Tag Archives: Liberty State Park

IN MEMORY OF A FRIEND AND CO-WORKER TOM DWYER

By Joe Calamito

This past September 20th, marked 23 years the River View Observer has been in business, and in the early years we were fortunate to have a lead writer named Tom Dwyer writing our cover stories. He alone was instrumental in keeping our readers interested in all things Hudson County.

Always ready to tackle a new story idea, and creating ideas that made us worthy of our readers attention.

I was heartbroken to find out recently that on April 6th, 2021 the world lost a talented writer and musician when Tom lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

It is hard for me to fathom such a brilliant talent as Tom no longer doing what he loved best, spending time with his beloved wife Susan, traveling, writing and creating beautiful music.

Tom was my friend, and although we hadn’t worked together in years, on occasion he would contact me and offer a travel story he had written and excitedly, I would jump at the chance to have the name Tom Dwyer, grace the pages of our publication one more time.

He would offer advice that I knew would make us a better publication, and in one of our last conversations a few years back, we talked of him writing a regular feature on Travel. Here at the River View we were excited at the idea.

Tom was a talented songwriter and in that last conversation we had, he was proud to let me hear some songs he had written and sold and I was happy he did.

There is no way I can sum up our friendship and working relationship other than to let his work speak for itself, by posting a few of Tom’s stories for you to read. Tom’s earlier stories unfortunately were written before we had the River View Observer website and are only in print , however, I did manage to find some from 2008 and 2009 for you to read.

Tom Thank you for all you did for us-and for inspiring us to push on, you made me a better person and publisher for have knowing you.

I hope you enjoy reading some of Tom’s stories…

Happy Birthday Liberty State Park by Tom Dwyer

Travel Sanibel -Captiva Islands Beauty and Sophistication Fun by Tom Dwyer

The Peninsula at Bayonne Harbor

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Earth Day 2015; “It’s Our Turn to Lead” Liberty State Park Celebration to Raise Eco Awareness

By Sally Deering

 

Poster for Earth Day 2015 It’s been 25 years since Hudson celebrated the first Earth Day in Liberty State Park and on Sat, April 25 – rain or shine — the Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), Friends of Liberty State Park, and local and state community activists will be at the waterfront park to enlighten local residents on ecological issues in Hudson and the world-at-large.

Earth Day 2015 will kick off at 10 am with a 5k Walk and Run through the park; and for the kids there’ll be  kite flying, arts and crafts, inflatable rides, interactive games, contests and giveaways, with a steady flow of entertainers on the main stage; and refreshments, too. Hundreds of volunteers from city and state community groups and organizations will present displays on local and world-wide ecological innovations and reforms to inform visitors about the eco future.

 

Earth Day Balloons 2015“This year marks our 25th anniversary of Earth Day Celebrations here in Hudson County and since its inception, the goal has always been to raise environmental awareness among members of the community,” says Mary-Ellen Gilpin, Director of HCIA’s  environmental programs. “The fair creates an opportunity for residents, young and old, to enjoy themselves while learning the importance of ‘reducing, re-using and recycling’ and protecting our urban environment.”

The Hudson County Improvement Authority (HCIA), founded in 1974, provides strategic planning and coordination of public policy initiatives on behalf of Hudson County municipalities and residents. The authority is responsible for a vast range of services including low interest financing for public and private initiatives, solid waste management, environmental education, recycling and transportation management, recreation services, and alternative energy initiatives.

From the 5K run/walk, to the informative displays and tents, and green communities’ marketplace, Hudson residents will have a wide array of things to do and see at the fair, Gilpin says.

“View the winning posters drawn by students for our 9th annual Earth Day Calendar art contest, or make a pledge to help the environment at the ‘Wishing Tree’,” Gilpin says. “This year will be the largest Earth Day Fair we have ever run. It is more important than ever to make sure our communities understand what resources are available in the county to help protect our environment, together.”

 

Earth Day The national Earth Day theme this year is “It’s Our Turn to Lead” focusing on the unique environmental challenges facing our world, and especially our urban municipalities. All attendees at LSP are invited to visit the Wishing Trees to make a pledge to perform one act that can lead the way to make our Hudson municipalities “greener”.

“On behalf of myself and my fellow commissioners, I would like to invite you to join us in Liberty State Park for a celebration of 25 Years of Earth Day in Hudson County,” HCIA Chairman John L. Shinnick says. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring residents together to learn about the environment and spend time with their community. It’s a great day of free outdoor fun for the whole family.”

EXHIBITORS

Earth Day Globe Exhibitors at Earth Day 2015 will include city and state government agencies, community groups, service organizations, health care service providers, ‘green’ retailers and non-profits with ecological missions like Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy, Citizens Climate Lobby, Student Conservation Association, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection, and the NY/NJ Baykeeper. The NY/NJ Baykeeper in Keyport offers eco cruises and kayak tours that launch from Keyport. Representatives from the NY/NJ Baykeeper will be at LSP to raise awareness to the needs within NY-NJ Harbor.

“Many residents throughout New Jersey don’t know how to access their waterways to use them for recreational purposes and learn more about their environment,” Sandra Meola of the NY/NJ Baykeeper says. “Baykeeper’s interactive kayak tours and eco cruises aim to connect the public to their waterways. By doing so, we advocate for the protection and preservation of our waterways within the NY-NJ Harbor Estuary.”

WALK FOR FRIENDS OF LSP; RUN FOR HC IMPROVEMENT

 Friends of Liberty State Park is an all-volunteer, non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, conserving and promoting Liberty State Park. Since 1988, it has advocated for the protection and improvement of this open space park, and more than 5 million visitors come annually to enjoy this recreational, natural, historic, and cultural public resource. It all began when local residents Morris Pesin and Audrey Zapp, and historic preservationist Ted Conrad led a citizens’ movement to transform a waterfront wasteland of abandoned rail yards and decaying piers into a park. Sam Pesin, the son of Morris Pesin continues his father’s advocacy as director of the Friends of Liberty State Park.

“Earth Day is a time for us all to celebrate Mother Nature and think about doing all we can to contribute to a clean and healthy environment,” Pesin says. “We must all be activists in protecting the beauty, necessity and spiritual power of nature and open space.  Liberty State Park is our great urban waterfront open space which enriches our urban quality of life.”

At 11 am, following “Walk for LSP” and the HCIA’s 5K Walk/Run, a “Kids’ Kingdom” area will open with environment-themed displays, information on services available throughout Hudson, and tree seedlings, compliments of the NJ Division of Parks and Forestry.

Throughout the day, strolling entertainers like a juggling stilt-walker, “Earth Boy”, “Buster”, “Woodsy” and “Garbage Goat” will interact with festival-goers, and. DJ Mickey will emcee the stage acts. Here’s the line-up:

 

11 am-Noon  Race Award Ceremony 

12 pm-12:30   DJ Mickey

12:30 1:15      Field Station: Dinosaurs:

“The Dinosaur Troubadour and Mighty T-Rex” 

1:15– 1:30      DJ Mickey

1:30– 2 pm     Carl Brister in Concert

2 pm–2:15      DJ Mickey

2:15– 2:45      Field Station: Dinosaurs:

“The Dinosaur Troubadour and Mighty T-Rex” 

2:45– 3 pm     DJ Mickey

3 pm–4 pm      John Christian Band

 When Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise took office in November 2002, he made protecting Hudson’s local environment and remaining open space one of his top priorities.

“We want our kids to get out there and enjoy all the beauty that Hudson County has to offer,” County Executive DeGise says. “Celebrating Earth Day in Liberty State Park is an excellent way to help get our kids back-to-nature; while learning to protect our unique environment.”

 

 

IF YOU GO:

Sat, April 25, 10 am-6 pm

25TH EARTH DAY CELEBRATION

Liberty State Park

200 Morris Pesin Drive

Jersey City

(201) 915-3402

 

Hudson County Improvement Authority

(201) 324-6222

www.hcia.org

 

Friends of Liberty State Park

www.folsp.org

 

 

JERSEY CITY INCLUDED IN WOMEN’S HEALTH MAGAZINE AND YELP REVEAL THE NATION’S MOST SOCIAL CITIES  

jersey city sign Jersey City Makes the List for Fitness 

Here is what they said about JERSEY CITY 

The views of Lower Manhattan from Liberty State Park’s four-mile running loop are spectacular. But Jersey City (“JC” to locals) also boasts some kick-ass indoor options. At last count: 31 gyms, 14 Pilates studios, 14 martial-arts studios, four boxing gyms, and 10 dance studios—all within 21 square miles. Inside, group classes rule; these extra-effective ones offer free trial sessions.
For long, lean muscles: Instructor Erica Braun’s tough Base Barre class at Base Gym focuses on small, targeted ballet- and
yoga-inspired movements (basenj.com).For cardio endurance: Thanks to crazy heavy boxing bags, fat and flab take a big hit at
coed gym CKO Jersey City. Plyometric floor drills add to the intensity (ckokickboxing.com).For strength training: The wildly popular, feverishly energetic JCF Health and Fitness
Bootcamp meets six times a week—and has helped many local women drop many dress sizes (jcfbootcamp.com).

New York, New York—September  10, 2014 –Women’s Health, the fastest-growing women’s health and wellness magazine in the world, and Yelp, the website and mobile app that connects people with local businesses, revealed today the results of the first annual Social Cities Awards based on a six-month, research-based partnership to determine 20 social metropolises on the rise in the United States. These results are featured at www.womenshealthmag.com/socialcities and in the October issue of Women’s Health, on newsstands September 9.

Continue reading JERSEY CITY INCLUDED IN WOMEN’S HEALTH MAGAZINE AND YELP REVEAL THE NATION’S MOST SOCIAL CITIES  

HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME! Fun Things to Do in Hudson and Other Jersey Hot Spots

River View Observer’s  Best Bets for a Great Time this Summer 

Bob Dylan will appear at Pier A in Hoboken on July 26th
Bob Dylan will appear at Pier A in Hoboken on July 26th

 

 

 

By Sally Deering

 Its official – summer has arrived! And that means it’s time to check out fun happenings here in Hudson and beyond the county line. This jaunty little list of things to do is just a drop in the ice bucket, a sampling of sorts to get you thinking outside the box you call your apartment.

Get out, get wet, have fun!

SHAKE, PADDLE AND ROLL

Liberty State Park, Jersey City

Kayak Eco Tours invites Liberty State Park visitors to explore the natural beauty of the Hudson River Estuary by kayak. Tours embark from the canoe/kayak launch located at the south side of Liberty State Park near the park office and highlight the local wildlife and habitats of Caven Point. Trips run approximately two hours and include safety and paddle instruction. No prior paddling experience is required, but participants should be comfortable navigating in relatively deep water. Life Jackets (PFDs) are provided and required. This program is appropriate for adults and children 16 years and older; kids 16-18 need to be accompanied by an adult. For registration and payment information, or any other questions, contact Liberty State Park at (201) 915-3402. Program fee: $15/person. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Thurs-Sun through Aug. 30. For more info: www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/liberty.html. Continue reading HOT FUN IN THE SUMMERTIME! Fun Things to Do in Hudson and Other Jersey Hot Spots

Steveamack.com photos of Liberty State Park Damage from Superstorm Sandy

Steve A Mack took these dramatic photos  of the damage sustained by  Superstorm Sandy  on Liberty State Park.

Liberty State Park is currently closed and these photos show the impact Sandy had on the popular New Jersey travel destination for thousands of people each year.

The River View Observer will post the date when the park opens in the near future.

More photos by Steveamack.com to come of Liberty State Park

downed treees at Liberty State Park in Jersey City

Jersey City Receives $175,000 Grant from North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority to Study the Cost-Benefit Analysis of Public Transportation within Liberty State Park

 

JERSEY CITY — Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy announced today that the City of Jersey City has received a $175,000 grant from the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) to complete the Liberty State Park Circulator Cost-Benefit Analysis.

The purpose of the study is to analyze a range of options for mass transit circulator service throughout Liberty State Park that would serve destinations within the park and existing and future adjacent residential development and businesses. The study will evaluate a range of route and modes, including rail and rubber tire options, using a comprehensive set of quantitative and qualitative evaluation criteria. The final product will include the identification of a range of feasible concepts for further study.

 

“We believe that a circulator service will support tourism and enhance the multi-modal mass transit network for park visitors, residents and workers in the vicinity,” said Mayor Healy. “Jersey City has a high transit-dependent population and was identified by the NJTPA in 2007 as an Environmental Justice community. Because 40 percent of Jersey City residents are without access to a car, many residents rely on public transportation to access park facilities.” Continue reading Jersey City Receives $175,000 Grant from North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority to Study the Cost-Benefit Analysis of Public Transportation within Liberty State Park

Jersey City & Parks Coalition Win One of Three National Make A Difference Day Awards for Municipalities for “BIG DIG” Planting Project

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy and the Jersey City Parks Coalition announced today that the City of Jersey City and The Jersey City Parks Coalition have been awarded one of three national Make A Difference Day awards for municipalities for the collaborative project known as the “BIG DIG” that saw 18,000 tulip and daffodil bulbs planted across the city last October.

“We are extremely honored to receive this prestigious award and recognition,” said Mayor Healy. “Make A Difference Day, and particularly the ‘BIG DIG’ project, illustrated the immense value of public-private partnerships and what a positive impact volunteerism can have on a community.” Continue reading Jersey City & Parks Coalition Win One of Three National Make A Difference Day Awards for Municipalities for “BIG DIG” Planting Project

Jersey City to Observe the 10th Anniversary of the Attack on America


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Several events will take place throughout the City Including a Walkway Dedication in Honor of Jersey City’s Fallen

Heroes and the “Reflections”9-11 Memorial Service

and the Jersey City 9/11 Memorial Committee will observe the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks with the annual 9/11 Memorial Service “Reflections,” at 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2011, at the foot of Grand Street on the Jersey City Waterfront. The public is encouraged to attend the patriotic ceremony. Continue reading Jersey City to Observe the 10th Anniversary of the Attack on America

PGA Golfer Phil Mickelson to Make Appearance at 2011 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

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ExxonMobil Announces Continuing Support of Liberty Science Center
Professional golfer Phil Mickelson will congratulate 200 third-through fifth-grade teachers selected to attend the 2011 National Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy.
The teachers applied for the opportunity to attend this year’s Academy by logging onto www.sendmyteacher.com. A panel of educators selected the teachers out of 1,500 applicants based on their qualifications, dedication to inspiring students at an early age and overall commitment to enhancing the teaching profession. Continue reading PGA Golfer Phil Mickelson to Make Appearance at 2011 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy

Summer Fun Jersey Style


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Just for you Free Shows, Movies and Other Happenings on the Jersey Side

By Sally Deering

Well, its summertime and that means blowing up beach balls and dashing to the sandy Jersey shore to slather on sunblock and frolic in the Atlantic’s waves. But for urban dwellers who can’t slip away for some beach blanket bingo, there are plenty of fun and free activities in Hudson to help you enjoy the sunny days and balmy nights ahead

 Hoboken’s Cultural Affairs Department offers movies, kids’ shows, even Shakespeare in the park

 Family Fun

Free Outdoor Performances 

Shipyard Park, 13th Street & McFeeley Drive

June 28 – Mother Goose, rhymes, songs and stories, www.after3theatre.org; July 12 - The Hey Ya Brothers, slapstick comedy, www.heyyabrothers.com; July 19 - Yosi, kids sing-along, www.yosimusic.com; July 26 – The Fuzzy Lemons, family-friendly rock band, www.thefuzzylemons.com; Aug 2 – Music Together, music and movement for babies and toddlers, www.musictogether.com; Aug 9 - Big Jeff & the Bouncy People, singer-songwriter, www.bigjeffmusic.com; Aug 16 - Starfish, kids/family band, www.myspace.com/rockwithstarfish; Aug 23 – Americana Family Jamboree, bluegrass and folksongs, www.facebook.com/americanafamilyjamobree

  Continue reading Summer Fun Jersey Style