Politics & Government

Governor to Privatize Management of State Parks

Gov. Christie announced plans yesterday to turn management of some parks functions over to private firms and non-profits, including the D&R Canal State Park and Princeton Battlefield.

The Delaware & Raritan Canal and Princeton Battlefield state parks are among the public facilities that could be affected by a state plan to contract management of parks to non-profits and for-profit groups.

Gov. Chris Christie announced the plan Wednesday at Liberty State Park in Jersey City. The plan, he said would "generate sustainable and secure revenues while at the same time enhance the parks while improving and expanding the services that they offer to the public."

The two phase plan is designed to increase short-term non-tax revenues to $15 million by 2015 through "partnerships with the private sector and nonprofit organizations" and generate up to two thirds of annual revenue thorugh alternative revenue sources."

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Jeff Tittel, director of the NJ Sierra Club, criticized the plan as dangerous, "potentially limiting public access, decreasing services, and raising costs."

In a press release, the NJ Sierra Club said the model -- the lease of concession and catering services at Liberty State Park -- "is open-ended, limits public access and gives way too much power to the private company."

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The new proposal only extends these problems throughout the state.

“Gov. Christie has cut the budget for state parks and eliminated their staff as an excuse to privatize and give away New Jersey’s treasured assets to private companies," Tittel said. "Gov. Christie is privatizing our parks without public oversight, scrutiny, and pay-to-play restrictions.”

The nearly 60-mile D&R Canal State Park runs from New Brunswick, through Franklin Township, South Brunswick, Princeton, Plainsboro, West Windsor, Lawrence, Trenton and into Hunterdon County.

Princeton Battlefield is a 100-acre park on Mercer Street in Princeton.


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