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Ocean Parkway (Long Island)

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This article is about the parkway on southern Long Island. For the parkway on western Long Island, see Ocean Parkway (Brooklyn).
Ocean Parkway marker
Ocean Parkway
Map
Ocean Parkway highlighted in red
Route information
Maintained by NYSDOT
Length15.59 mi[1] (25.09 km)
Major junctions
West end Meadowbrook State Parkway / Bay Parkway at Jones Beach
Major intersections Wantagh State Parkway at Jones Beach
East end Robert Moses Causeway at Captree State Park
Location
CountryUnited States
StateNew York
CountiesNassau, Suffolk
Highway system
Ocean Parkway
LocationJones Beach Island
Part ofJones Beach State Park, Causeway and Parkway System
NRHP reference No.05000358[2]
Added to NRHPApril 28, 2005

The Ocean Parkway (abbreviated as OP) is a 15.59-mile (25.09 km) limited-access parkway that traverses Jones Beach Island between Jones Beach State Park and Captree State Park on Long Island, New York, United States. It begins at the southern terminus of the Meadowbrook State Parkway and heads east across Jones Beach Island, intersecting the south end of the Wantagh State Parkway before ending just past the Robert Moses Causeway.

The highway is designated New York State Route 909D (NY 909D), an unsigned reference route – and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing asset to the Jones Beach State Park, Causeway and Parkway System historic district.

Route description

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The Ocean Parkway eastbound approaching the Wantagh State Parkway in Jones Beach

The Ocean Parkway begins at a cloverleaf interchange with the southern terminus of the Meadowbrook State Parkway and the Bay Parkway in Jones Beach State Park. Proceeding eastward, the Ocean Parkway parallels the Bay Parkway through Jones Beach State Park, running along the beachfront and past multiple recreational facilities. Just after a connection to the Bay Parkway, the four-lane parkway passes a parking lot for Jones Beach, along with a turnoff into a secondary lot for the bathhouse and the Jones Beach Theatre. In front of that turnoff, the westbound lanes pass two ramps that lead to a large parking lot that spans the gap between the Ocean and Bay parkways. After the parking lot, the Ocean Parkway enters a roundabout around the Jones Beach Water Tower (locally known as "The Pencil"), marking the southern terminus of the Wantagh State Parkway.[3][4]

After the Wantagh, the Ocean Parkway continues east along the beachfront, passing another large parking lot on the westbound lanes and additional access to facilities at Jones Beach on the eastbound lanes. The four-lane parkway then begins to run between the beachfront and the shore for Zachs Bay, a section of South Oyster Bay. Passing multiple u-turn ramps between directions, the parkway soon leaves Jones Beach State Park and enters a piece of the town of Oyster Bay. Passing south of Guggenheim Pond, the Ocean Parkway continues east as the four-lane arterial it was in the park, soon entering Tobay Beach Park, where the median expands for a short distance. In the center of the park, the parkway reaches the parking lots on the westbound lanes and the Tobay Beach bathhouse on the eastbound lanes. A cross under is provided under the lanes of the Ocean for people to safely cross the parkway.[3]

A short distance from the bathhouse, the Ocean Parkway leaves Tobay Beach Park and enters Suffolk County and the Town of Babylon. Entering the hamlet of West Gilgo Beach, the parkway runs alongside many beachfront residences, with an intersection from the westbound lanes to the community. Soon entering Gilgo Beach, the Ocean passes several more bayside residences along the Great South Bay. The parkway expands to six lanes as it passes the access to Gilgo Beach and crosses over the pedestrian tunnel connecting the parking lot and the beach. Near the pedestrian tunnel, the parking lot is accessed via a tolled entrance from the westbound lanes. As the Ocean Parkway leaves Gilgo Beach, the six-lane parkway crosses into Gilgo State Park.[3]

The Ocean Parkway eastbound approaching the Babylon town beaches

Through Gilgo State Park, the Ocean Parkway develops a wide, grassy median between the six lanes. Passing another section of the Great South Bay, the parkway soon leaves the park, where the median returns, thins out and access is provided to another beach and recreational facilities, as the road passes the Cedar Beach Golf Course. Entering another section of Gilgo State Park, the Ocean Parkway evens out eastward before leaving the park for the hamlet of Oak Beach. Crossing north of several oceanside residences, the parkway soon crosses between the Atlantic Ocean and Oak Island as it reaches the center of the hamlet. Before paralleling Captree Island, the parkway expands with a wider median once again, entering Captree State Park. A short distance into the park, the Ocean Parkway enters a cloverleaf interchange with the Robert Moses Causeway.[3]

After the causeway, the Ocean Parkway reduces to four lanes as it crosses into the town of Islip, reaching the tollbooths that mark the eastern terminus of the Ocean. On the other side of the tollbooths, the right-of-way enters another roundabout and connects to another beach and the local marina in Captree State Park.[3]

History

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Originally, there had been plans to extend the parkway to nearby Fire Island, and two attempts were made to authorize construction. However, residents resisted the plan: the first time for economic reasons, the second for environmental reasons.[4][5][6] Although the Robert Moses Causeway was extended from its original terminus on Captree Island to Fire Island in 1964, leading to the potential extension of Ocean Parkway, park legislation in the 1960s blocked further plans to extend the parkway.[4][5]

During the 2000s and early 2010s, several discarded bodies were discovered along the Ocean Parkway.[7][8] The discoveries received widespread media coverage and prompted a major police investigation into the crimes.[7][8][9][10] In July 2023, Rex Heuermann was arrested in three of the murders and charged as a prime suspect in a fourth.[7][10]

In 2005, the Ocean Parkway – along with several other Long Island parkways – was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as part of a historic district, known as the Jones Beach State Park, Causeway and Parkway System.[11]

The eastbound direction of the parkway was significantly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.[12][13] The westbound side of the road was reconfigured into a two-lane, two-way highway while the eastbound lanes were repaired.[14]

Exit list

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All exits are unnumbered.

CountyLocationmi[1]kmDestinationsNotes
NassauJones Beach State Park0.000.00
 Meadowbrook State Parkway north		Continuation north
Bay Parkway – Theater, West End Beaches
2.003.22
 Wantagh State Parkway north		Roundabout; southern terminus of Wantagh State Parkway
SuffolkWest Gilgo Beach7.0011.27West Gilgo BeachEastbound access is via center median u-turn ramp
Captree State Park15.2724.57 Robert Moses Causeway – Robert Moses State Park
15.5925.09Fee booths (eastbound)
15.7025.27Captree Boat BasinRoundabout; eastern terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway

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In March 2021, the Ocean Parkway Shared Use Path was completed, making it possible to bike or walk from Jones Beach's West End beaches to the Jones Beach Theater, and further east to Captree State Park in Suffolk County.[15][16][17] The Greenway connects into mainland Long Island via the Ellen Farrant Shared-Use Path alongside the Wantagh State Parkway terminating in Seaford's Cedar Creek Park.[18][19]

References

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  1. ^ a b "2007 Traffic Data Report for New York State" (PDF). New York State Department of Transportation. July 25, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2009.
  2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c d e Microsoft; Nokia. "overview map of the Ocean Parkway" (Map). Bing Maps. Microsoft. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  4. ^ a b c "Compact NYSDOT Highway Record Plans: Beginning 1900". State of New York. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Caro, Robert (1974). Power Broker.
  6. ^ Bolger, Timothy (June 13, 2019). "Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Jones Beach". www.longislandpress.com. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Spangler, Nicholas (July 30, 2023). "Gilgo Beach killings: Ocean Parkway thickets masked dumping ground". Newsday. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Burke, Minyvonne (May 23, 2020). "Gilgo Beach murders: Long Island police ID another victim of the unsolved killings". NBC News. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Stelloh, Tim (November 10, 2023). "A secret room and a jarring first date: Gilgo Beach murders suspect set off alarm bells". NBC News. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Sanchez, Ray (July 16, 2023). "'The day has finally come': Years in the making, evidence leads investigators to Rex Heuermann". CNN. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  11. ^ "NHRP Listing: Jones Beach State Park, Causeway and Parkway System". United States National Park Service. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  12. ^ Gallucci, Jaclyn (November 6, 2012). "Long Island Hurricane Sandy Road Closings & Delays – Tuesday". Long Island Press. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  13. ^ "Parts of Jones Beach Reopen After Sandy". WNBC-TV. New York City. Associated Press. November 15, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  14. ^ Crichton, Sarah (November 17, 2012). "Challenges ahead in rebuilding of Ocean Parkway". AM New York. Retrieved November 21, 2012.
  15. ^ "Governor Cuomo announces completion of the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway's final section three months ahead of schedule" (Press release). New York State Department of Transportation. March 3, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2022. Completion of the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway's third and final phase completes eight years of work on shared use paths along the entirety of the Jones Beach Barrier Island. The Greenway's first phase was completed in 2013 and runs from the Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway along the Wantagh State Parkway to the Jones Beach Boardwalk. The second phase that runs from Jones Beach to Tobay Beach was completed in 2014. The trail also connects to the Jones Beach Shared Use Leisure Path on the barrier island's west end, which was completed ahead of schedule in 2019.
  16. ^ "Final Design Report: Ocean Parkway Shared-use Path; Wantagh State Parkway to Robert Moses Causeway, Nassau and Suffolk counties in cooperation with the Towns of Islip, Babylon, Oyster Bay and Hempstead" (PDF). New York State Department of Transportation. March 2011. p. II-3. PIN 0006.11. Retrieved September 26, 2022. 🚲 Get it constructed ASAP. We have beautiful beaches that should be accessible other than to driving a car
  17. ^ "Exploring the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway on Long Island's South Shore". Mommy Poppins. April 5, 2021. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  18. ^ "Long, scenic and family-friendly bike trails on Long Island: Scenic Ride: Ellen Farrant Bicycle Path". Newsday. Retrieved September 26, 2022. Also known as the Jones Beach Bikeway, this is the long trail one sees while driving down the Wantagh Pkwy. south of Merrick Rd. The trip technically starts at the entrance of Cedar Creek Park (3340 Merrick Rd., Seaford). After riding through the park a bit, you'll see a statue of a man on a bicycle — from there, continue along the path to the bikeway which hugs the east side of the parkway. [...]The route passes through Field 5 at Jones Beach State Park before connecting to the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway, which follows Ocean Pkwy. and wraps at Tobay Beach. If including the Greenway, the ride is about 7.6 miles from Cedar Creek Park; end at Field 5 and it's around 5.3 miles.
  19. ^ "Jones Beach Bike Trail". wikimapia.org. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
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