Chain-link surprise: Feds erect fence partially blocking Statue of Liberty views

A new security gate is frustrating tourists and residents blocking scenic views of the Statue of Liberty off of Manhattan’s southern tip.

Lady Liberty, a skyline fixture of New York City, is now being blocked by a fence along the Battery Park waterfront. ​

The National Park Service and United States Park Police call the metal gate a critical security element to protect the millions of people who visit the Statue of Liberty each year. Yet some think, its forcing sightseers to pay to catch an unobstructed glimpse.

“The irony is that you’re getting on this ship to see that represents freedom, right,” tourist Kita Yang said.

​”If there is a fence you can’t get a good shot, you can’t see anything,” another young tourist said.

Paula Recart is the president of the Battery Conservancy, a group responsible for designing and maintaining the 25-acre historic parkland. And she’s among the neighbors who want their unobstructed view back.

​”We believe it’s too tall, too long, it doesn’t need to be all the way through the promenade,” Recart said Thursday. “We were even planning a party that we were going to call ‘the view is back.’ And what we were not expecting was that fence.”

​This fence was added about a month ago — an upgrade following plaza renovations.

The National Parks Service told NBC New York that while the fencing is new, since 2004 barrier has occupied the same footprint.

“Removing the fencing would expose ferry operations to unnecessary risk for the sake of a better view,” a U.S. Park Police spokesperson said.

Battery Park belongs to New York City, which would like to see a change to the new fencing.

“Reopening as much as possible of the waterfront at The Battery is essential to ensuring that New Yorkers and visitors can access and enjoy one of the city’s most iconic public spaces,” a spokesperson from NYC Parks said.

The status quo has visitors, especially those who’ve been to the park before, confused.

“They should do something about it, take it off,” tourist Aura Kalmar said.

​U.S. Park Police say the view clears up late in the day once ferry service concludes.

Rep. Dan Goldman says he met with the federal agencies to try and find an alternative solution to the fencing situation, so far none have been announced.