Jersey City resident Will Krouslis took his girlfriend Charlotte Wandell at Liberty State Park (LSP) last Thursday. Wandell was visiting from Connecticut, and she wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. The panoramic views of Manhattan were clear, despite some cloudiness. This was Wandell’s first visit to the park.
Krouslis, a 24-year-old financial analyst originally from Washington Township, said he wanted to have a picnic at the park and go to the top of the Statue.
"I’ve been living in Jersey City for a year now and I like coming to the park," he said. "It’s peaceful and the view is amazing."
With the Manhattan skyline, the Statue, Liberty Science Center and Ellis Island as a spectacular backdrop to this urban park, LSP is a fascinating public space. The park hosts more than 4 million visitors a year from around the world, according to park officials. They come for the landmarks and the major festivals held throughout the year.
The park is also home to both estuarine and upland habitats. In the winter, long-eared owls are often seen near the interpretive center.
LSP was not always an open-space haven for tourists. It was once an urban industrial area, according to park Superintendent Stephen Ellis. It was used as a train terminal, a primary port for immigrants, and a main transportation center connecting New Jersey and New York.
Through the use of state funds and national land and water conservation funds, the acquisition of land for LSP began with Jersey City donating the first 156 acres. The Department of Environmental Protection with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began a major harbor cleanup effort from the ’60s through the ’90s. New Jersey’s Division of Parks and Forestry spent the past 25 years planning and building a park infrastructure and a remediation site for public use, according to Ellis.
The 88-acre "green" section was completed in 1999. It is comprised of crescent lawns, trails, landscaping improvements and a four-mile walkway.
Today, the entrance of the park is lined with 50 state flags in order of each state’s induction into the Union. And there is a circle of 13 U.S. flags from the Revolutionary era representing the original colonies.
"This park represents our freedom," said Krouslis before taking the ferry to see the Statue.
The park is accessible by taking Exit 14C on the Turnpike. For information call (201) 915-3400 or visit www.libertystatepark.com.
The Current will be visiting a different Hudson County park each week throughout the summer. Do you have a favorite park in Hudson County? Let us know by writing to current@hudsonreporter.com. – E. Mulero