Since 1847, the NYS constitution requires that if the state legislature wants the state to take on debts over a certain $ amount, its 2 houses (the senate and assembly) would have to pass a law explaining the specific purpose of the debt, and then ask NYS voters if they want the state to take on that debt.

In 1910, the NYS legislature asked the voters:

"Shall chapter three hundred sixty-three of the laws of nineteen hundred and ten, entitled 'An act making provision for issuing bonds to an amount not exceeding two million five hundred thousand dollars, for the use of the commissioners of the Palisades Interstate park in the extension and improvement of the park under their jurisdiction as from time to time such park may exist, and providing for a submission of the same to the people, to be voted upon at the general election to be held in the year nineteen hundred and ten, be approved,' at a general election held in the said State, on the 8th day of November, in the year 1910, wherein the several counties in which the said votes were given are distinguished."

And the voters said: Yes!