Adriana Palmer
In the 1920s, Little Neck Parkway was a scenic roadway that cut through one of New York City’s newest suburban landscapes. Located at the far eastern edge of Queens, bordering Nassau County, the parkway was designed for the automobile age. It was a gracefully curving route intended for leisurely drives, not for the bustling commerce of a typical city street.
The decade marked a complete transformation for the area. Vast tracts of farmland, country estates, and open fields were systematically developed into a planned community. Little Neck was advertised to families seeking an escape from the crowded city, offering the promise of green lawns, fresh air, and spacious homes. The parkway was the central spine of this new development.
Lining the parkway and the surrounding tree-lined streets were newly constructed single-family homes. These houses were built in popular styles of the era, particularly Tudor, Colonial Revival, and Dutch Colonial. Each home was set on its own plot of land, creating a sense of privacy and space that was a key selling point for new residents moving from denser parts of the city.
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Unlike other major boulevards in Queens, Little Neck Parkway was intentionally kept residential and free of commercial buildings. There were no storefronts or factories directly on the parkway. Its purpose was to provide a beautiful and tranquil route through the neighborhood, connecting the residential blocks and leading towards the waterfront of Little Neck Bay.
The Long Island Rail Road station was the essential link for commuters traveling to Manhattan for work. The parkway provided a pleasant route to the station for the growing number of residents who owned cars. For recreation, the area boasted golf courses and country clubs, which were a central part of the social life for the community’s affluent new residents. The parkway itself was a destination for strolls and drives, offering views of the well-manicured neighborhood and the nearby bay.
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