Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

November 01, 2024

Dan Keefe | (518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov

New Installment of New York State Parks’ Interactive Digital Timeline Explores the Rockefeller Era of the 1960s

Educational Tool Part of Multi-Faceted, Yearlong Centennial Celebration

Rockefeller Era Joins Exploration of World War II and the Post-War Period

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation today announced the release of a new installment of the interactive, online timeline ‘Blazing a Trail: A History of New York State Parks and Historic Sites' in celebration of New York State Parks' Centennial. This project employs photographs, illustrations, paintings, documents, archival footage, maps, and narrative to tell the story of the development of the New York State Parks system.

This era, titled "Rockefellers' World," marked a significant shift in leadership at Parks as longtime chair Robert Moses exited the agency after a clash with Governor Nelson Rockefeller. Rockefeller's brother Laurence became the new chair of the State Council of Parks. With a firm belief in the essential nature of outdoor recreation and the vital importance of environmental conservation guiding the brothers, they restructured the agency and expanded the system to meet an overwhelming demand for outdoor recreation. They also introduced cultural offerings, returning state historic sites to the auspices of parks and opening Artpark and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The newest installment, "The Rockefeller Era," is available here, along with previously released eras.

"As we learn about the ideals that guided the development of the system during this era, we see strong parallels in the values that guide our agency's work to this day, particularly the importance of nature and outdoor recreation to physical and mental wellness and the urgent need to conserve our shared environment," said Commissioner Pro Tempore of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Randy Simons.  "As ‘Blazing A Trail' moves into more contemporary eras which many New Yorkers will remember, it is our hope that the timeline sparks nostalgia, encourages conversations between generations, and offers a different lens through which to view these eras. I invite you to join the more than 6,000 people who have viewed this innovative project."

In the first eras, users learned about the drive to conserve natural spaces during the rapid development of the late 1800s and the shift in focus from preservation to recreation. They met leaders who were instrumental in creating the system of parks and historic sites we know today and guiding its development. The third era took users into the Great Depression and New Deal years, exploring how this challenging time for the park system became a watershed moment with the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps, and examining the role of the park system during World War II. In the fourth era, users got a look at the seismic societal shifts in the post-war period through the lens of the park system.

Additional eras launching throughout the next few months will cover the creation of the modern Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP), efforts to expand the agency's diverse portfolio of parks, further codification of historic preservation, the rise of urban and linear parks, the shifting challenges of conservation, and the recovery from disinvestment induced by the Great Recession. The remaining eras are 1972-1999, 2000-Today, and Tomorrow and Beyond. Each era includes the individual histories of the parks and sites added in the timeframe.

‘Blazing A Trail' is one of several initiatives celebrating the Parks Centennial. Others include an exhibit in the New York State Capitol's State Street Tunnel currently on view; the Share Your Story project, which invites people to tell their own stories relating to Parks and Sites; the Centennial Challenge, which encourages people to win prizes by participating in various activities at parks and sites; the release of the Centennial Collection merchandise; and the launch of the documentary "From Land To Legacy," produced by PBS affiliate WMHT. Centennial events and exhibits, ranging from parties to special hikes and programs, will continue at individual parks and historic sites through the close of 2024.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation