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Quiz about New York State Parkway System
Quiz about New York State Parkway System

New York State Parkway System Trivia Quiz


Much of the traffic in and around New York City is handled by the roads that make up New York's "Parkway" system. Here's a quiz about them. (Watch for hints)

A multiple-choice quiz by mike32768. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
mike32768
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
280,217
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
357
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. This powerful man was the impetus behind much of the building of the extensive New York state parkway system during the 1930s and 1940s. A state park and highway on Long Island are named after him. Who was this controversial man with a legacy of near biblical proportions? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The western terminus of Long Island's Northern State Parkway flows directly into which other "great" Long Island highway? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. When driving along Long Island's Grand Central Parkway, which travels through Queens, which of the following NY attractions will you NOT pass by? (Hint: It's in the Bronx.) Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Why are so many NY highways called "parkways"? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. For the most part, New York's parkway construction meets freeway standards. What characteristics differentiate them from true US interstate highways? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. One parkway takes you quite far upstate from the NY City area, nearly all the way to Albany, NY. It is rather unique in that it has several same-level cross streets at the northern end. What parkway with the American Indian sounding name is this? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. This Long Island parkway is a relatively short, north-south highway and takes one to a park with the same name. The road and park are named after the marshy terrain on which the park was built. Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Ocean Parkway runs east-west along a barrier island south of Long Island proper. It is the only road that connects much of this island area together. Which of the following is one of its unique qualities? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. "The Hutch" is a parkway that runs through the Bronx. Its southern terminus is at the Bruckner Interchange where it becomes the Whitestone Expressway (I-678) which then crosses the Whitestone Bridge. Its northern end becomes the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut. What is the full name of this parkway? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Built to offload some of the Jones Beach traffic from the then five-year-old Wantagh State Parkway, construction of this highway began in 1934 and is located just a few miles west of the Wantagh. Which parkway is it? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This powerful man was the impetus behind much of the building of the extensive New York state parkway system during the 1930s and 1940s. A state park and highway on Long Island are named after him. Who was this controversial man with a legacy of near biblical proportions?

Answer: Robert Moses

Robert Moses was considered by some to be the second-most powerful man (after the governor) in NY state during his tenure. His building of so many highways is credited (and blamed) for much the urban flight and subsequent suburban housing sprawl that occurred around NYC.

Robert Moses State Park and Robert Moses Causeway (on Long Island) and Robert Moses State Parkway (Niagara Falls, NY) are named in his honor.
2. The western terminus of Long Island's Northern State Parkway flows directly into which other "great" Long Island highway?

Answer: Grand Central Parkway

The Grand Central and the Northern State are essentially the same road - driving on them you would hardly notice when one changes to the other. The dividing line is the border between Queens and Nassau counties.
3. When driving along Long Island's Grand Central Parkway, which travels through Queens, which of the following NY attractions will you NOT pass by? (Hint: It's in the Bronx.)

Answer: Yankee Stadium

Sometimes referred to as the "GCP", the Grand Central Parkway runs through the borough of Queens, past all the attractions listed other than Yankee Stadium, home of the "Bronx Bombers".

Shea Stadium was in Flushing until 2009 being replaced by Citi Field - together they've been home to Major League Baseball's NY Mets for almost the team's entire existence. Aircraft taking off on LaGuardia Airport's runway 22 fly right over the GCP - they can really rattle your teeth! Some of the structures on the old World's Fair grounds are still standing and quite visible from the GCP. Most notable among them is the stainless steel model of the earth, the Unisphere, featured prominently in the film "Men in Black".
4. Why are so many NY highways called "parkways"?

Answer: They take you to and from parks

The parkway system was originally expected to take people from the crowded confines of New York City to the various state parks around the metropolitan area. Over the years they have, for better or worse, become an integral part of the highway system, carrying commuter and recreational traffic alike.
5. For the most part, New York's parkway construction meets freeway standards. What characteristics differentiate them from true US interstate highways?

Answer: Commercial traffic is banned on most parkways

Although generally designed with limited access, no same-level crossings and no traffic lights, New York's parkways are NOT part of the Interstate system. They have no state, federal or interstate numbers - one refers to them by name.

And, for the most part, there are no trucks. In fact, many bridges crossing over the parkways were deliberately built with low clearance, precluding trucks from ever being able to use these roads. There are some sections that allow trucks - in places where a parkway is the ONLY route.
6. One parkway takes you quite far upstate from the NY City area, nearly all the way to Albany, NY. It is rather unique in that it has several same-level cross streets at the northern end. What parkway with the American Indian sounding name is this?

Answer: Taconic Parkway

As with most NY parkways, the Taconic was originally designed to help take New York City dwellers to a park - in this case, north to Bear Mountain. It's much longer than needed for that purpose, taking travelers approximately 105 miles, from the Bronx River Parkway in the south to Interstate 90 in Chatham, NY.
7. This Long Island parkway is a relatively short, north-south highway and takes one to a park with the same name. The road and park are named after the marshy terrain on which the park was built.

Answer: Sunken Meadow Parkway

Sunken Meadow State Park was built upon some low lying marsh land during the mid-1900s along Long Island's north shore in the town of Smithtown. The park has three miles of beaches, three-quarters of a mile of boardwalk, plus baseball fields and a 27-hole golf course. The six-mile long Sunken Meadow Parkway connects the park at the north end to Sagtikos Parkway at the south.
8. Ocean Parkway runs east-west along a barrier island south of Long Island proper. It is the only road that connects much of this island area together. Which of the following is one of its unique qualities?

Answer: It allow trucks along its entire length

Ocean Parkway allows trucks along its entire length which is unique to the roads of the NY parkway system. Some parkways do allow trucks, but only over limited lengths, such as the last section upon entering a park (parkways are often the only access to some parks).
9. "The Hutch" is a parkway that runs through the Bronx. Its southern terminus is at the Bruckner Interchange where it becomes the Whitestone Expressway (I-678) which then crosses the Whitestone Bridge. Its northern end becomes the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut. What is the full name of this parkway?

Answer: Hutchinson River Parkway

The Hutchinson River Parkway is named after English-born American religious leader Anne Hutchinson. She was born in England in 1591, emigrated to Massachusetts in 1634 and was an outspoken church dissident. She and most of her family were murdered by native Americans in 1643.
10. Built to offload some of the Jones Beach traffic from the then five-year-old Wantagh State Parkway, construction of this highway began in 1934 and is located just a few miles west of the Wantagh. Which parkway is it?

Answer: Meadowbrook State Parkway

Like the Wantagh, the Meadowbrook runs north-south from the Northern State Parkway to Ocean Parkway near Jones Beach. Like other parkways, it is limited to non-commercial traffic, except, again like other parkways, south of Merrick Road (New York State Route 27A) where trucks are allowed.
Source: Author mike32768

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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