The Role of Parkways in Barrier Beach Preservation: A Study of Contrasts on Long Island, New York

Early in his career, Robert Moses became concerned with the paucity of recreational opportunities for the people of New York City. Upon his appointment as president of the newly formed Long Island State Park Commission in 1924, Moses set out to rectify the situation. Almost immediately he recognized the recreational potential of Long Island’s barrier beaches and noted: There are miles ofoceanfront beaches now inaccessible except by small boat. If the islands between them and the mainland were bridged by an adequate parkway thousands of acres could be made available to public use.¹ In addition to providing access, however, Moses