What is a Parkway? How NJ’s Garden State Parkway Got its Name

There are highways, freeways, and good old roads. But what is a "parkway?"

It's a question almost every out-of-town relative or friend has asked you.

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We know where the "Garden State" comes from, but what about Parkway?

The construction of the Garden State Parkway was a game changer as the state population was hitting new highs.

By the 1940s, there were also many more cars on the road.

Existing county routes were becoming painfully crowded, especially during the summer months.

Routes one and nine were already heavily concentrated and created extreme traffic risks.

It's hard to believe that there was a time when NJ traffic was worse than it is now.

New York and Northern Jersey people began doing more than vacations in South Jersey and the Shore. They were moving there.

This made creating a road that quickly connected the north and south more critical than ever.

Back in the day, it took hours to get to the beach on a one-lane road.

In fact, when the Parkway opened, it was a one-lane stretch, just with a faster speed limit.

New Jersey officials were looking to capitalize on beach tourism, and the construction of this road would make it easier to get to the Shore.

New Jersey had struggled for decades, and in some cases, it still does when it comes to reputation.

Some think of New Jersey and immediately think of the big cities and Newark Airport.

The builders of the Garden State Parkway went out of their way to ensure that the road connected the state through the best natural and untouched areas.

Trees were planted along the edges and in the center medians to give it that natural look.

The project for Garden State Parkway dates back to the late 40s’.

The first section of the longest parkway in the New York-New Jersey area was built and opened in 1950.

Most of the work was completed within seven years, in 1957.

Why is the Garden State Parkway called a "parkway?"

The Garden State Parkway is called a “parkway” because the plan was for it to be much more than your average road.

Builders sought "elegance and serenity" - a scenic route like driving through a park.

Many years have passed, and not all of the GSP's original beauty has stood the test of time, but the scenery is still better than most roads in the state.