What's happening
This bill directs the state to acquire land in Brooklyn via eminent domain for a state park honoring Marylander Green, America's first battle memorial.
Why it matters
Sets a precedent for using eminent domain to create historical parks. , which could influence future decisions about balancing public memory and private property rights in New York.
Elevates the importance of Revolutionary War history in Brooklyn. , potentially strengthening local identity and promoting educational tourism related to Marylander Green and early American military sacrifice.
Directly impacts current property owners and neighborhood dynamics. at 170 Eighth Street, raising questions about compensation, community input, and the disruption or benefits to local residents.
Signals state-level prioritization of under-recognized historical figures and events. , which may affect how other marginalized or lesser-known histories are commemorated across the state.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Create Marylander Green State Park
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to judiciary
- Referred to judiciary
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Create Marylander Green State Park
In Assembly Committee · Judiciary · Sponsor Jo Anne Simon
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
2446
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 13, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HAMILTON -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT requiring the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to take a parcel of land through the eminent domain procedure for a state park commemorating Marylander Green, America's first battle memorial
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The legislature hereby finds that it is necessary for a public purpose to procure certain property within the city of New York. To that extent, the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation is hereby directed to take, through the use of the eminent domain procedure as established under the eminent domain procedure law, the parcel in the borough of Brooklyn known as 170 Eighth Street, Brooklyn, Block 1003 Lot 11, for a state park commemorating Marylander Green, America's first battle memorial.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00727-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act requiring the commissioner of parks, recreation and historic preservation to take a parcel of land through the eminent domain procedure for a state park commemorating Marylander Green, America's first battle memorial
Purpose
This bill would require the State Commissioner of Park, Recreation and Historic Preservation to acquire the 170 Eighth Street in Brooklyn by eminent domain for the purpose of creating a state park commemorating Maryland Heroes from the Battle of Brooklyn (Long Island) in the American Revolution., America's first battle memorial
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: Legislative findings, Location of site
Section 2: Effective Date
Existing law
No current law dealing with Marylander Park
Justification
The subject property, 170 - 8 Street, Lot 11 on Block 1003 in the Borough of Brooklyn, has long been recognized as part of the area where the 256 Maryland Heroes were buried who died covering the retreat of the Continental Army on August 27, 1776. The Gowanus/Park Slope area, where the site is located, has undergone drastic changes in the last 15 years. Deindustrialization, coupled with a striking increase in property values, have led to the demolition of many older buildings in the neighborhood that were part of the first wave of commercial and tenement construction after 1890, and which were cited in the historical evidence as overlying the Marylanders' graves, making locating any human remains more difficult. Many have already been replaced by luxury housing.
The subject property, the only vacant land that is part of the Marylander Burial Site, is for sale and is likely to be redeveloped as luxury housing absent any public action, leading to obscuring the burials forever.
There is no onsite recognition of the Maryland Heroes, who have been the subject of memorialization efforts by both the states of New York and Maryland, the federal government, and local citizens, since at least 1900. The sacrifice of the Maryland Heroes saved the American Revolution, and remains a subject of historical research by the state of Maryland. Substantial assistance from Maryland, the federal government and other jurisdictions is anticipated.
Legislative history
New Legislation
Fiscal implications
Fiscal Impact to the State to be determined by land acquisition cost as well as there will be future costs to operate and maintain the newly created park.
Local fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.