The future of Jamaica Bay

Moses, Robert

Document written to persuade the city of New York to end the planning of industrial development of Jamaica Bay, and focus instead on recreational uses and protection of its natural resources. The conflict between the deflated industrial plan of 1922 to transform Jamaica Bay's 18,000 acres into a vast industrial port and ship terminal and the residential and recreational program of 1938 is basic and irrepressible. This is not a question to leave to land speculators and crackpot industrial theorists. The industrial plan of 1922 will never be successful, but it will ruin Jamaica Bay for housing and play. As a matter of fact, there is adequate port space for expansion for a great number of years, exclusive of Jamaica Bay, particularly along the shores of Staten Island. Jamaica Bay is the only large remaining area in New York City whose character is undetermined. The new program, which the NYC Parks Department presents to Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, calls for a complete rezoning of the bay and its surrounding area, transferring all islands to the Parks Department for recreational use, including protection of scenery and waters.