Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway (Jacksonville)
Encyclopedia
The Martin Luther King Jr. pathway is a limited access road running along the eastern and northern edges of downtown Jacksonville, Florida
. Despite its name, it is not a parkway
in the conventional sense, as it has no limits on truck
use and is not located near park
s or other beautified areas.
Upon its completion in the early 1960s, the road was actually known by two names. The eastern portion, running due north from the base of the Matthews Bridge, was known as the Haines St. Expressway. The northern portion, running due west from the northern terminus of the Haines Expressway, was known as the 20th Street Expressway. (Both sections took their respective names from the actual city streets that they either replaced or ran parallel to.) The two roads were, in actual operation, a single road, providing a rapid, limited-access route from the Gator Bowl
in the southeastern corner of downtown Jacksonville, to the northwestern residential reaches of downtown.
In 2000, the Jacksonville City Council
voted to honor the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
, by naming this route after him, and the change was effected on January 15, 2001, the 72nd anniversary of the slain leader's birth. Jacksonville was one of the last major cities in the country to rename a road for Dr. King; by choosing this route, the city was able to provide homage and yet because the entire route is without any addresses, either residential or business, the council was able to avoid irritating constituents, as often happens with such name changes.
There is no single numbered state road nor U.S. route that runs the entire length of the MLK Parkway, but one that runs for at least part of its length includes Florida State Road 115.
Jacksonville, Florida
Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. Despite its name, it is not a parkway
Parkway
The term parkway has several distinct principal meanings and numerous synonyms around the world, for either a type of landscaped area or a type of road.Type of landscaped area:...
in the conventional sense, as it has no limits on truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
use and is not located near park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
s or other beautified areas.
Upon its completion in the early 1960s, the road was actually known by two names. The eastern portion, running due north from the base of the Matthews Bridge, was known as the Haines St. Expressway. The northern portion, running due west from the northern terminus of the Haines Expressway, was known as the 20th Street Expressway. (Both sections took their respective names from the actual city streets that they either replaced or ran parallel to.) The two roads were, in actual operation, a single road, providing a rapid, limited-access route from the Gator Bowl
Gator Bowl
The Gator Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. Held continuously since 1946, it is the sixth oldest college bowl, as well as the first one ever televised nationally...
in the southeastern corner of downtown Jacksonville, to the northwestern residential reaches of downtown.
In 2000, the Jacksonville City Council
Jacksonville City Council
The Jacksonville City Council is the legislative governing body of the city of Jacksonville, Florida.-Composition:The Jacksonville City Council is composed of nineteen members who are elected to four-year terms and serve as part-time legislators...
voted to honor the late civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
, by naming this route after him, and the change was effected on January 15, 2001, the 72nd anniversary of the slain leader's birth. Jacksonville was one of the last major cities in the country to rename a road for Dr. King; by choosing this route, the city was able to provide homage and yet because the entire route is without any addresses, either residential or business, the council was able to avoid irritating constituents, as often happens with such name changes.
There is no single numbered state road nor U.S. route that runs the entire length of the MLK Parkway, but one that runs for at least part of its length includes Florida State Road 115.