Kleiner’s Korner: Petting Parties on the Motor Parkway
The popularity of the Motor Parkway as a location for "petting parties" led to multiple burglaries and attacks on young adults. Citizens and government officials looked to the managers of the Motor Parkway to provide security most often to no avail.
Art Kleiner
In the early 1920s these "petting parties" were often viewed as unethical behavior that led to disaster among the newly married. (The Evening World Dec. 27, 1921)
Long Island roads were often used for petting parties, with the Motor Parkway a prime choice. (New York Daily News Aug. 13, 1924)
The area around Lake Success was a popular site for petting parties. (New York Daily News Aug. 13, 1924)
Perhaps the sign should also include "no petting".
A pleasant spot for some extra-curricular activity!
The two motorcycle police officers of the Motor Parkway could not adequately protect the participants of the petting parties! (New York Daily News Aug. 13, 1924)
Because after all "For boys are boys and girls are girls - and always the twain shall park!". (New York Daily News Aug. 13, 1924)
Today's view of Lake Success still affords a nice view, however not as private as back in the petting party days.
A series of crimes attracted more attention to petting parties than boys and girls probably wanted. (New York Daily News Sept. 24, 1924)
As a result of an attack on a young couple on the Motor Parkway in 1924, Nassau County instituted a campaign against petting parties. (New York Daily News Sept. 24, 1924)
New York Daily News Sept. 24, 1924
New York Daily News Sept. 24, 1924
One "eye witness" suggested not granting of passes to users of the Motor Parkway after dark! "That's where every nine out of ten couples entering the parkway leave their morals at the gate as they enter." (New York Daily News May 14, 1925)
Other attacks were reported in the coming years. (New York Daily News June 20, 1926)
In 1926 Nassau County police and the Motor Parkway patrol cooperated on solving the problem of cars parking on the roadway after dark. Think they were successful? (New York Daily News Jun. 20, 1926)
And localities also instituted fines for parking in the dark. (The Patchogue Advance Apr. 6, 1928)
Sometimes the attackers of the petting parties were apprehended. Probably many times not! (The Suffolk County News Dec. 13, 1929)
For more information on petting parties, read this 21015 NPR post " When 'Petting Parties' Scandalized The Nation."
Comments
There were Petting Parties, but no dogs or cats ? I’m confused. LOL
I do believe the people were there to watch the Submarine Races.
Petting Parties is a completely new phrase to me….
A part of Long Island history I’d never heard of before!
On a similar note, the automobile was used as a fast means as early as 1900 for a loving couple to make their escape to elope as this article indicates. Fathers should better learn how to drive an automobile to stop such elopements.
I’m assuming Echoville refers to Echo, which is today’s Port Jefferson Station. Interesting that the Echo Arms Adult Home is today located in Port Jefferson Station keeping the name alive. Article is from “The Motor World Nov., 1900.
Neat!
Would this have been considered a hands-free distraction while driving?