DEP Schedules Public Meeting on Future Development of Liberty State Park

The state Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Parks and Forestry is hosting a public meeting at Liberty State Park on Saturday, August 25, to present a proposed plan for the future use of 251 acres of undeveloped land in the park's interior.

While most of the area will be accessible by trails and remain undeveloped, there are several alternatives for the perimeter of the site. The DEP is seeking public comment on the proposed management plan. The public meeting will be at the Central Railroad Terminal from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is free.

The Liberty State Park Interdisciplinary Planning Committee developed the proposed management plan. A prior proposal with several alternatives was the subject of a public meeting on January 25, 2001. After careful consideration of comments received at the January meeting, the committee drafted this plan for the site of the former railroad yard. It calls for the protection, restoration and enhancement of environmentally critical areas, and development of non-commercial, recreational open space around the perimeter.

The committee, organized by the Division of Parks and Forestry, is comprised of representatives and leaders from a number of organizations and the surrounding community. Members of the committee include representatives from the Friends of Liberty State Park, the city of Jersey City; the county of Hudson, the Liberty State Park Development Corporation, the Liberty State Park Conservancy, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, New Jersey Audubon, the Hudson/Passaic Soil Conservation District and the Division of Parks and Forestry.

The committee's final proposal will be presented to DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn for adoption.

To reach the railroad terminal at Liberty State Park, take exit 14B off the New Jersey Turnpike, and follow the signs to the park and then to the railroad terminal. Parking is free. For more information, call the Division of Parks and Forestry at 609-984-0610.

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Related Links

• NJDEP Division of Parks & Forestry
  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry/parknj/divhome.htm
  
  
• Liberty State Park Information
  http://www.state.nj.us/dep/forestry/parks/liberty.htm