Historic Context: Liberty State Park (LSP) is one of the most successful restoration projects in the state, if not the country. Early restoration efforts focused on debris clean up, facilities development and capping hazardous soils. As a result the former Central Railroad of New Jersey (2a and 2b) complex has been transformed into a vital historic, ecological and recreational resource. In the center of the park there remains approximately 251 acres, the former railroad yard, that are undeveloped. Much of the area has been re-colonized (3b) by various plant communities. These communities represent unique associations of both endemic and non-native species that can be considered the by-product of the cultural events that have taken place during the past several centuries. The following broad observation can be made from the past surveys: Overall plant species richness, measured simply as the number of species encountered, has increased by at least 71% over the past thirty years, despite the development loss of approximately 50% of the site. Forested areas have increased dramatically in size and density over the past thirty years, and by 2005 had occupied approximately 56 acres of the project site.Shrub assemblages appear also to have increased in both size and diversity and currently occupy at least 32 acres. Non-native species have been prevalent throughout the sites history. However, the structure of these assemblages has changed. Assemblages dominated by P. australis apparently decreased in size, within the study area between 1996 and 2003, perhaps by as much as 19%. Conversely, in the dredge spoil area that was graded in 1993 and planted with rye grass P. australis has invaded. Planning Initiative: Recognizing the significance of the project to the overall ecological health of the harbor and its public benefit the Unites States Army Corps of Engineers included LSP as one of the top 13 restoration efforts to be included in the Hudson-Raritan Estuaries Program.