A developer's controversial plan to lease 22 acres of public park space in Liberty State Park has faced stiff opposition from park advocates, Jersey City officials and other groups.

The Liberty National golf club wants to lease the land to turn it into three holes for its private golf course.

Critics say Liberty National developer, former Reebok CEO Paul Fireman recently stepped up efforts to make it look like there's community support for the plan and to discredit the Friends of Liberty State Park, the decades-old advocacy group that is opposing the golf course.

When News 12 New Jersey’s Brian Donohue set out to cover this story, he called Liberty National for an interview. He was put into contact with Arnold Stovell, the CEO of a group called Liberty State Park for All.

But Stovell says that he has no connection to Liberty National whatsoever.

“I called Liberty National Golf Course for an interview with someone representing the golf course…and they put me in touch with you,” Donohue told Stovell.

“Well that was a mistake,” Stovell replied.

A bill that would prevent the privatization of Liberty State Park passed the state Senate earlier this year but has not been posted to a vote by the Democratic leadership in the Assembly.