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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 30, 2013

Contact: Lawrence Ragonese (609) 292-2994
Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
Bob Considine (609) 984-1795

CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES RETURN OF
VEUVE CLICQUOT POLO CLASSIC TO LIBERTY STATE PARK

INTERNATIONAL EVENT TO BENEFIT FULL RESTORATION OF SANDY BATTERED STATE PARK

(13/P43) TRENTON – The prestigious Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will return to Liberty State Park in Jersey City on June 1, bringing the sport’s top stars to a star-studded and stylish sporting and social event with the spectacular backdrop of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline.

The sixth annual Polo Classic, a draw for celebrity participants and guests, will be held rain or shine on June 1 in the “green ring’’ at Liberty State Park. It is expected to draw more than 6,000 spectators who will watch Nacho Figueras and his Black Watch team as they compete against some of the world’s best polo players on Team Nespresso. 

Veuve Clicquot said this year’s event is being held in support of Liberty State Park, which sustained significant damage from a tidal surge during Superstorm Sandy. Veuve Clicquot is re-planting and landscaping a large green area of the park where the polo match will be held and will make a donation to financially aid in the restoration of the other parts of the park.

“This event at Liberty State Park is a prime example of Governor Christie’s commitment to rebuilding our state after Sandy and to have our parks, natural areas and the Shore areas open for business during the upcoming summer tourism season,’’ said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. “We welcome Veuve Clicquot to Liberty State Park and thank them for being a partner in helping us to showcase this recovery effort.’’

“We’ve been working especially hard to repair and reopen this treasured park, which is the most visited state park in New Jersey. We know how important this park is to state residents and to the nation, as the gateway to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,’’ added Commissioner Martin.
 
“We are thrilled to bring the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic back for a sixth year, and we are honored that this event will benefit the reconstruction of Liberty State Park, a place beloved by so many,’’ said Vanessa Kay, President of Veuve Clicquot U.S. “We’re proud that the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic is an event that people of and around New York City and New Jersey look forward to attending each year and has become a staple of the social season. We hope look forward to enjoying polo at Liberty State Park for many years to come.’’

In addition to a donation to the DEP for use in park restoration, Veuve Clicquot will pay a user fee to the state, pay for State Park Police coverage at the event and upgrade the green ring field.  
Guests to the event can celebrate the beginning of summer by watching the polo exhibition match, sipping Veuve Clicquot at several champagne bars, and enjoying cuisine from some iconic New York City food trucks.

Tickets for the age 21 and over event, available at www.vcpoloclassic.com, include ferry transportation to and from Manhattan to Liberty State Park, or shuttle service from Liberty State Park Station on NJ Transit’s Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line. All guests must arrive via ferry or Light Rail as no parking will be provided onsite. All guests must have pre-purchased tickets.

Liberty State Park will remain open during this event. All areas outside of the polo grounds will be available to the public, as usual.

In November 2011, Governor Chris Christie announced the state’s Sustainable Parks Plan designed to keep all 39 of New Jersey’s state parks open, to provide affordable recreation to state residents. Components of the plan, which the Governor announced at Liberty State Park, include enhancing and expanding park programs, facilities and amenities to generate more visitors and revenues that can make the parks more financially self-sustaining.

Bringing a variety of events and attractions, like the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, to Liberty State Park is part of the DEP’s overall strategy.

Since taking office, Governor Christie has made strategic efforts to ensure New Jersey continues to be a leading destination for sports and entertainment events. The 2014 Special Olympics National Games and the upcoming Superbowl XLVIII will be held in New Jersey.

Liberty State Park consists of 1,200 acres, with wildlife habitats, open water, fields, nature trails, bike paths, picnic areas and the two-mile Hudson River walkway, known as Liberty Walk. It is the most visited state park with 5.2 million visitors last year.

For the past six months, Liberty staff and teams of state parks employees have made repairs and cleared away vast amounts of debris caused by Sandy. As a result, most of the park is now open.

However, the iconic Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building, the launch point into America for millions of immigrants, sustained serious water damage. An assessment is still being done to determine how to repair and restore that structure and to repair the bulkhead along the Hudson River at the damaged ferry slip in front of the Terminal Building.

For more information on Liberty State Park visit: http://www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/liberty.html

For more information and tickets for the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, visit: http://www.vcpoloclassic.com/

MEDIA: For additional event information, b-roll and/or still images of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic or to arrange an interview with participating Veuve Clicquot representatives or Nacho Figueras, please go to www.vcpoloclassic.comor contact clicquot@laforce-stevens.com. For background on Liberty State Park, please contact the DEP Press Office at numbers listed above.

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Last Updated: April 22, 2013