The namesake of this park is James A. Sherry (1889-1955), the Chief Park Administrator under former Parks Commissioner Robert Moses (1889-1981). For 40 years, Robert Moses served as the master builder of the City of New York. He played a primary role in the development of its parks, transportation, and housing. Beginning in 1924, he held a dozen city and state positions, many concurrently. Invested with this authority, Moses constructed 416 miles of highway, 13 bridges, 658 playgrounds, 17 miles of beach, 11 swimming pools, zoos, recreation centers, and ball fields; he more than doubled the city's park acreage to 34,673 acres. Moses is remembered as the man who built the city that New York is today, and aides such as Sherry were integral to his success.