Revitalization History – Liberty State Park Revitalization Program

[vc_row full_width=”stretch_row_content_no_spaces”][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”1895″ img_size=”full” css=””][vc_raw_html css=””]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJjYXJvdXNlbC1jYXB0aW9uJTIwZC1tZC1ibG9jayUyMGQtc20tYmxvY2slMjIlM0UlMEElMDklM0NoMSUzRVJldml0YWxpemF0aW9uJTIwSGlzdG9yeSUyMCUzQyUyRmgxJTNFJTBBJTNDJTJGZGl2JTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][breadcrumb-shortcode][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]Since Liberty State Park’s opening in 1976 as New Jersey’s bicentennial “gift to the nation,” the park has been in a constant state of development and revitalization – transforming areas from an abandoned rail yard and illegal dumping ground into cherished parkland.

The Murphy Administration has done more to advance Liberty State Park’s revitalization with the public interest at the center of the process then has occurred in the modern era, formally launching the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program to explore ways the park can better meet the needs of New Jersey residents and the millions of visitors from across the globe.

Public engagement began in 2020 through a series of virtual meetings focused on the cleanup of the park’s interior and has since expanded to include in person and online engagement opportunities – including five large scale open house-style events which allowed the public to view plans up close and ask questions to the team developing the plans.

In August 2021, DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette issued DEP Administrative Order 2021-18 establishing the advisory Liberty State Park Design Task Force comprised of 17 unpaid, volunteer members asked to advise DEP on iterative park planning and design decisions and, most importantly, to support DEP in operationalizing public feedback to ensure that park improvement decisions were responsive to and likely to meet the diverse needs of the public. In July 2022, the Legislature passed P.L. 2022, c. 45, which acknowledged the existing advisory Task Force established by DEP and expanded its membership. The legislation retained the original 17 Task Force members and provided for 6 additional members, with the Governor, Senate President, and Assembly Speaker each making two appointments.

Results from public input have been clear in relaying that Liberty State Park should remain a space which accommodates the needs of all New Jerseyans in the most densely populated county in the most densely populated state in the nation.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion active_section=”h” collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Revitalization Timeline” tab_id=”1737140086692-80cf11ed-5d3f”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]

FALL 2023

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Initial groundbreaking of site preparation including vegetation clearing

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Develop initial concepts and renderings

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Select consultant to develop master plan

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Open House hosted on Oct. 18 and Design Task Force on Nov. 28

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WINTER 2023-2024

Site preparation including vegetation clearing and 90% design milestone

Continue refinement of conceptual design based on engagement feedback

Continue development of master plan based on engagement feedback

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Design Task Force meeting including public comment session hosted on March 2

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SPRING 2024

Site preparation and supplemental remediation investigation including ground scans for munitions & explosives of concern

Continue refinement of conceptual design based on engagement feedback

Continue development of master plan based on engagement feedback

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Design Task Force meetings and public comment sessions hosted on April 9 and May 21.

Open House hosted on May 11.

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SUMMER 2024

Site preparation and supplemental remediation investigations including intrusive work to identify munitions & explosives of concern

Select consultant; design of priority areas including Central Railroad Terminal Train Shed, the north cove and the Grove of Remembrance.

Continue development of master plan, including refinement of athletic hub conceptual design based on engagement feedback.

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Shuttle Pilot Program launches July 19, including onboard ridership and online surveys.

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FALL 2024

Site preparation and supplemental remediation investigations including confirmatory soil testing

Finalize conceptual design and continue site investigation of priority areas.

Continue development of master plan, including a phased development strategy.

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Host Open House on Sept. 28.

Shuttle Pilot Program ends service Sept. 29.

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WINTER 2024 – 2025

Site preparation and supplemental remediation investigation including Geoprobe sampling, data analysis and design updates

Continue detailed design of priority areas.

Continue development of master plan.

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Open House hosted on Jan. 25.

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SPRING 2025

Sitewide construction preparation including comprehensive debris removal

Finalize detailed design of priority areas.

Finalize master plan.

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LSP Design Task Force Advisory Conclusions & Recommendations March 2023

Master Plan Summary 1978

Master Plan Maps 1978

General Management Plan Aug 2001

Circulator CBA 31 May 2013 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css=””]Public Stakeholder Meeting Presentations

Remediation Stakeholder Mtg Dec 21 2020

Active Recreation Stakeholder Mtg Jan 21 2021

Habitat Restoration Stakeholder Mtg Feb 4 2021

Interior Rest and Active Rec Updates Stakeholder Mtg June 3 2021

Design Task Force Mtg Nov 28, 2023

Design Task Force Mtg Mar 2, 2024

Design Task Force Mtg April 9, 2024

Design Task Force Mtg May 21, 2024 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css=””]Public Stakeholder Meeting Recordings

30% Design Concept Oct 20 2020

Remediation Stakeholder Mtg Dec 21 2020

Active Recreation Stakeholder Mtg Jan 21 2021

Habitat Restoration Stakeholder Mtg Feb 4 2021

Interior Restoration and Active Recreation Updates Stakeholder Mtg June 3 2021

Design Task Force Mtg Nov 28, 2023

Design Task Force Mtg Mar 2, 2024

Design Task Force Mtg April 9, 2024

Design Task Force Mtg May 21, 2024 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text css=””]Open House Presentations[/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1742936772049{margin-top: -25px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]January 25, 2025

Station 1 – Welcome

Station 2 – Audrey Zapp Drive Corridor

Station 3 – Morris Pesin Drive Corridor + Waterfront Future Vision [/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1742936819132{margin-top: -25px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]September 28, 2024

Station 1 – Welcome

Station 2 – Liberty State Park North

Station 3 – Liberty State Park South [/vc_column_text][vc_separator css=”.vc_custom_1742936830290{margin-top: -25px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=””]May 11, 2024

May 11, 2024 Open House Boards [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_tta_section][/vc_tta_accordion][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator border_width=”4″ css=””][vc_column_text css=””]

Photo Gallery: Liberty State Park Opening Day – June 14, 1976

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Stay Engaged

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