{"id":11139,"date":"2025-01-27T08:35:59","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T13:35:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/?p=11139"},"modified":"2025-02-11T11:55:23","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T16:55:23","slug":"25_0005","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/25_0005\/","title":{"rendered":"DEP Presents Projects for Liberty State Park at Revitalization Program Open House Ahead of Groundbreaking (25\/P005)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<strong>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<\/strong><br \/>\nJanuary 25, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>Contact: <\/strong>Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795<br \/>\nLawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795<br \/>\nCaryn Shinske (609) 984-1795<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>DEP PRESENTS PROJECTS FOR LIBERTY STATE PARK AT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE AHEAD OF GROUNDBREAKING<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>(25\/P05) TRENTON \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Continuing years of public engagement, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today hosted its fifth open house to advance the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program. The event focused on the park\u2019s forthcoming Holistic Long-term Master Plan and provided another opportunity for the public to give in-person feedback prior to the groundbreaking of initial projects along the Audrey Zapp Drive Corridor.<\/p>\n<p>The open house was held at the Liberty Science Center, where attendees interacted with multiple stations that displayed information about the revitalization program\u2019s three concurrent projects: development of the park\u2019s Holistic Long-term Master Plan, immediate improvements along the Audrey Zapp Drive Corridor and the cleanup and restoration of the park\u2019s long fenced-off interior located to the west of Freedom Way. New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette provided <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SqDRHePplXg\">opening remarks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11141 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/25_0005_001-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"DEP Presents Three Projects for Liberty State Park at Revitalization Program Open House Ahead of Groundbreaking\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/2025\/25_0005_001-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/2025\/25_0005_001-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/2025\/25_0005_001-400x400.jpg 400w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/2025\/25_0005_001.jpg 529w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\u201cLiberty State Park embodies the spirit of New Jersey \u2013 rich in history, vibrant in culture and forward-thinking in its vision,\u201d <strong>said Commissioner LaTourette<\/strong>. \u201cThrough years of collaboration and public engagement, the revitalization of this iconic park reflects the voices and needs of our communities and creates a space that honors the park\u2019s history and future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Those who were unable to attend the open house can <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/revitalizelsp\/comment\/\"><strong>view the materials<\/strong><\/a><strong> and <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/revitalizelsp\/comment\/\"><strong>provide feedback<\/strong><\/a><strong> online. Comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Holistic Long-term Master Plan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The park\u2019s Holistic Long-term Master Plan, slated to be released this year, will outline future project concepts for the next 10 years and beyond. <strong>A <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1LqbdQSXZRU\"><strong>video<\/strong><\/a><strong> was produced to showcase artistic images of the proposed design concepts. The Master Plan includes: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Creation of the Morris Pesin Drive Gateway: <\/strong>Constructing a welcoming entrance at the south end of the park featuring an entry plaza with seating, wayfinding information and a shuttle stop. Upgrades are also proposed to Morris Pesin Drive itself, including the addition of a dedicated bike lane.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Transformation of the park\u2019s southern jetties:<\/strong> Making the area into a gathering and recreation space incorporating a flexible lawn, a fishing pier, a splash pad, a kayak launch and nature-based enhancements, including a living shoreline, and marine mammal and migratory bird habitat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improvements to the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway:<\/strong> Adding upgraded seating, landscaping with native plants and the addition of scenic overlooks to enhance the waterfront experience.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Enhancements within the Richard J. Sullivan Natural Area:<\/strong> Adding outdoor classroom space, observation platforms, educational signage and trail upgrades.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Development of the Southern Athletics Hub:<\/strong> Constructing multi-use athletic fields, along with a variety of courts where planned sporting events can take place.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11142 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/25_0005_002-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"DEP Presents Three Projects for Liberty State Park at Revitalization Program Open House Ahead of Groundbreaking\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/25_0005_002-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/25_0005_002-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/25_0005_002.jpg 825w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/li>\n<li><strong>Other enhancements: <\/strong>Opportunities for community and special events, and vehicle and pedestrian circulation recommendations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To enhance the visitor experience, select elements of the Master Plan are currently being implemented, such as the upgrading of park wayfinding information and interpretive signage. Additionally, the park\u2019s free, pilot Shuttle Program is anticipated to launch for its second year in late spring.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis work at Liberty State Park is rooted in a shared vision that honors the park\u2019s natural beauty, resources and historic significance, and also looks to the future and evolves to meet the demands of Jersey City, Hudson County and the state\u2019s growing and diverse communities,\u201d <strong>said John Cecil, Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests &amp; Historic Sites<\/strong>. \u201cThe long-term master plan is a critical document that will guide park development for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Audrey Zapp Drive Corridor <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A suite of projects at the north end of the park along the Audrey Zapp Drive Corridor is anticipated to break ground this year. <strong>A <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1FnLt-ToJ8s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>video<\/strong><\/a><strong> was produced to showcase artistic images of the proposed design concepts. Those concepts include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Creation of the Audrey Zapp Drive Gateway: <\/strong>The corner of Johnston and Jersey avenues will be transformed into a welcoming entrance to the north end of Liberty State Park expected to feature parking, wayfinding information, restrooms, seating and a shuttle stop.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Development of the Marina Green: <\/strong>The lawn space between Audrey Zapp Drive and the Liberty Landing Marina will become a gathering space known as the Marina Green, complete with multiuse athletic fields, a picnic area and play features.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Improvements to the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Plaza: <\/strong>The existing plaza at the end of Audrey Zapp Drive, which connects the Empty Sky Memorial and the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building with the Hudson River Waterfront Walkway, will undergo a renovation, improving accessibility and creating a more welcoming space for visitors. The project will also include the transformation of Parking Lot #9 into a dedicated lot for buses and visitor drop-off.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Restoration of the historic Train Shed:<\/strong> Initial restoration work will focus on the east side of the shed that connects with the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal building. Restoration work of the train shed will take place in phases over time, with the first phase creating gathering space with seating and future interpretive programming. The remainder of the train shed that is not included in the first phase will be structurally reinforced.<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-11143 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/32\/2025\/25_0005_003-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"DEP Presents Three Projects for Liberty State Park at Revitalization Program Open House Ahead of Groundbreaking\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/2025\/25_0005_003-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/2025\/25_0005_003-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/newsrel\/2025\/25_0005_003.jpg 869w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These improvements will complement <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=wwYHzepAObk&amp;t=10s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ongoing work<\/a> at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal to restore over 300 windows and the brick on the building\u2019s exterior.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGroundbreaking of the initial projects along the Audrey Zapp Drive Corridor is an exciting step for both the revitalization program and the future of Liberty State Park,\u201d <strong>said Maggie McCann, Administrator for Urban State Parks &amp; Initiatives<\/strong>. \u201cRestoration of the park\u2019s historic train shed is of particular significance as it will allow the public to once again experience this magnificent space, which previously hosted thousands of people each day, whether they were commuting to work or beginning their immigration journey to America.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Interior Cleanup and Restoration <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A multitude of work continues in the park\u2019s interior that has long been fenced-off due to historic industrial contamination. Since breaking ground in October 2023, work has consisted of land clearing, ground scans to identify unknown buried objects of concern, and soil testing. The results of this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=XIkOKgaOkxg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ongoing site preparation work<\/a> will create a roadmap for the project\u2019s next steps.<\/p>\n<p>Once complete, the interior will feature nature-based features serving critical climate resilience functions, urban forests, scenic overlooks, a 5.6-mile trail network and active recreation amenities within the Southern Athletics Hub.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Liberty State Park Revitalization Program Background<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Since Liberty State Park\u2019s opening in 1976 as New Jersey\u2019s bicentennial \u201cgift to the nation,\u201d the park has been in a constant state of development and revitalization \u2013 transforming the area from an abandoned rail yard and illegal dumping ground into cherished parkland.<\/p>\n<p>The Murphy Administration has remained fully committed to advancing the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program with public interest at the center of its process. Beginning in 2020, the DEP has held a series of virtual meetings on the cleanup of the park\u2019s interior and hosted four large-scale open house events to give the public an opportunity to view plans up close, meet the revitalization program team and ask questions.<\/p>\n<p>For more information and updates on the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/revitalizelsp\/\">dep.nj.gov\/revitalizelsp<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">###<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 25, 2025[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Contact: Vincent Grassi (609) 984-1795 Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795 Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795 [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] DEP PRESENTS PROJECTS FOR LIBERTY STATE PARK AT REVITALIZATION PROGRAM OPEN HOUSE AHEAD OF GROUNDBREAKING (25\/P05) TRENTON \u2013\u00a0Continuing years of public engagement, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":11141,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"dep-single.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[193],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11139","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-193"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11139","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/113"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11139"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11139\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11173,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11139\/revisions\/11173"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11139"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11139"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deptest.nj.gov\/newsrel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11139"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}