Jersey City Kids Deserve More Recreation Opportunities

TAPinto

By Charles Mainor, NAACP President (Jersey City Branch)

When I was a member of the New Jersey State Assembly (2010-2016), I helped to organize a forum aimed at advocating for youth health and fitness.

The objective was to promote the critical importance of affordable and accessible sports opportunities for the children of Jersey City, particularly black and brown children who are too often shortchanged when it comes to recreational facilities.

Panelists that day included representatives of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” Campaign, national youth development leaders, and accomplished athletes ranging from the high school competitors to Olympians.  All of whom recognized the power of sports and recreation to instill a lifelong commitment to health and fitness, both mental and physical.

My passion for this topic isn’t about creating the next NBA, WNBA, MLB or NFL Hall of Famer.  Rather, it is to leverage interest in athletics to positively shape the social and emotional development of our young people so they can reach their full potential in life.

Research shows that children who are active and involved in sports are more likely to stay out of trouble, do better in school, and pursue a college degree or professional trade. I also saw this firsthand during my days as a Detective with the Jersey City Police Department.

It’s why public and private investment in structured youth sports, active recreation, and the facilities that enable them is such good public policy.  Providing our children with a positive outlet to the negative influences of gangs, crime, and drugs will repay our initial investment hundreds of times over.

Unfortunately, here in Jersey City, the powers-that-be have never made recreation facilities a priority; and recent plans outlined by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for the future of Liberty State Park would only continue that sad legacy.

As New Jersey NAACP President Richard Smith said in his own op-ed on this subject, the NJDEP’s proposal would favor “swamps instead of athletic fields.”

As a member of the Liberty State Park Design Task Force, I want to see us move in a different direction; one that puts the needs of our community first.

Several worthwhile ideas have been put on the table, including a state-of-the-art community center with a year-round swimming pool; nature trails, waterfront access, indoor basketball courts and outdoor ball fields, just to name a few.

In other communities around the state, amenities, and facilities like these are commonplace; they are prioritized.  Yet, here in Jersey City, we are on the verge of allowing Trenton politicians to take one of our last remaining, significant parcels of open space, and turn it into artificial wetlands.  Why would we allow that?  We need fields, not floods!

I strongly encourage all residents to attend the next public meeting of the Liberty State Park Design Task Force, which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 9, starting at 6:00pm.  The in-person meeting will be hosted at 1 Audrey Zapp Drive in Jersey City, while a virtual option will also be available.  For those who prefer the latter, you must pre-register by visiting the NJDEP website and filling out the proper online form.

I know that speaking out publicly for something – especially in the face of powerful special interests who oppose it – can intimidating.  But as Dr. King said: “The time is always right to do what is right.”

I look forward to seeing you at the Task Force meeting on Tuesday.  Thank you.