Update: Then (2017 and 2020) & Now (2026): A sad return to the Long Island Motor Parkway in Garden City
In 2017, eight members of the Long Island Motor Parkway Preservation Society documented the Garden City section of the road from Raymond Court to Clinton Road. Here is a Then (2017 & 2020 ) & Now comparison with photos taken on May 1, 2026. today.
Enjoy,
Howard Kroplick
Location
In 2020, the Village of Garden City constructed additional parking spaces south of the right-of-way. Village officials of Garden City trustees had expressed the intent to preserve this section of the Motor Parkway. Unfortunately it never happend.
April 15, 2017
Behind the Stewart Field heading west to Clinton Road.
A section of the pavement was still there in 2017. It was likely removed sometime between April 2017 and the end of 2019.
The western three-foot concrete extension remained untouched throughout most of this section in 2020 before the construction.
Steve Lucas spots four concrete posts visible under the utility lines.
There was a clear walking pathway to Clinton Road. It is now blocked.
Greg O. examining a post.
My favorite co-author Al Velocci retelling his favorite Motor Parkway tales.
Steve Lucas and Mike Cain.
On top of the Clinton Road Bridge eastern embankment.
From left to right: Al Velocci, Steve Lucas, Greg O. , Howard Kroplick, Brian McCarthy, Frank Femenias and Mike Cain. Photo was taken by Art Kleiner.
Posts on the embankment. In the early 2000s, wood could still be seen between the psots.
July 29, 2020
In July 2020 the new construction uncovered the three-foot concrete extension. Most of this section of the historic road was covered with gravel and cannot be seen.
The parking lot wall was begun in 2020.
August 15, 2020
Although the three-foot concrete extensions remain intact, any pavement in this section had been removed over the last three years.
The parking lot wall.
The section behind Stewart Field being cleared.
The only remaining concrete post in this section.
Just past the construction site are concrete pavement remains that are new since April 2017.
Since the construction site has blocked off foot traffic in 2020, the Motor Parkway area west of the construction site is overgrown with brush and poison ivy. Despite their promises, as of 2026, the Village of Garden City has never cleared this area.
On top of the Clinton Road Bridge embankment looking west.
The view looking east toward Raymond Court. Again, the pathway was totally blocked in 2020.
May 1, 2026
Just west of Raymond Court, the Motor Parkway and its concrete extensions are covered by gravel.
A small section of the road was left uncovered.
The former wonderful walking path to Clinton Road remains blocked.
East of Raymond Court, the concrete extension and several posts can be seen. However, the walking path towards Roosevelt Field is totally blocked.
The former General Manager's Office still looks great!
The former road to the Garden City Lodge now a private road.
Look closely and you can see the concrete remains of the south embankment of the Clinton Road Bridge .
The current view from the top of the Clinton Road Motor Parkway Bridge embankment.
New observation: Across Clinton Road, this property was built on top of the western embankment of the Clinton Road Bridge.
Bottom Line
A favorite Motor Parkway walking path from Raymond Court to Clinton Road is totally blocked by brush and poison ivy. The Village of Garden City destroyed a historic section of the Motor Parkway and abandoned plans to restore it and install a historic marker.
As Joni Mitchell once sung: "They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."
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