It’s a sad day when legislation is needed to keep a public park a public park, but these are the times we live in.

So, we’re grateful to state Assemblyman Raj Mukherji and Sen. Sandra Cunningham of Jersey City for introducing bills in Trenton to protect Liberty State Park from the kind of privatization schemes that have been proposed – and have nearly come to fruition – in recent years.

Liberty State Park is pretty much perfect as it is, so much so that it’s hard to fathom why any state official would ever entertain proposals that would essentially sell off parts of it.

It is spacious with lawns, nature paths and the waterfront walkway facing New York Harbor and Manhattan. It is ripe with history, sitting on former railyards that were the economic engines of our past and marking the spot of the World War I-era Black Tom munitions blast.

It is lovingly and expertly tended by volunteers who appreciate the value of the vast oasis in our urban landscape. It is home to an abundance of wildlife, from birds to horseshoe crabs.

And, of course, it sits alongside the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, just a ferry ride away.

If enacted, the legislation would significantly limit the state Department of Environmental Protection’s ability to develop in the park and would create an advisory committee to aid in future decisions.

“Most parks don’t require this type of extra protection, but it has proved truly necessary at Liberty State Park,’’ New York and New Jersey Baykeeper Greg Remaud told The Jersey Journal.

While prohibiting the DEP from considering any proposal that would commercialize, develop or privatize the park, it would allow the consideration of small-scale commercial activities that could enhance visitors’ experiences at the park. We would most like to see a small food concession open again, something missing since at least Hurricane Sandy swamped much of the park.

Importantly, the legislation has the support of Friends of Liberty State Park President Sam Pesin, who carries on the vision of his late father, Morris, whose persistence led to the park being created in 1976.

We strongly advise the full Assembly and Senate to get behind this legislation; then Gov. Murphy must pen it into being. After that, we’ll be on the lookout for the makeup of the advisory committee to ensure its members support the values of a beautiful, free, passive recreation park in the heart of Hudson County.

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