This chapter explores Robert Moses’ complex journey as he masterminded the creation of New York’s state park and parkway system, focusing especially on the transformation of Long Island’s public spaces and the development of Jones Beach. The narrative follows Moses as he evolves from an idealistic reformer into a shrewd, sometimes ruthless political strategist, revealing how his ambitions were shaped by a mix of political alliances, legal battles, and unwavering vision.
At the beginning, the chapter highlights the temptations that came with parkway construction. Politicians saw opportunities for personal gain through land speculation and lucrative contracts, thanks to insider knowledge of planned routes. Moses initially stood apart from this corruption, refusing to share information or make political deals, even if it meant delaying his own projects. However, after repeated setbacks, he realized that achieving his goals required building alliances. His partnership with Nassau County boss G. Wilbur Doughty marked a pivotal shift. After private negotiations, Moses secured the support he needed, and land deals began to benefit Doughty’s associates. This pragmatic turn allowed Moses to push his Jones Beach proposal forward, showing his willingness to adapt to the messy realities of political power to achieve his vision.
The chapter goes on to describe the changing political landscape of the mid-1920s. Moses skillfully used his alliances and legislative know-how to overcome resistance. When Nassau County broke with Suffolk in opposing the Long Island Park Commission, Moses seized the opportunity to exploit these divisions. Political pressures, including Al Smith’s run for governor and a crucial Senate race, forced Republican leaders to compromise, clearing the way for Moses to move ahead with the Southern State Parkway and other projects. Even as opponents tried to restrict spending and slow progress, Moses drew on local support, real estate interests, and creative financing to speed up land acquisition and construction, demonstrating his knack for outmaneuvering his adversaries.
Legal and political maneuvering were also central to Moses’ efforts to establish parks like Deer Range State Park. When local officials objected, Governor Al Smith used his charm and influence to smooth things over, while Moses delayed court challenges and pressed forward with development. Even when a court initially ruled against him, appeals and Smith’s extraordinary intervention as a witness turned the tide, and the judge ultimately sided with the park commission. This episode highlighted the imbalance of power between local opposition and the state, as well as the effectiveness of political and legal tactics in shaping public projects.
The drawn-out fight over the Taylor Estate further revealed Moses’ growing ruthlessness. As his opponent, W. Kingsland Macy, racked up legal expenses, Moses continued developing the estate into a park, making it nearly impossible for the courts to reverse the process. This conflict not only raised Macy’s political profile but also taught Moses the value of bold, sometimes deceptive action. He discovered that starting physical work on a project made it much harder for opponents to stop it, and that underestimating costs could help secure initial funding and force further investment down the line.
The chapter concludes with Moses’ bold vision for Jones Beach. He rejected the utilitarian and commercialized designs common at the time, instead imagining grand, architecturally striking structures like a water tower inspired by a Venetian campanile and innovative bathhouses built from expensive materials and designed to blend with the landscape. Despite skepticism from architects and resistance from legislators over budget overruns, Moses pressed on, using political support and strategic maneuvering to bring his vision to life. In the end, the chapter paints Moses as a complicated figure whose mix of idealism, pragmatism, and relentless ambition transformed public recreation in New York.