TRENTON – The Senate Environment and Energy Committee advanced the “Liberty State Park Protection Act” sponsored by Senator Raj Mukherji and Senator John McKeon. The bill will help preserve much of Liberty State Park, a 1,212-acre park located in Jersey City, famous for its views of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island.

“On Flag Day, June 14th, Liberty State Park will celebrate her 50th birthday. This bill ensures that this crown jewel of the state park system remains free, open, democratic, and protected for the next fifty years and the fifty after that – a living testament to the enduring principle that public parks are held in trust for the people,” said Senator Mukherji (D-Hudson). “As a national treasure and the keeper of this country’s diverse, rich history with markers that have guided generations of citizens and attracted people from all over the world, future generations deserve to have a say in decisions about this space. For a half century, the park has been a repeated target of commercialization or privatization proposals, and it’s time to enshrine protections for Liberty State Park into law.”

“This crucial act would guarantee that the public has a forum to share their thoughts, concerns, and hopes when it comes to changes to one of the most beloved parks in our State,” said Senator McKeon (D-Essex/Passaic). “No significant change to the park should be made in haste and without input from those that are most impacted: its loyal visitors. When changes are made, they should be strictly to protect and improve, as the historic Liberty State Park deserves to be preserved and safeguarded for generations to come.”

The bill, S-2924, would prohibit the Department of Environmental Protection from considering any proposal to commercialize, develop, or privatize Liberty State Park with few exceptions for agreements that truly enhance the experience of a visitor. The DEP would be fully prohibited from conveying, leasing, or otherwise transferring any property rights within the interior of Liberty State Park or at Caven Point Peninsula.

The bill additionally directs the DEP to develop and implement a public participation process for public citizens and civic organizations to provide their input on any proposed changes to Liberty State Park. A public forum would be held twice a year to field public comment concerning plans, improvements, preservation, conservation, and management of the park.