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Robert Moses State Park Celebrates 100th Anniversary Renovations at Long Island's Oldest State Park part of $28 Million Revitalization By
Jay Beatty |
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July 3, 2008 FIRE ISLAND, NY — “Who knew a hundred years ago that three and a half million people would come to this beautiful park each year?”
Parks Commissioner Carol Ash A giant birthday cake – complete with a replica of the park’s iconic water tower -- and the reopening of a new bathhouse at Field #3 provided a delicious beginning on Friday, June 25, to a weekend of activities to mark the centennial. In addition to slices of cake, beachgoers were treated to children’s contests for sandcastles and artwork, magic shows and jugglers, a ‘Treasure Hunt Beach Dig”, and free water taxi rides from the Robert Moses Boat Basin to the Fire Island Lighthouse.
(l-r) Aide to Governor Paterson Michael Harrington, Assemblyman Phil Boyle, King Kullen Master Baker Jerry Rooney ( who created the cake), King Kullen Vice-President for Government, Industry & Public Relations Thomas Cullen, NYS Parks Commissioner Carol Ash, NYS Parks LI Regional Director Ron Foley, Senator Owen Johnson, Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick, Assemblyman Joseph Saladino, and Robert Moses State Park Manager Elizabeth Wintenberger "Long Islanders are deeply connected to the state parks, where generations have lasting memories of spending their days at the beach with friends and families," said Ash. "Revitalizing Robert Moses State Park and so many other fabulous parks and beaches in the region will ensure they continue to be so integral to Long Islanders' quality of life" The $700,000 rehabilitation of bathhouse at Field #3, which originally opened to the public in June of 1940, was completed largely by parks staff. The renovation included removal of a glass and metal storefront added to the building in the 1980s, allowing the food concession, beach shop and first aid offices to be enlarged with the construction of a new exterior, which complements the original architecture of the building. “This was an in-house restoration,” declared regional parks director Ron Foley. “There’s a lot of employee pride in this place.”
"I am proud to represent the area that encompasses this historic State Park which was the vision of its legendary namesake parks planner Robert Moses," said Senator Johnson. "As we look back and reflect on the history of this park and celebrate its centennial, we can be certain that the Robert Moses State Park will continue to provide many more years of family fun and wonderful memories for current and future generations of Long Islanders." "As someone who has enjoyed the fun and scenic beauty of Robert Moses State Park all my life, I am delighted to join the New York State Parks Office in wishing Robert Moses State Park, 'Happy 100th Birthday!" added Assemblyman Boyle.
Long Island's First State Park Originally known as Fire Island State Park, it became Long Island’s first state park when established near the Fire Island lighthouse, run by the Fire Island Park Commission. In 1924, the state legislature created the Long Island State Park Commission as part of a comprehensive State Park and Parkway program. One of its first acts was to acquire 600 acres of land formed by accretion west of the lighthouse to enlarge the park.
Today, Robert Moses State Park has about five miles of ocean beach from which visitors can swim, surf or surf-fish. Anglers can also fish from piers. A day-use boat basin can accommodate 40 boats. The park also has picnic areas and an 18-hole pitch-and-putt golf course, and recently constructed sand volleyball courts. It also has a major hawk watch platform.
(l) Robert Moses Water Tower “This park is a wonderful community asset where 3.5 million visitors come each year to swim, boat, fish and relax by the ocean,” noted Long Island-raised Governor David Paterson in a statement. “We need to continue our efforts and ensure that Robert Moses State Park remains vital and accessible for future generations."
Entrance to Beach at Field #3 -30- Click
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That
was the question asked by Commissioner of New York State Office of
Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash as
officials kicked off the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of
Robert Moses State Park, the oldest state park on Long Island. “So,
Robert Moses, thank you very much!” added Ash.
In
addition, the park's cupola and clock (which “hasn’t worked in fifteen
years” according to Ash) have been restored to working order. The
bathhouse is one of the more than $28 million in revitalization projects
taking place at state parks across the Island as a result of a new
initiative. Inside, bathrooms were completely renovated and
reconfigured to allow more space and better traffic flow to the changing
areas. A new family bathroom has been added to what was formerly closet
space. Renovation of the restrooms involved retiling the walls, the
floors, new partitions and fixtures, as well as new paint inside and
out.
Helping
Ash and Foley celebrate were Senator Owen Johnson (R,C-Babylon),
Assemblyman Phil Boyle (R,C, I - Bay Shore), Assemblyman Michael
Fitzpatrick (R,C,I-Smithtown), Assemblyman Joseph Saladino (R,C,I-Massapequa),
aide to Governor Patterson Michael Harrington, King Kullen
Vice-President for Government, Industry & Public Relations Thomas
Cullen, King Kullen Master Baker Jerry Rooney – the man responsible for
the impressive cake -- Park Manager Elizabeth Wintenberger, National
Parks Service representative Sean McGuinness, and a host of other fans,
friends, and former employees of the park.
Long
Island state parks will see a number of additional improvements this
year, including a $3.3 million project to rehabilitate the east boat
basin, $400,000 to rehabilitate the bulkhead at neighboring Captree
State Park, and $250,000 to upgrade electric systems and replace fuel
lines at the Captree fuel dock. The projects are part of a $132 million
capital improvement spending plan, the single largest capital investment
in the history of the state park system.
The
park was later devastated by the Great Hurricane of 1938. Plans were
immediately made for the reconstruction on a more desirable stretch of
beach. In 1939, a little more than two miles to the west, a modern
bathhouse was completed and opened to the public the following year. It
was renamed Robert Moses State Park in 1964, and with the opening of the
bridge spanning the Inlet that same year, attendance became so great
that new swimming areas had to be provided. The first few years saw
three bathhouses, complete with refreshment building and parking fields
constructed, attracting even more beachgoers.
Familiar
to visitors, the 202-foot-high water tower with its 1,102-foot-deep well
was completed in 1968. With its beacon visible many miles at sea, it
stands as a Long Island icon along with its companion tower at Jones
Beach State Park.
