The area is also used for destroying unexploded bombs. Many bombs have been detonated since 1930, including ones made by George Metesky, the Weathermen, the Black Panthers, the Animal Liberation Front, al-Qaeda, and serial bomber Cesar Sayoc. These explosives are always detonated at the southernmost point that juts out into Eastchester Bay in a crater called "The Pit". Around July 2 every year, impressive impromptu volcanic displays are put on as seized illegal fireworks are destroyed. The range was intended as a temporary facility, according to the plans laid out by Robert Moses and Mayors Robert F. Wagner, Jr., John Lindsay, and Abraham D. Beame. However, Mayor Ed Koch favored it becoming permanent. The range was previously part of Pelham Bay Park. In the late 1980s, Governor Mario Cuomo signed an eminent domain law separating this land from the park and giving the NYPD the right to stay permanently. The range was to have been converted into the Olympic Firing Range for the unsuccessful New York City 2012 Olympic bid. A widely used paper target figure officially known as "Advanced Silhouette SP-83A" or target "B-60" may have been developed in the early 1960s as a likeness of Sergeant Fred V. Worell, an instructor at the range. The target is colloquially known as "The Thug". In April 2007, the NYPD announced that all gun practice would move to a new indoors facility in College Point, Queens. Due to shortages in funding, the move was canceled and it was deemed cheaper to renovate Rodman's Neck for $275 million. References External links - NYPD Rodman's Neck Firing Range Rodman's Neck History Robert Moses Meadow Long Island Sound Landforms of the Bronx Peninsulas of New York (state) Parks in the Bronx New York City Police Department Pelham Bay Park