More on the History of Manor Shore Park in the Village of Pelham Manor

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The origins of today's Manor Shore Park, known as Shore Park, extend back to at least the early 1870s when all Pelham residents had access there to the waters of Long Island Sound from a Town Dock located there.  Eventually, however, the Town lost the easement that provided its access to that town dock.  This set off a string of events that, over the next two decades, led to the establishment of a park restricted so that only residents of the Village of Pelham Manor and their guests could use it.

I have written before about the history relating to Shore Park in Pelham Manor and the origins of its usage restrictions to residents of the Village of Pelham Manor and their guests.  See, e.g.:

Tue., Jul. 21, 2015:  More on the Restriction of Shore Park to Pelham Manor Residents.

Mon., Apr. 20, 2015:  The Beginnings of Today's Shore Park in Pelham Manor.

Wed., Dec. 31, 2014:  Town of Pelham Seeks Grant of Underwater Land to Build Town Dock in 1871.

Fri., Jan. 06, 2006:  Pelham Loses its Right To Use the Town Dock in the Early 1900s. 

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog transcribes a very brief newspaper article published in 1932 that sheds interesting additional light on the history of Shore Park.  According to the article, the reason Shore Park was conceived and created was to provide a "bathing beach."  As the article put it, in 1928 Village of Pelham Manor officials "took steps to acquire a small section of waterfront property for the purpose of establishing a park for the use of citizens of the village as a bathing beach."  (Don't kid yourself.  The Village had lost access to the "Town Dock" and was determined to regain access.)

Even more interesting is the focus of the article.  In 1932 the New York State Land Board made additional grants of land under water to permit the planned -- and then under construction -- Shore Park to extend into Long Island Sound as far as the bulkhead line of the adjacent New York Athletic Club on Travers Island.  The additional State grants were expected to add about two acres to the park.  

Today there are two important groups who use this spectacular waterfront park:  (1) those permitted to enjoy the park with their dogs off leash between the time it opens until 9:00 a.m.; and (2) those who enjoy the park for countless other recreational reasons including jogging, barbecuing, playing, and so much more!    

Manor Shore Park With Long Island Sound and Portion

of Hunter Island Visible in the Distance.  Photograph by

the Author, Taken on April 19, 2015.  NOTE:  Click on 

Image to Enlarge.

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Below is a transcription of the text of the article referenced above. It is followed by a citation and link to its source.  

"INCREASE SIZE OF SHORE FRONT PARK IN MANOR
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New State Grant of Underwater Land Will Increase Area of Park to Seven Acres
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Additional grants of land under water made by the State Land board to the Village of Pelham Manor will increase the area of the proposed Long Island Sound shore-front park by two acres, it was reported at the meeting of the Board of Trustees on Wednesday night.  The new bulkhead line of the park will conform to the bulkhead line of the property of the New York Athletic Club.

The proposed park, which will embrace seven acres of shore-front land, is being filled in by the village.  Four years ago, the village officials took steps to acquire a small section of waterfront property for the purpose of establishing a park for the use of citizens of the village as a bathing beach.  Subsequent grants of land under water have increased that area to a substantial size.

After filling in the property will be landscaped and park improvements made.  There will be a channel of 100-foot width between the new park and Hunter Island in which Pelham Manor residents will enjoy marine sports."

Source:  INCREASE SIZE OF SHORE FRONT PARK IN MANOR -- New State Grant of Underwater Land Will Increase Area of Park to Seven Acres, The Pelham Sun, Feb. 26, 1932, p. 8, col. 8.

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