Hudson County Freeholder Walker: Jersey City Council Has Acted, Now Legislature Must Go A Step Further And Amend LSP Protection Act Or Pass A New Bill

JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Liberty State Park For All Coalition released the following statement today on behalf of Hudson County Freeholder Jerry Walker regarding the Jersey City Council calling for changes to the “Liberty State Park Protection Act” that reflect having the community’s minority voices heard:

“I commend the Jersey City Council for acknowledging these long overdue changes that are needed at Liberty State Park. I also want to praise the community members who spoke up to ensure these changes happened. Everyone agrees on the importance of protecting the Park, but what has been lacking is a discussion about how to make the Park work better for our minority communities. The council took a vital step towards ensuring that conversation happens. By noting the need for more recreational activities and for more community representation, they have given a voice at long last to those who had not been heard on the park. I would especially like to thank Councilman Robinson for his efforts in moving this conversation forward.

“The council has acted. Now the Legislature must go a step further. It must pass legislation – either an amended Protection Act or a new bill entirely – that calls for a new study around the contamination currently at the Park and has the framework for a plan to clean it up. It must pass legislation that creates a new commission that not only has true community representation, but listens, gathers ideas and creates a new Master Plan for Liberty State Park that works for every single member of our community.”

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