Part 4, Chapter 20 One Year Summary

Moses' first move as Park Commissioner is to fire the top-level boroughs' park staff. He installs his own staff to evaluate the remaining employees. Moses, as usual, circumvents rules to get the staff he requires and the Parks Commission immediately hires 600 men. They have construction crews that work no matter how bad the weather is. They know that if they don't work, they will probably be fired. When the CWA is closed in March 1934 as the economy begins to recover, Moses has to fire half of his men since he has no funds to pay them. By May 1934, 1,700 of the 1,800 renovation projects are complete. New parks and playgrounds are being created and they find unappropriated land and unclaimed funds to use. The number of playgrounds is doubled in less than one year.

In December 1934, the Central Park...