Life and Liberty

Life and Liberty A Bike Ride Through Liberty State Park

Attracting over 5-million visitors a year, Liberty State Park is packed with history and remembrance of our country’s roots in immigration and it’s continued fight for freedom and democracy. It is a natural monument to the many men and women who’ve honored the United States with their lives. Today, what was once the gateway to freedom for the immigrants who were processed at the connected Ellis Island, serves as a recreational area for families to observe those freedoms in the shadow of Lady Liberty herself.

Once an industrial area, the 300-acre park was formally inaugurated as a recreational space in 1976 as New Jersey’s bicentennial gift to the nation. Regardless of its endowment, throughout its 44-year history, it’s come under threat of privatization on multiple occasions. In 2020, the latest proposal for private development involves expanding the Liberty National Golf Course, located directly next to the park, into the Caven Point beach area, which serves as one of the most critical areas of Liberty State – stay tuned to find out why.

I invite you to join me on a biking tour through the many features, benefits and wonders of the modern-day Liberty State Park.

We start our tour at the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail’s Liberty State Park train station. From here, cross the street and pick up a couple of Citi Bike bicycle-share bikes – unless of course, you brought your own bike.

Crossing back, past the train station, make a left at the first stop-light and immediately get your first glance of the many artistic murals scattered throughout Jersey City. These particular murals we’re seeing on our way into the park have an outer space theme to match the adjacent Liberty Science Center.

Ride along the sidewalk to the entrance of the science center, which showcases a few of its latest exhibits outside of the facility – the SURE House, a sustainable beach house of the future, and the HUM Rider, a car which can be hydraulically raised to drive over larger obstacles such as other vehicles.

Once you reach the road, make a left onto Phillip St. to head towards Aubrey Zapp Dr. You’re now riding alongside the massive Habitat Restoration Project Area on your right. Aiming to restore once industrialized land into a 234-acre ecological gem within the city, the project is expected to be completed by 2022.

Once you reach the intersection, make a right and reach a fork. To the left, a paved walkway heads straight towards the entrance of the park.

To the right, is a challenging gravel path through the Grove of Remembrance.

Accept the challenge and witness a beautiful natural area that serves as a ‘living memorial’ dedicated to the many New Jersey residents which perished on September 11th, 2001.

A large ceremonial burial plot serves as its centerpiece.

Head back onto the paved walkway and look over to your left as you continue to head towards the water to witness the Liberty Landing Marina. Large yachts, a restaurant, charters and ferry services lay along the shoreline - a backdrop of downtown Jersey City in view.

Ride across two parking lot entrances and you’ll reach the open iron gates which serve as the official entrance to the park. Immediately, you’ll encounter a restroom to your right followed by the eerie sights of the now-abandoned rail lines of Central Railroad of New Jersey. The decrepit roof structure of the terminal, built in the 1830’s, still hovers over the original railroad lanes, which are now fenced off for safety reasons. It does, however, make the perfect façade for two beautifully preserved locomotives sitting out front for tourists to enjoy.

Past the terminal and to your left you’ll find one of the newest additions to the park – the NJ Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial. At the front of the memorial lay original beams from the World Trade Center towers. Stand in front of the beams, between the two 30-foot tall stainless-steel walls engraved with the names of the victims, to witness where the twin towers once stood within the New York City skyline.

Instead of going through the hallway, veer left towards the green spaces where families often picnic along the rushing boats, kayaks and jet skis on the river, entering the marina.

Across the river the famous Colgate clock can be seen to the left. Loop around the green hill on your right and you’ll find yourself staring at one of the best views of downtown Manhattan.

Loop around the green hill on your right and you’ll find yourself staring at one of the best views of downtown Manhattan.

Continue down the waterfront walkway and the Central Railroad of New Jersey’s main building comes into view. The stunning brick building now houses tours of the former railroad.

Cross in front of the terminal building and see your first glimpse of Ellis Island. On this corner lives the boat launch for ferry services to both Ellis and Liberty Islands.

Keep traveling along the stone walkway, looping around a small plaza to the left, until you find the first paved walkway amongst the green on your right.

This walkway leads you directly to Christopher Columbus Plaza.

At its center, a monument, in the shape of a sail, with images etched into the iron depicting the discover of “the new world”.

Head left and consider riding slowly as you enter the children’s play area. Complete with picnic benches, grills, restrooms, an information center and three large, nature-themed playgrounds, this is arguably the busiest area of the park on any given day. On this particular day, a Mister Softee ice cream truck was parked a short distance away serving family delicious soft-serve treats.

Head back towards the water and you’ll find yourself at the closest point to Ellis Island from land.

Admire the immigration center’s beautiful brick architecture as you drive past it’s heavily guarded bridge entrance.

Take a moment to ride through the many winding pathways lain throughout the field before you head right back onto the waterfront walkway.

Just as the field stops at a major gravel footpath, which marks the beginning of the Richard J. Sullivan Natural Area, there is a designated bike trail – don’t get on the trail.

To your right, just before the South Cove shoreline is a dirt path, should you follow that pathway it would lead you to the park’s nature center, but save it for your next trip as we have other parts of the park to see today.

Water begins to surround you on both sides of the walkway, allowing you to focus on the centerpiece of the park coming up to your left.

There she is, The Statue of Liberty. You see her from the rear at first, but she slowly turns towards you the further you head down the walkway.

Turn the corner to the right on the walkway and continue following the trail to your right. You’ll pass more picnic and play areas as you enter the U.S. Flag Plaza.

On this day, the flags are flown at half-mast in honor of the late Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Continue up the hill and observe the Liberation Monument, dedicated to America’s role of preserving freedom during World War II.

Head back down through the U.S. Flag Plaza and pass the playground to begin your final stretch through the park. Follow the walkway as it transforms from pavement, to stone, to wood leading you to a boat launch.

Pass the boat launch, ride through a small stretch of parking lot, and hop right back onto a stone walkway on your left.

It’s another mile till we reach the beach, but this is arguably one of the more peaceful parts of the ride. You’ll pass along many fishermen as you loop around the clubhouse of the Liberty National Golf Course. Pass along a lush, well-lit and covered section of the walkway, lined with stone walls, just before reaching the narrow boardwalk. You’ll already start seeing glimpses of the beach from here.

From the boardwalk, a Caven Point Trail trailhead sign emerges on the right to reach the beach.

The trail is only accessible from October 1st – February 28th due to its status as a critical habitat for many species, namely migrating birds. Don’t be disappointed if you can’t access the beach, instead head back over to the walkway and enjoy watching the many different types of birds flying in, out and around their vegetation-rich home – a rarity in such an urban area, as is all of the momentous, Liberty State Park.

Appreciate