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objectimpermanence t1_jcwbu1i wrote

Reply to comment by GoHuskies1984 in NJ.com Needs to Stop Publishing Misinformation about LSP by nuncio_populi

They’ve been claiming that for a while actually.

An interesting irony that someone else pointed out the last time this was in the news a lot was that Fireman’s opponents were disproportionately white, as left wing environmental groups tend to be. Meanwhile, Fireman has an NAACP board member and several local black leaders on his side.

Honestly, I can understand why some people see the appeal of Fireman’s side. LSP is noticeably bereft of active recreation opportunities and the park’s supporters generally have little interest in changing the status quo when it comes to the type of amenities in the park.

Not everyone considers themselves an environmentalist or an avid birdwatcher. As far as I can tell, the park’s supporters have made few concessions to the demographic of park users who want LSP to have more amenities like Central Park.

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nuncio_populi OP t1_jcwps23 wrote

I’ll say it again louder for those who willfully refuse to hear: THE STATE DEP PLAN INCLUDES 60 ACRES FOR SPORTS.

The People’s Park plan is a gross overdevelopment of the park that would pave over large open spaces to put up closed-off stadiums and concert venues. Not even Central Park has anything comparable to what Fireman’s cronies want to put up.

Also, what a bad take: A park goer doesn’t have to be an environmentalist or bird watcher to enjoy nature. A state park is supposed to be a resource to enjoy being outdoors; it’s not supposed to be Disney Land.

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davebozo t1_jczvmad wrote

is there anywhere to see renderings of the different proposals?

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nuncio_populi OP t1_jczzkud wrote

Sure. Copying this from a response I gave on a different thread. See below:

Last year, the state legislature passed a $100 million act to fund Liberty State Park. There are two competing visions for the land:

The original plan calls for wetland, woodland, and grassland restoration to create wildlife habitat and scenic, passive recreation for all visitors to the park plus an additional sixty acres of sporting facilities, active recreational fields open, and a cultural center – all open to the public. The park also lies in a flood plain so habitat restoration will actually add a buffer to protect low-lying neighboring communities, particularly parts of Jersey City — Greenville, Bergen-Lafayette, and Downtown. You can see an older version of the state's plan here.

The alternative plan is promoted by the People's Park Foundation, which is funded by billionaire golf course owner Paul Fireman. This plan calls for the park to be turned into concert venues with multiple stadiums to be built and concession vendors spread throughout to "generate revenue." Predecessors to the overdevelopment plan have called for a new marina for yachts (conveniently located by Fireman's golf course) and, in the past, an outlandish formula-1 racetrack.

For context, Fireman has long coveted an environmentally sensitive portion of Liberty State Park called Caven Point to expand his golf course. His People's Park Foundation has been running a campaign in the op.ed section of NJ.com for the last year either claiming that the first plan does not exist or grossly underselling the state's vision for the park. They try and conflate opposition to their plan with the false idea that the state wants to abandon Liberty State Park.

Edit: Added in the links.

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davebozo t1_jd030xx wrote

in this latest version of fireman plan does he get any portion for his golf course? Also, the DEP needs some better renderings to compete with the other proposal.

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Belindiam t1_jd5499m wrote

The Fireman people's plan is not to scale but merely a utopian rendering. There simply isn't the space to it all.

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yucca_beluga t1_jcz17ul wrote

the problem with that argument is that those "amenities" aren't actually going to benefit the people who need them. it will largely benefit the people who live in the most expensive parts of downtown with the easiest access to the park. additionally concert venues etc. just means more instances where access to the park is going to be restricted to those who have the funds for concerts.

Some of us just want to retain open spaces that anyone can enjoy.

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