Liberty State Park opened on June 14, 1976. Exactly 25 years later, developers and supporters of the park gathered in it Thursday to celebrate its birthday on South Overlook Lawn.
In 1957, Morris Pesin, a local businessman, thought of the idea for the park when he attempted to take his family to visit the Statue of Liberty and had to labor through a long trip through New York. He decided to prove there was a better way by taking a canoe from what is now Liberty State Park, to the statue. The trip only took eight minutes, giving Pesin the confidence to propose a causeway between the two pieces of land. Later, his idea would take form.
At the celebration on Thursday, the key people involved with the park remembered the late Morris Pesin and honored his family, who was present at the event. His son, Sam Pesin, president of the Friends of the Liberty State Park, spoke about his father and the development of the park over the past 25 years. Morris Pesin’s daughter Judy and wife Ethel received proclamations and much praise from elected officials. Saint Dominic’s Academy Glee Club provided the entertainment for the event.
Other speakers included Park Superintendent Steve Ellis, Parks Director Greg Marshall, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert C. Shinn Jr., Kay LiCausi representing Congressman Robert Menendez, State Senator Bernard Kenny, Hudson County Executive Robert Janiszewski, Jerry McCabe, an engineer for the park, and President of the Park’s Conservancy Greg Remaud.
Remaud said that the original vision for the park began to fragment as soon as it was proposed. Many battles over how to utilize the land, including proposals for a golf course and a water park, were fought to insure that the park stayed vast and open.
“A new era of cooperation has come out of these battles,” Remaud said as he discussed the view that the park should stay as it is.
Recently, the park has hosted circuses and concerts. It can be accessed via the Light Rail train.
“Liberty State Park brings people together and inspires reflection on our country and our own lives,” said Sam Pesin, beaming. “We can call this park a land of hopes and dreams.”