Writer makes plea to keep state park open

Iunderstand with some dismay that (New Jersey officials) intend closing the Monmouth Battlefield State Park.

Writing as I am from "across the pond," I find it incomprehensible that you should find it necessary to close one of the few historic sites that puts the state of New Jersey on the worldwide map - certainly as far as the Brits are concerned - I believe we got quite a hiding!

Having worked on a British television documentary on the Battle of Monmouth a couple of years ago in the Landmark series "Battlefield Detectives," which is still being repeated worldwide, I personally experienced the groundbreaking research the BRAVO team are making in battlefield archeology - all at no expense to the state taxpayer.

What a sad day when a member of this merry band of stalwarts may stand on the world stage at a conference and have to admit that they no longer have a state park for this important battlefield, let alone their unique research facility … and they would be very sorry but anybody wishing to visit this battlefield site would have to apply to the state governor for permission as the location is now on unkempt private land.

I suggest that this decision be reconsidered before making a very embarrassing mistake … maybe look at making a few savings in your own internal spends to save one of your most important world assets …

Don't let a decision of this gravity be taken on "your watch."
Roger Lucas
BBC/Granada Television
Manchester, United Kingdom