Ever
since Robert Moses was a member of the swimming team, while attending Yale
University this young man was known to others for wanting to “dedicate his life
to public service” (Caro, pg.1). Many individuals do not always continue their
initial goal in life, but this was not the case for Robert Moses. This man grew
up to be acknowledged for his physical development of New York’s highway
system, creation of homes and buildings, establishment of parks, beaches and
much more. The physical growth of all his architecture has not only helped many
people commute easily, live more comfortably and enjoy New York life, this
creation has showed many people that with hard work, dedication and passion
along with many other characteristics, accomplishments can be achieved. Robert
Moses made a significant impact on New York as a whole.
The
day Robert Moses was “Sworn in as City Park Commissioner and as City
Construction Coordinator” (Caro, pg3) is
the day New York was about to see a physical change coming ahead. Many ideas swimming through his head that once
an idea was about to become reality in his upcoming days. Even with holding
this position Moses had to receive approval from higher officials above him, but
always when proposing an idea he “always had his facts ready “regarding to why
certain places should be rebuilt to a new place. Of course with any new idea controversy
arose because of the different opinions and views of the situation individuals
saw, but Moses saw the benefit of his work and continued regardless of what
anyone thought.
Moses
was and is still to this present day considered the “Master Road Builder” (pg.
493). Moses constructed every highway many have driven on today. With the “exception
of the East River Drive” (Caro, pg 6) highways include “The Grand Central Parkway, Interborough (now
Jackie Robinson) Parkway, Clearview Expressway, Laurelton Parkway, Long Island
Expressway, Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, and the Whitestone Expressway.”(Wright,
pg.493). The expansion of this was a huge success because without these modes
of transportation many individuals would not get to know and experience life
beyond taking the subways and living in places besides the urban area. However,
a lot of disagreement existed within the time Moses was doing his work. Many
individuals were upset because he was breaking down neighborhoods to complete
his work and not worrying about their living arrangements. For example “he
evicted tens of thousands of poor non white persons”(Caro, pg 20) and replaced
them with “ not housing for the poor, but for the rich” (pg 20). However, one
must come to realize to fix the bad, one must get rid of it or no full change
will occur. Even though he did remove certain people from their homes he did
“try to place swimming pools and park facilities within reach of black
families” (Jackson, pg.70). One cannot do everything right but the start in the
right path will make and did make a huge difference in New York.
Besides
the creation of the highway system and places to live Moses built interesting
and memorable places such as Flushing Park which is where the Famous World’s Fair
took place first time in queens. He also built many state parks and a certain
beach that are well known till this day. Moses constructed Flushing Meadow Park
for its’ first World’s Fair. “in 1936” ( Robert Moses and the Modern Park
System, 2012) and the Fair took place in 1939.
Jones Beach one of the
most visited beaches of long island in the summer was the creation of Robert
Moses. Every year this park is filled with people at all times of the day,
swimming, viewing shows/concerts or just relaxing reading a book.
As
one can see Robert Moses made a big impact in our society throughout the years
and his impact still remains till this day. If it was not for him apartments
would not be as developed as it is today, cars would not be as essential, and suburbs
would be nonexistent. In addition, leisure time would be hard to find for kids
and adults without the creation of parks, playgrounds and beaches. Although any
other person could have done this Robert Moses was the first person to do it
which makes him an important person too many individuals.
References
Caro, R.A. (1974). The
Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York pg ( 1-20)
United
States
Presentin Wright, C.V.
(2008). Blue Guide: New York (4th ed.,) pg (493) United States
Robert Moses and the
Modern park System Retrived September 19th, 2012 from
Jackson, K.T., Robert
Moses and the Rise of New York: The Power Broker in Prespective
Retrieved
September 19th, 2012 from http://nexus.umn.edu/Courses/Cases/CE5212/F2009/CS3/Moses.pdf
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