(12/P55) TRENTON - The prestigious Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will be moving to Liberty State Park in Jersey City this June, bringing the sport’s top stars to a stylish sporting and social event that will feature inspiring backdrops of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline.

The fifth annual event, a draw for a host of celebrity participants and guests, will be held rain or shine on June 2 in the “green ring’’ at Liberty State Park. It is expected to draw more than 5,000 spectators who will get to watch Nacho Figueras and his Black Watch team as they compete against some of the world’s best polo players. 

“This event will showcase Liberty State Park, with its spectacular views and ideal location, as a fitting destination for all types of major events,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. “It’s part of our effort to make this park more of a destination for New Jersey residents and persons from other states to come here and visit Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, New Jersey’s 9/11 Memorial, the Liberty Science Center, or just take in the incredible views of New York’s skyline and enjoy our park.’’

The Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic has been held at Governors Island in New York since 2008, but a construction project on that island’s playing field required Veuve Clicquot to find a new venue close to Manhattan this year. The search for an alternate location, which included sites throughout the greater New York area, led the event’s organizers across the Hudson River to New Jersey. 

“With views of the New York City skyline, the iconic Statue of Liberty and historic Ellis Island, Liberty State Park truly reflects the spirit of the event,” said Vanessa Kay, President of Veuve Clicquot U.S. “We are thrilled to have found the ideal location to host the fifth-annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic.’’

Tickets for the event will include ferry transportation to and from Manhattan to Liberty State Park, or shuttle service from the 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 for the event.

The event will benefit a charity to be announced in the coming weeks by Veuve Clicquot, and will include a donation to the nonprofit Friends of Liberty State Park. Veuve Clicquot also will pay a user fee to the state and will upgrade the green ring field, giving the state an upgraded site for future use.  

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, especially during tough economic times. 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. Currently, the park is home to two travelling exhibits: Alcatraz: Life on the Rock and Gateway to Gold Mountain, The Asian Immigration Experience: Angel Island 1910-1940, which are on display for free through June 30.

“We want to give visitors to Liberty State Park a variety of interesting and entertaining opportunities that will draw them to this spectacular site,’’ said Lou Valente, Chief Project Advisor for the Division of Natural and Historic Resources.

Since taking office, Governor Christie has taken strategic efforts to ensure New Jersey continues to be a leading destination for sports and entertainment events. In addition to the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, the Garden State is welcoming the Ironman Triathalon in 2012, the 2014 Special Olympics National Games and Superbowl XLVIII.

Liberty State Park consists of 1,212 acres with wildlife habitats, open water, fields, nature trails, bike paths, picnic tables and a two-mile waterfront walkway along the Hudson River - known as Liberty Walk.  It is the most visited State park with 5.2 million visitors last year.
 
The history of the park and region can be found at the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CRRNJ) Terminal. Ferry service operation to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island departs from the CRRNJ Terminal. Liberty Science Center offers a variety of interactive exhibits focusing on invention, health and environment.

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/