NY Lawmaker Proposes Bill To Rename Robert Moses State Park

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY - A New York lawmaker recently proposed a new legislation to rename Robert Moses State Park. Manhattan Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell introduced the bill to rename the park to something that would "reflect on the history of Long Island."

Moses, a West Islip native, held many positions during his life including President of the Long Island State Park Commission between 1924 and 1963; President of the Bethpage State Park Authority between 1933 and 1963 and President of the Jones Beach Parkway Authority between 1933 and 1963.

His influence is prominent across Long Island. In addition to the park named after him, there is the Robert Moses Causeway, Robert Moses Middle School in North Babylon and a statue of him was erected near Babylon Village Hall where he lived for many years.

However, he has also been accused of having racist motivations in the designs of many of his projects. According to an article in the New York Daily News, when opening Jones Beach, Moses only wanted white visitors and he also purposely built parkway overpasses too low for buses since at the time, most African Americans did not own cars. The article, published in September, expresses its support of removing his name from several New York public works projects.

Many Long Islanders expressed their opposition to changing the name on Facebook.

"If that is true then take the opportunity for it to be a reminder so history doesn't repeat itself," one person commented.

The bill did not include a suggested name to change the park to. The bill also needs a Senator to sponsor it in order to move forward.

What do you think? What would you rename the park? Let us know in the comments below.