One of the most notable instances of opposition to Robert Moses initiatives in Central Park came in April of 1956.  The uproar came with the plans to construct a parking lot for the posh restaurant, Tavern on the Green.  The parking lot would be built over a large grassy and tree covered area that was frequented by neighborhood mothers, nannies, and their children.  A petition was collected and with just twenty-three signatures construction was delayed.  Shortly after Moses decided to proceed with plans and ordered bulldozers to the site without any notice to residents.  Outraged, some residents managed to assemble in front of the bulldozers just in time.  Not surprisingly, this event received wide media coverage.  For example, on New York Times reporter wrote that if this land were somewhere else there would be nothing to get excited about.  But Central Park is different.  To New Yorkers, and especially those who live near the Park, it is sacred land.  To use it for anything but park is like insulting the flag.(31)

      Despite the outrage, a week after the protest Moses decided to begin construction, but this time he began under the cloak of night.  Bulldozers mercilessly paved over grass and downed trees much to the chagrin of the residents.  Thankfully however, in July of that year the Parks Department announced that construction on the parking lot would not continue.(32)