Paul Fireman, former Reebok executive and owner of Liberty National Golf Course, says he is halting his bid to expand his golf course into neighboring Liberty State Park, reports NorthJersey.com.
The area that Fireman was hoping to take over is currently a quiet wildlife refuge known as Caven Point. The peninsula boasts panoramic views of the New York skyline, which Fireman claims he needs to draw major PGA events. Caven Point is owned by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and assigned to Liberty State Park for management.
- Coming soon: Two Crepes
- Where to eat outdoors: Jersey City outdoor dining
“I am halting any efforts to pursue a public private partnership at Caven Point,” said Fireman in a press release. “I am doing this to force the supporters of the Liberty State Park Protection Act to address the social justice problems connected to Liberty State Park without using me as an excuse to keep ignoring minority communities.”
Fireman is alleging that the park’s keepers — in particular the Friends of Liberty State Park (FOLSP) conservancy group — have not done enough to make the park accessible to Jersey City’s minority communities.
The FOLSP is led by Sam Pesin, whose father is credited with founding the park in 1976. For decades, Pesin — along with hundreds of Jersey City residents — has fought the privatization of Liberty State Park. The Liberty State Park Protection Act would halt any privatization and allow public citizens/civic organizations to provide public input on any proposed changes at Liberty State Park.
NorthJersey.com reports that Fireman recently made charitable donations to Jersey City Assemblywoman Angela McKnight’s nonprofit, Angela Cares. (McKnight told NorthJersey.com she remains supportive of the Liberty State Protection Act). Fireman has also donated an unspecified amount to Team Walker, run by Hudson County Freeholder Jerry Walker.
