Robert Moses State Park (Long Island)

. The park lies in southern Suffolk County on the western end of Fire Island, a barrier island off the southern coast of Long Island. It is known for its 5 mi (8 km) stretch of splendid beaches on the open Atlantic Ocean and is a popular summer recreational destination in the New York City area. The park is accessible from Long Island by the Robert Moses Causeway across Great South Bay. This convert|875|acre|km2|sing=on facility is the oldest state park on Long Island.

Attractions

golf course. The course is fairly secluded and meanders through native beach trees and vegetation. It is typically open April through November and equipment rental is available. The park also contains four concession stands (one at each field), volleyball courts, first-aid stations, picnic areas, and a new playground at Field 5.

Access

The park is accessible by automobile from the Robert Moses Causeway which connects Fire Island with mainland Long Island. The park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset and parking is available, though fees vary by season. Vehicle fees are $8.00 during the peak season and $6.00 during the off-season. Charging hours are 8:00am-4:00pm on weekdays and 7:00am-6:00pm on weekends and holidays. Patrons age 62 and over are eligible for free entry during weekdays (holidays excluded) with their New York State driver's license.

History

Initially named Fire Island State Park, the facility attracts about 3.5 million visitors a year.

The west end of Fire Island was part of a Colonial grant to William Smith. In 1825 the federal government acquired the westerly tip to build a lighthouse and David Sammis bought about convert|120|acre|km2 to the east in 1855 and built the Surf Hotel.

In 1892, fears of a cholera epidemic spread by passengers on ships arriving in New York prompted the state to acquire the hotel property to establish a quarantine station. Irate local citizens obtained an injunction blocking the quarantine station and occupied the site for a while despite the arrival of troops.

Eventually the state decided the land would better serve as a park and established the Fire Island Park Commission in 1908 to run it. A 1918 fire destroyed the boardwalk and the few buildings on the site.

In 1924, the state established the Long Island State Park Commission headed by "master builder" Robert Moses as part of a statewide park and parkway program, also run by Moses. The commission obtained from the federal government four miles (6 km) of beach west of the lighthouse that had been formed by shifting sand. In 1926 the first bathhouse was erected. The Hurricane of 1938 trashed the park. The commission decided to rebuild farther east near the lighthouse and in 1940, the first modern bathhouse opened to the public.

Ferry service was maintained from Babylon to the park until 1964 when Robert Moses Causeway opened and the park was renamed for Moses. Attendance boomed, so three parking fields with bathhouses were added.

100th Anniversary

Robert Moses State Park celebrated its 100th anniversary June 27th, 2008.

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. In addition, the park's cupola and clock have been restored to working order.

Inside, the 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 in the center entryway of the bathhouse. Renovation of the restrooms involved retiling the walls, the floors, new partitions and fixtures. The entire interior and exterior were repainted.

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 renovations are part of a $132 million capital improvement spending plan that Governor Paterson and the Legislature advanced in this year's state budget for New York's 178 state parks and 35 historic sites. The $132 million is the single largest capital investment in the history of the state park system. The infusion will enable the state to begin addressing the system's extensive capital needs - needs that have been estimated at approximately $650 million.

Robert Moses

The park, originally Fire Island State Park, was renamed for Robert Moses, a "master builder" of mid 20th century New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County, New York. President of the Long Island State Park Commission in the early and middle 20th century who oversaw the expansion of the state park system on Long Island.

It is one of two state parks in New York to bear this name "Robert Moses State Park". The other, Robert Moses State Park - Thousand Islands, is in northern New York along the St. Lawrence River.

ee also

*List of New York state parks
*Robert Moses State Park (Thousand Islands)
*Jones Beach State Park

External links

* [http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=45 New York State Parks: Robert Moses State Park - Long Island]