann, Administrator for Urban State Parks & Initiatives. “Liberty State Park is a destination for all, offering urban green space for recreation and reflection, opportunities for education about our natural resources and the preservation of history that will enrich future generations.”
Pilot Shuttle Program Conclusion
In response to public feedback, on Friday, July 19, the DEP launched a free, shuttle service to improve connectivity to light rail transit and access to amenities spread throughout Liberty State Park. After a nearly three-month pilot period, the shuttle service will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Seven stops were included in the shuttle route, including the Liberty Science Center and the Liberty State Park Light Rail Station. The shuttle service operated on Saturdays, Sundays, and select holidays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with additional service during special events.
Park visitors who utilized the shuttle during the pilot period are asked to participate in an online survey which will inform decisions on future shuttle services at Liberty State Park. The survey was also available in person aboard the shuttle on its final weekend, and will be available online through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.
Revitalization Program Background and Forthcoming Public Engagement
The Liberty State Park Revitalization Program will bring more than 100 acres of active recreational, arts, and cultural improvements to Liberty State Park’s perimeter 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.
In May of 2023, Commissioner LaTourette advanced the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program with an initial open house event showcasing plans for LSP-Interior. Later in October, the DEP broke ground and began the cleanup and restoration of the long fenced-off interior area of the park and hosted a second open house showcasing initial concepts for LSP-North. In May of 2024, a third open house focused on LSP-South.
Detailed information about each of the revitalization phases is included on DEP’s Liberty State Park Revitalization Program microsite.
The advisory Liberty State Park Design Task Force established by the Legislature in the passing of P.L. 2022, c. 45, met four times between November 2023 and May 2024. The Task Force advised DEP regarding design alternatives for potential public active recreation, arts, and cultural amenities in LSP-North, and elements for the development of a master plan for potential improvements of park facilities, programs and amenities in LSP-South.
The next open house event for the revitalization program is slated for early 2025 where final design plans and renderings for LSP-North will be presented.
For more information and updates on the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program, visit dep.nj.gov/revitalizelsp/