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Arup supports Liberty State Park Revitalization Program to enhance public space along New Jersey’s waterfront

Arup led the development of the Master Plan for the revitalization of the park

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Ozgur Gungor

Americas Media Officer

New York

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americaspress@arup.com

+1 212 896 3000

Last updated: 14th August 2025

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has published its comprehensive Master Plan for the revitalization of Liberty State Park, an iconic 1,200-acre park along New Jersey’s waterfront. The publicly available document details the various initiatives that fall under NJDEP’s Revitalization Program for the park, which aims to deliver active and passive recreation, arts, ecological, and cultural improvements while building resilience to flooding and climate change. Global built environment consultancy Arup led the development of the Master Plan in partnership with WRT.

“The Liberty State Park Master Plan is a community-directed document and reflection on the five years of meaningful public engagement at the heart of the Liberty State Park Revitalization Program,” said John Cecil, NJDEP Assistant Commissioner for State Parks, Forests & Historic Sites. “This master plan provides a map to guide the Department of Environmental Protection and Liberty State Park: it outlines the changes and improvements called for by the public, while maintaining and enhancing the park's important habitats and natural areas.”

“Liberty State Park serves as a critical green refuge within the most densely populated metropolitan region in the country. As surrounding communities continue to experience demographic and economic expansion, a comprehensive understanding of park users’ needs and the strategic enhancement of the park’s role as both a local and regional anchor are essential to ensuring its long-term vitality and relevance,” said Sherazad Mehta, Project Director at Arup.

The new Master Plan has incorporated key feedback from local stakeholders, community members, and everyday users, solicited during several in-person and online engagement sessions led by Arup and WRT in collaboration with NJDEP.

A person riding a bicycle on a road with people on the side.

Through these initiatives, NJDEP, Arup, and WRT aim to restore natural habitats, unite diverse cultures, and enhance quality of life for the surrounding communities © WRT

A group of people walking under a covered area.

In addition to the broader Master Plan, Arup has supported the development of unique programmatic and design recommendations for the park © WXY

A group of people walking on a path by a body of water.

The Revitalization Program will be a transformational project and prime example of equitable urban planning initiatives and resilient waterfront design © WRT

In addition to the broader Master Plan, Arup has supported the development of unique programmatic and design recommendations for the southern portion of the park, as well as the detailed design for key priority projects in the northern areas of the park. Arup also led a sitewide transportation connectivity planning study, as well as the development and implementation of a free, parkwide shuttle program, which is operating for its second year in a row.

Through these initiatives, NJDEP, Arup, and WRT aim to restore natural habitats, unite diverse cultures, and enhance quality of life for the surrounding communities, while preserving the rich history at Liberty State Park. The Revitalization Program is a transformational project and prime example of equitable urban planning initiatives and resilient waterfront design.

To learn more about Liberty State Park’s Revitalization Program and the once-in-a-generation improvements to this community anchor, visit https://dep.nj.gov/revitalizelsp/.