Located in southern Suffolk County, Robert Moses State Park has long been known for its five-miles of sprawling beaches– a setting that serves as an idyllic backdrop for swimming, surfing and fishing. Yet, since sustaining significant damage from Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, the park beach has been on a mission to reclaim its great reputation, and come back even better and stronger than before.
Helping to further this aim, in March 2014, Former Governor Cuomo announced the allocation of $23 million in federal funding for a beach stabilization and infrastructure protection project at the site. Although the beach was re-opened last summer ahead of the busy tourism season, it will now undergo a series of measures to strengthen shoreline buffers and safeguard the Robert Moses traffic circle and Ocean Parkway from future storms.
Robert Moses Parkway: Before and After
“The destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy to Long Island’s parks and beaches was unprecedented and our long-term rebuilding process continues today,” the former governor said at the time of the announcement. “With this new federal funding, we can build on those emergency repairs with measures that will strengthen and protect the natural infrastructure at the park from future storms. This is a critical part of our efforts to not just build back, but to reimagine our state’s beaches and parks for a new reality – ensuring that Robert Moses State Park remains a popular coastal destination for New Yorkers and visitors.”
Through its comprehensive portfolio of NY Rising Programs, the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR) aims to help the State recover, while fortifying and safeguarding its tremendous assets, landmarks and natural treasures. With beaches and dunes playing a substantial role in shielding nearby communities from dangerous weather events, the enhancements at Robert Moses State Park are critically-important in New York’s progress.
As part of the undertaking, as much as 600,000 cubic yards of sand will be placed to nourish beaches, enhance the dunes and restore native vegetation. Additionally, the State Boat Cannel will be dredged to yield an estimated 400,000 cubic yards of sand, while simultaneously improving navigation to the channel. Founded in 1908, Robert Moses is Long Island’s oldest State Park and is a staple of the region’s tourism industry. In 2012, just prior to Superstorm Sandy, more than 3.2 million people visited the park, making it the third most popular park in New York.
Funding for the improvements comes from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG – DR) program. In May, HUD allocated a third and final tranche of such funding–$600 million– to continue addressing unmet recovery needs throughout New York State. The last round of aid brings New York’s total allocation to $8 billion, with $4.4 billion being set aside for NY Rising programs.
To learn more about Robert Moses State Park, visit the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation or read the March 2014
press release about improvements to Robert Moses State Park.
Dredging and Beach Replenishment at Robert Moses State Park