NEW YORK (WCBS 880) – A new bill is looking to keep one of New Jersey’s most popular parks free from development.
Plans to develop Liberty State Park began almost immediately after it opened in 1976.
“When the park was one year old, the governor wanted to take the whole park for an amusement theme park. Then there were plans for shopping and luxury housing,” said Sam Pesin, president of Friends of Liberty State Park.
Pesin says there have plans to put a hotel, a golf course and a marina for expensive yachts at the location.
“It’s a priceless and sacred park because it is behind the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island,” Pesin said.
And now there’s state legislation recognizing that and looking to put an end to these development fights. It would prohibit any large scale development in the park.
“To ensure that the park forever will serve the public good and not private profit,” Pesin said.
Only park-appropriate businesses would be allowed, like concessions and bike rentals.
“Future generations really deserve this great American open space,” Pensin said.