Dear Editor: Being in Liberty State Park on July 4 was a truly uplifting American experience enjoying fireworks and music near the state’s largest playground and seeing people of all cultural backgrounds, colors, ages, and religions using the park together within view of the Statue of Liberty.
I bet Lady Liberty herself would have liked to briefly put down her torch and spread out a picnic blanket in this free and green park, where we all can breathe free.
The park is especially refreshing in the new positive era after Governor James McGreevey’s abolition of the park’s 17 year old private Development Corp., which wasted years of the public’s time with their ludicrous and harmful plans. As a wise senior citizen recently wrote about them, “They who ignored the will of the many, are now reduced to not any !”
I’m delighted that, in addition to the Light Rail, there is now available a new reliable mass transit option for escaping to our waterfront haven. Coach USA Bus Route 11 starts at Journal Square on Platform D 2, goes down Montgomery St., stops at the Grove St. PATH taxi stand, and then to the Park’s Light Rail Park and Ride, where riders can get on the frequent park shuttle bus. For bus info, please call 201- 876-9000.
One special summer feature is the terrific Jersey City free Summerfest concerts at the CRRNJ Terminal (rain or shine) on Sundays from 5 to 7 pm and Tuesdays from 7 to 9 pm. Summerfest is the longest running concert series in New Jersey. For schedule info, please call 201-547-4326 or – 4325, or come to the park’s office. People should bring lawn chairs.
The Friends have just funded several thousand dollars of flowers and trees, and will continue to advocate for the park’s future. If volunteers want to help take care of the park’s plant life in the summer or do planting in the fall, please call 201-915-3403 and leave a message for Maria, the horticulturist.
The park staff and Friends have started a “Keep Liberty Clean” campaign, and ask that the public please use the trash cans in our breezy, beautiful park.
If you have any suggestions for the park, please call the park Sup’t. Steve or Sup’t. Josh at 201-915-3403.
Come out to enjoy our great urban state park.
Sincerely,
Sam Pesin, pres.
Friends of Liberty State Park