What's happening
This bill renames Riverbank State Park after Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr., authorizes several site renamings, and officially designates the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.
Why it matters
Honoring Local Leaders. By renaming major public sites, like Riverbank State Park and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, after Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. and Senator William J. Larkin, Jr., the bill publicly recognizes the lasting contributions of influential New York lawmakers and veterans’ advocates, strengthening the historical and civic identity of these locations.
Impact on Community Recognition. The ceremonial highway and site renamings, especially in New Windsor, directly tie the local landscape to individuals who served those communities, potentially fostering a greater sense of pride and connection among residents and visitors.
Clarifying Landmarks and Official Records. Designating the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge in law and amending references in multiple statutes ensures legal and navigational clarity, reducing confusion for travelers, emergency responders, and those using official documents that reference these major infrastructures.
Reflecting Evolving Values. The removal of previous honorees’ names (e.g., Malcolm Wilson) and their replacement with new ones reflects shifting societal values and priorities, and may prompt public discussion about how and why public spaces are named, remembered, and reinterpreted over time.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Rename Parks and Highways
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to cultural affairs, tourism, parks and recreation
- Returned to senate
- Died in assembly
- Referred to tourism, parks, arts and sports development
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 61–0
- Message of necessity - 3 day message
- Ordered to third reading cal.2230
- Referred to rules
Full text
3 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6827
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 21, 2017
Introduced by Sen. FLANAGAN -- (at request of the Governor) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to renaming Riverbank state park; to authorize the renaming of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; to authorize the renaming of, in whole or in part, the New Windsor Cantonment state historic site; to amend the highway law, in relation to designating certain portions of the state highway system as the "Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. Highway"; and to amend the public authorities law, environmental conservation law and the highway law, in relation to naming the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The parks, recreation and historic preservation law is amended by adding a new section 13.04 to read as follows:
§ 13.04 Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. state park. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the state park known as Riverbank state park located on the upper west side of Manhattan on the banks of the Hudson river shall after the effective date of this section be known as Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. state park and shall be suitably marked in a manner to be prescribed by the commissioner.
§ 2. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner of the New York state office of parks, recreation and historic preservation is authorized to take all steps necessary to obtain the authorization of the Palisades Interstate park commission to rename the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor located in the town of New Windsor to the Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.
§ 3. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the commissioner of the New York state office of parks, recreation and historic preserva-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD12025-02-7
S. 6827 2
tion is authorized to take all steps necessary to obtain the authorization of the Palisades Interstate park commission to rename the New Windsor Cantonment state historic site located in the town of New Windsor, in whole or in part, in honor of Senator William J. Larkin, Jr.
§ 4. The highway law is amended by adding a new section 344-g to read as follows:
§ 344-g. Portion of state highway system to be designated as the "Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. Highway". A portion of state route three hundred, beginning at the intersection of state route three hundred, state route thirty-two and state route ninety-four in New Windsor and ending at the intersection of state route three hundred and state route two hundred seven in New Windsor shall be designated and known as the "Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. Highway".
§ 5. The commissioner of transportation shall provide for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state highway system as designated pursuant to section four of this act. However, to avoid confusion and to limit any possible disruption of commerce, the designations called for pursuant to section four of this act shall be one of ceremonial nature and the official name of such highway shall not be changed as a result of this act.
§ 6. Subdivision 2 of section 356 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 530 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
2. The Hudson section. Beginning at the northerly end of the southern Westchester connection at or near Tuckahoe road, thence in a general northerly and westerly direction crossing the Hudson river at a point south of Highland Falls, which crossing shall be known as "The Governor [Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee] Mario M. Cuomo Bridge", including a highway connection between "The Governor [Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee] Mario M. Cuomo Bridge" and the New England section of the thruway presently known as interstate route two hundred eighty-seven, thence in a general westerly direction to intersect with existing route number seventeen or to a connection with that route, including a thruway connection from that portion of the section west of the Hudson river, generally southerly to a point to be determined by the authority on the New York-New Jersey boundary line.
§ 7. Section 13-0103 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 530 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows: § 13-0103. Marine and coastal district described.
The marine and coastal district shall include the waters of the Atlantic Ocean within three nautical miles from the coast line and all other tidal waters within the state, including the Hudson River up to the Governor [Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee] Mario M. Cuomo bridge.
§ 8. Subdivision 1 of section 13-0307 of the environmental conservation law, as amended by chapter 327 of the laws of 1999, is amended to read as follows:
1. The department periodically shall examine all shellfish lands within the marine district and the Hudson River between the Governor [Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee] Mario M. Cuomo bridge and the federal dam at Troy to ascertain the sanitary condition thereof in accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to section 13-0319 of this title.
§ 9. Section 342-ww of the highway law, as added by chapter 245 of the laws of 2001, is amended to read as follows:
§ 342-ww. Portion of the New York state thruway to be designated as the "Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway". All that portion of the New York state thruway in the county of Rockland constituting interstate
S. 6827 3
route 287 from the New Jersey border to "The Governor [Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee] Mario M. Cuomo Bridge" shall be designated and known as the "Jewish War Veterans Memorial Highway".
§ 10. Subdivision 2 of section 349-a of the highway law, as amended by chapter 530 of the laws of 1993, is amended to read as follows:
2. The Hudson section. Beginning at the northerly end of the southern Westchester connection at or near Tuckahoe road, thence in a general northerly and westerly direction crossing the Hudson river at a point south of Highland Falls, which crossing shall be known as "The Governor [Malcolm Wilson Tappan Zee] Mario M. Cuomo Bridge", thence in a general westerly direction to intersect with existing route number seventeen or to a connection with that route, including a thruway connection from that portion of the section west of the Hudson river, generally southerly to a point to be determined by the authority on the New York-New Jersey boundary line.
§ 11. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the parks, recreation and historic preservation law, in relation to renaming Riverbank state park; to authorize the renaming of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor; to authorize the renaming of, in whole or in part, the New Windsor Cantonment state historic site; to amend the highway law, in relation to designating certain portions of the state highway system as the "Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. Highway"; and to amend the public authorities law, environmental conservation law and the highway law, in relation to naming the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
Purpose of the bill
This legislation would rename Riverbank State Park and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and adjacent roads, and name the new bridge at Tappan Zee to honor the significant contributions of three dedicated public servants.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of the bill would add a new Section 13.04 to the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation law to rename the Riverbank State Park, located on the upper west side of Manhattan, as the "Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. State Park".
Read the full memo (1,077 words)
Sections 2 -5 of the bill would add a new Section 344-g to the Highway Law to rename a portion of state route 300 as the "Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. Highway". Further, the bill would allow the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to take all steps necessary to obtain the authorization of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to rename the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and adjacent parkland in honor of Senator William J. Larkin, Jr.
Sections 6-10 of the bill would amend various provisions of the Public Authorities Law, the Environmental Conservation Law and the Highway Law to name the crossing over the Hudson River to the "Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge".
Section 11 of the bill would make it effective immediately.
Justification
This legislation would rename Riverbank State Park, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor and adjacent roads, and name the new bridge at Tappan Zee to honor the significant contributions of three dedicated public servants.
First, this legislation would honor the distinguished career of Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. Assemblyman Farrell's career of service spans five decades in the New York State Assembly, culminating in his appointment as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. Among his numerous legislative accomplishments, Assemblyman Farrell sponsored the Omnibus Consumer Protection and Banking Legislation Act, and his efforts led to the passage of legislation to provide greater and more accessible taxi service to his district, and the outer Burroughs as a whole.
Assemblyman Farrell has also been a staunch advocate for his district. His tireless efforts led to the state-funded construction of a pedestrian bridge linking Hamilton Heights with Riverbank State Park and the Greenway, thus ensuring safe and efficient access to the Greenway and surrounding parks, including the Riverbank State Park, for his constituents. It is only fitting that the Riverbank State Park be renamed in his honor.
Second, this legislation would honor the distinguished career of Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. Senator Larkin spent the first 23 years of his career in the military and retired from the U.S. Army in 1967 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. In 1979, he was elected to the New York State Assembly. In 1990, Senator Larkin was elected serve the 39th Senate District where he currently sits today.
Senator Larkin has worked tirelessly for his constituents, and has fought to ensure protections necessary for the State's servicemen and women. Among other accomplishments, he has sponsored significant reforms to veterans' benefit laws to increase financial protections for families of U.S. servicemen fighting in the Persian Gulf War, and conflicts in Lebanon, Panama and Grenada. He was also instrumental to the development and completion of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor in New Windsor New York.
To honor his accomplishments and work on behalf of the State's veterans, the legislation would direct the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to work with the Palisades Interstate Park Commission to facilitate renaming the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor to the Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, and for the renaming of all or a portion of the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site in his honor. This bill would also authorize the roads leading up to the Hall of Honor to be remained the Senator William J. Larkin, Jr. Highway.
Finally, this legislation would honor the distinguished career of Governor Mario M. Cuomo. Driven by his steadfast goal of leaving the world a better place and ensuring justice for all, Governor Mario Cuomo served as a moral beacon for the people of New York. As Governor, Mario Cuomo served for three terms from 1983 until 1994. Governor Cuomo also served in the capacities of Lt. Governor from 1979 to 1982, and as Secretary of the State of New York from 1975 to 1978 under Governor Hugh Carey.
As a young lawyer in Queens, Mario Cuomo entered public life by representing working-class homeowners in Corona. The experience forged his commitment to creative problem solving through compromise without losing sight of his firm moral principle. During his tenure as Governor, Mario Cuomo faced numerous challenges, including prison uprisings, the AIDS epidemic, and national economic recession. He was the driving force behind sweeping comprehensive fiscal and ethics reforms, and oversaw the passage of the first seat belt law in New York State.
Additionally, Governor Cuomo took significant action for the health and safety of New York's elderly by making prescription drugs more affordable for seniors and for New York's children by expanding access to health care coverage and educational opportunities. The Governor also served as a moral beacon for the state and the country by vetoing 12 bills over the course of his gubernatorial term that would have reinstated the death penalty. Finally, Governor Cuomo dedicated significant efforts to rebuilding New York's roads and bridges through the establishment of the "Rebuild NY" Transportation Bond Act.
In commemoration of his tremendous service to the state, this bill would name the new bridge at Tappan Zee the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge. The naming of this bridge will serve as a physical reminder of the Governor's lasting and important legacy to New York.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
The bill would take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.