By Sam Pesin

The landmark Liberty State Park Protection Act would now be law if it wasn’t for the political influence and shameful misinformation campaign of Paul Fireman, the multibillionaire owner of the ultra-exclusive Liberty National Golf Course.

We urge the legislature to pass the reintroduced Act to fully protect Liberty State Park, the inclusive and priceless park behind Lady Liberty for people of all colors, cultural backgrounds and religions to enjoy free outdoor recreation, inspiring views and nature together. Former state Senator Bernie Kenny stated that next to the Gettysburg Battlefield, Liberty State Park is the second most sacred public land in our nation.

It was heartening that Gov. Phil Murphy’s spokesperson Mahen Gunaratna recently said, “the governor believes that Liberty State Park is a New Jersey treasure that belongs to every family. He is a strong supporter of protecting our public lands for the benefit of everyone.”

Fireman’s unconscionable plan to relocate three holes closer to the bay for multimillionaires would privatize and destroy Liberty State Park’s irreplaceable Caven Point, a critical urban habitat and environmental education natural area. His plan, rejected by the DEP in 2018, proves again why the Protection Act is necessary to protect the park once and for all.

Quoting The Star-Ledger’s editorial: “Fireman needs to be reminded of this immutable truth: This park is our state’s backyard, and our backyard is not for sale at any price — especially when these are 21 acres the public would never get back. … given that Caven Point is a premier ecological asset - not only a sanctuary for herons and peregrine falcons, but as a resource for school kids and explorers of all ages - that offer is cringeworthy.”

The multibillionaire threatens that without his quid pro quo land grab, the PGA may limit the number of his tournaments and he won’t build a “First Tee” youth golf academy. However, he can use his own 11-acre vacant land where he wanted a casino resort, or our senators can facilitate his buying the adjacent 27-acre Army Reserve land for his tournament staging/hospitality needs and golf academy. He could also build an academy in the community and bring participants to his or the Hudson County Skyway Golf Course.

Liberty State Park was bought and improved with hundreds of millions of state and federal taxpayer dollars to be a People’s Park in perpetuity. When Gov. Christie Whitman rejected a different golf course plan in 1995, she said her reason was “overwhelming public sentiment.” Currently, “The Coalition to Pass the Liberty State Park Protection Act and Save the Caven Point Natural Area” already has over 65 local, regional, and state organizations signed on.

The Act does not exclude any free uses, activities or programs outside of the park’s natural areas. The public engages in a multitude of unstructured recreation uses, and park advocates and the DEP have never opposed free active recreation uses. The Act allows for park-appropriate small-scale commercial activities such as an ice-skating rink, food concessions, bike rentals, etc.

The multibillionaire ignores that the purpose of the “public good” is to uplift the general public’s quality of life and not to generate revenue. The park already raises $3 million a year from leases and special events, and Corporate Business Tax and NJDEP funds and corporate donations - without a quid pro quo - will continue to enhance the park.

In correcting some of his flagrant misinformation:

Turning a wildlife habitat area into pesticide-laden golf holes is not “turning green to green.”

Liberty State Park is 600 acres of land (514 not counting parking lots, buildings, roads) and 600 acres of water.

There already are dedicated state funds for the interior remediation and restoration plan.

DEP confirmed again that Caven Point needs no further remediation due to its passive recreation uses.

Their canvassers got Jersey City residents to unknowingly sign a deceitful support letter that didn’t mention the golf course or the natural area privatization, failed to provide a website or contact information and lied about Caven Point needing remediation.

We urge legislators to be visionaries on the right side of history and to pass the Protection Act, oppose the multi-billionaire’s privatization assault and therefore leave a legacy for the future by protecting Lady Liberty’s neighboring green park for urban residents and visitors from around our nation and world.

Sam Pesin is president of The Friends of Liberty State Park.

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