CHAPTER 99

 

An Act designating High Point State Park as High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial and amending and supplementing P.L.1983, c.324.

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

C.13:1L-11.1  Findings, declarations relative to designating High Point State Park as High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial.

     1.    The Legislature finds and declares that:

     a.     In 1918, the New Jersey Department of Conservation and Development proposed the creation “on the Kittatinny Mountains in Sussex and Warren counties a great forest park for the benefit of the whole people.”

     b.    In 1920, Director Alfred Gaskil of the Division of Parks and Forestry suggested “that the park be established as the State’s memorial to its sons who had made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War.”

     c.     Colonel Anthony Kuser deeded his mountaintop summer estate at High Point to the State in 1923 for a public park and avian sanctuary.

     d.    In November 1927, Colonel Kuser further donated $500,000 to erect a granite-clad obelisk on New Jersey’s highest peak to honor the veterans of all wars.

     e.     The High Point Monument was dedicated to the “Glory and Honor and Eternal Memory of New Jersey’s heroes by land, sea, and air, in all wars of our Country” in June 1930.

     f.     Although the High Point Monument is one of the most visible and best known landmarks in the State, and is a symbol of the State’s parks and forests, the purpose for which it was built has diminished over time, and the surrounding park is only known by the name High Point State Park.  

     g.    It is therefore appropriate to rename the entire park to match the honoring of veterans for which the iconic monument was dedicated, and thereby show respect to the men and women who have given their lives to protect this country.

 

C.13:1L-11.2  High Point State Park designated as High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial.

     2. a. High Point State Park is designated as High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial.

     b.    The Department of Environmental Protection, through its Division of Parks and Forestry, shall alter its official publications to reflect this designation, and shall make expeditious efforts to replace any existing signs, advertisements, or any other public indicators of the park’s name to reflect this designation.

 

     3.    Section 11 of P.L.1983, c.324 (C.13:1L-11) is amended to read as follows:

 

C.13:1L-11  Shooting or trapping of birds at High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial prohibited; preservation of Island Beach State Park.

     11. a. In specific regard to High Point State Park and New Jersey Veterans Memorial, the department shall not allow the shooting or trapping of birds on park grounds, other than that of vermin, and then only by authorized representatives of the State.

     b.    As Island Beach State Park is a unique recreational resource and is highly valued for its topography, flora and fauna, it shall be preserved, maintained and improved in such a manner as the department determines will best perpetuate the present physical state.

     4.    This act shall take effect immediately.

 

     Approved May 10, 2019.