Activists oppose idea of a second marina in Liberty State Park

<p>Activists say that they are opposed to the idea of possibly opening a second, private marina inside Liberty State Park.</p>

News 12 Staff

Dec 1, 2017, 2:15 AM

Updated 2,502 days ago

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Activists say that they are opposed to the idea of possibly opening a second, private marina inside Liberty State Park.
“This land needs to be protected for future generations,” says advocate Sam Pesin.
Pesin says that he and others believe that the state is planning to allow a private marina to be built on Liberty State Park’s south side next to a playground and picnic area. Pesin says that a marina would force out the families who come to the park for fun.
“So if there is a marina with 500 boats and yachts and the boat owners and their guests, they would confiscate parking spaces,” he says.
There is already a private marina in the park’s north side, on the border of downtown Jersey City.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection would not confirm if there are any plans for a new marina.
"We are always in ongoing dialogue with our lessees around the state. Any significant proposed changes to operations at Liberty State Park or any of our public facilities would undergo a public process, as they always have,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
But those opposed to further development in the park say that they are skeptical.
“They have a history of saying [no] until they’re ready to go,” says NY/NJ Baykeeper deputy director Greg Remaud. “It might be a concept plan. It might be an idea. They just won’t admit it’s a plan.”
Activists says that they plan to hold a protest in the park Saturday morning.