The recent warm weather is turning many New Jerseyans' thoughts to enjoying state parks, recreation, and forests. The cost of maintaining these areas is about $39 million a year, with $8 million coming from fees and leases. But Gov. Chris Christie plans to emphasize growing revenues, in terms of fees and leases, with the goal of nearly doubling these revenues to $15 million by 2015.
One of the first efforts under this new parks plan includes two traveling exhibits from private groups to be showcased at Liberty State Park through June 30. The first exhibit is Alcatraz; Life on the Rock, which showcases the history of the Alcatraz facility. The second is The Asian Immigration Experience: Angel Island 1910-1940. The two exhibits will be free to visitors, but presumably the Department of Environmental Protection's Parks Department will be compensated for the space by Alcatraz Cruises, which provides ferry service to both San Francisco islands through its concession with the National Park Service. More information on these exhibits is available online.