It's Time To Protect The People's Park! Pass The Liberty State Park Protection Act!

Stop the Privatization of the Gateway to America 

By Jeff Tittel

We are just months away from the 50th Anniversary of Liberty State Park — the People’s Park. Instead of celebrating this historic milestone, we once again find ourselves fighting battle after battle to protect it from privatization, commercialization, and backroom deals.

That is why the Legislature must pass S2924, the Liberty State Park Protection Act.

This bill would establish a Liberty State Park Advisory Committee and create clear requirements for DEP actions related to the park, finally putting safeguards in place to ensure transparency, public input, and real protection for one of the most important public spaces in the nation.

Liberty State Park is the Gateway to America, in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It represents our history, our values, and the democratic ideal that public land belongs to the people. Yet for decades the park has been under constant attack — with attempts to put it under the Sports Authority, privatize it, commercialize it, and even industrialize it.

We have seen proposals for golf course expansions, luxury yacht warehouses, cricket stadiums, water parks, hotels and resorts, shopping centers, amphitheaters, Formula One races, marinas, and other schemes that would have turned the People’s Park into a playground for the wealthy.

This land was bought by the people, to be used by the people, and is held in trust for the people. The government’s job is to protect that trust — not to cut deals for millionaires, billionaires, developers, or corporate interests.

More than any other park in New Jersey, Liberty State Park represents the idea that a park is for everyone — no matter who you are, where you live, your race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or income. Families picnic there. Kids play ball. People bike, fish, birdwatch, walk the waterfront, and enjoy nature with the Statue of Liberty in view. It shows what America looks like when public land truly belongs to the public.

This is not about opposing all improvements. It is about making sure any changes enhance the park experience, are compatible with its purpose, and remain open and affordable to the public. Amenities should complement the park — not take it over.

Liberty State Park was created as New Jersey’s Bicentennial gift to the nation and is protected by Green Acres funding and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, both of which require the land to be used for public outdoor recreation and conservation. You do not privatize or industrialize land that belongs to the people of New Jersey and the nation.

New Jersey has always stood behind the Statue of Liberty, yet time after time the state has tried to stab her in the back with one privatization scheme after another.

As I have said before:

“The Statue of Liberty doesn’t say, ‘Give us your tired, your poor, and your millionaires’ yachts or golfers.’”

Once parkland is lost, it is lost forever. These deals undermine the public trust, violate the spirit — if not the letter — of conservation law, and set a dangerous precedent that no parkland is safe if the price is right.

The people have fought back before, are fighting now, and are even in court to stop the latest proposal — a warehouse for luxury yachts. The Governor should cancel the lease, and if the developer wants to sue, let them sue. This is a fight worth having, and it shows exactly why we need S2924.

Liberty State Park is our Yellowstone. Our Yosemite. A priceless national treasure that belongs to the people — not to billionaires, not to developers, and not to special interests.

With the 50th Anniversary of Liberty State Park approaching, the best way to honor its history would be for the Governor to sign the Liberty State Park Protection Act at the celebration.

Protect the People’s Park.

Pass S2924.

Jeff Tittel

Environmental and Political Activist

Recipient, Friends of Liberty State Park Audrey Zapp Lifetime Achievement Award

Former Director, New Jersey Sierra Club

Addendum — Major Attempts to Privatize or Commercialize Liberty State Park

• Billionaire-Backed Stadium Proposals (2022–Present)

Plans promoted by the People’s Park Foundation included stadiums, a commercial concert venue, Olympic-size pool complex, and professional hockey rink backed by billionaire interests.

• Luxury Yacht Storage Warehouse (2025–2026)

NJDEP and the State House Commission approved a 60-year lease with Suntex Marina Investors for a 75-foot-high warehouse for hundreds of luxury yachts on parkland. The deal is on hold and under court challenge.

• Caven Point Golf Course Expansion (2018–2023)

Liberty National Golf Course sought to lease 22 acres of the Caven Point Natural Area, threatening critical migratory bird habitat.

• Formula One Racetrack Proposals (Multiple Years)

Several attempts were made over the decades to build a racetrack in the park, all stopped by public opposition.

• Water Parks / Theme Park Proposals (1977–2010s)

Ideas included amusement parks, water parks, and a “Disneyland of New Jersey” concept that would have overwhelmed the park.

• “Sustainable Parks” Privatization Plan (2015)

State recommendations suggested hotels, conference centers, and commercial venues to make parks pay for themselves.

• Large Amphitheater Proposals (1986, 2001)

Plans for a 25,000-seat concert venue that would have limited public access and created massive congestion.

• Private Marina Expansions (2018)

Proposals for additional private marina facilities that would have reduced public access to the waterfront.

• Shopping Mall / Luxury Development Concepts (Early Plans)

Early proposals included condos, retail, and commercial waterfront development.

• Sports Complex / Stadium / Golf Concepts (Various Years)

Repeated attempts to turn the park into a commercial sports and entertainment complex.