The Parkway’s Oldest Tree has Deep Roots
By Steffen Klenk
Living in the Garden State, we are fortunate to have some of the most spectacular scenery this country has to offer. Traveling up and down the Garden State Parkway the 173 miles from Cape May to the New York state line can be an adventure in itself. The colors of the leaves and short, gentle turns add to the appeal of the drive. It also has the distinct honor of being home to one of the nation’s oldest holly trees.
The 325 year old, sixty foot holly sits idle at the John B. Townsend Shoemaker Holly Picnic Area in Upper Township, just a few miles south of Exit 25. The tree once stood on the property of the Shoemaker family, whose house was sold to the Highway Authority in the early 1950s. The original plan was to construct the Parkway over their property, and the tree was expected to be uprooted.
Daniel G. Fenton, founder of the Holly Society of America and resident of Millville, led an effort to save the tree. He worked in conjunction with the Highway Authority’s chief architect, Gilmore Clarke, and other road planners, to come up with a new road design that incorporated the tree. A 120 yard gap was created between the north and south lanes of the Parkway and the tree was spared.
In December 2014, the state of New Jersey celebrated its 350th Anniversary and, in doing so, honored the history of the tree with a new memorial plaque. The plaque was proudly donated by local businessman Tom Tower and his business, Advantage Signs.
In recent years, the Upper Township Historical Society has held a tradition of decorating the tree during the Christmas season. Members of the society, along with families and local residents, donate Christmas balls to be placed on the lower part of the tree throughout the month of December.
If you find yourself near mile marker 23, make it a point to stop and admire the beauty that only nature can provide.
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