Clicky

skip to main content

Newsroom

This is an archive of advisories, news releases, fact sheets, public notices, and other public information. For news media inquiries, call the Media Relations Office at 732-750-5333 or email feeney@njta.com

Back

Forked River Service Area renamed for New Jersey Hall of Famer and salsa star Celia Cruz

Jan 26 2022

The Forked River Service Area signs on the Garden State Parkway will be changed tonight to reflect the new name of the facility: the Celia Cruz Service Area.

New Jersey Turnpike Authority maintenance crews will install the Celia Cruz signs on the roadway overnight tonight. The New Jersey Hall of Fame will be installing a tribute to Ms. Cruz inside the facility. That is expected to be completed in March. The name on the outside of the building will be changed at that time.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced last summer that nine Garden State Parkway service areas would be renamed to honor New Jersey Hall of Fame inductees in the arts, entertainment, and sports.  Forked River will be the second service area to take on its new name. The former Cheesequake Service Area was renamed for rock star Jon Bon Jovi in September.

A Grammy winner who was known as the “Queen of Salsa,” Ms. Cruz was born in Cuba, emigrated to Mexico after the Cuban revolution, and eventually settled in New Jersey.  She was considered one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century.

Other NJ Hall of Fame inductees who will have Parkway service areas renamed for them in the coming months include James Gandolfini (Montvale), Larry Doby (Brookdale North), Connie Chung (Brookdale South), Whitney Houston (Vauxhall), Judy Blume (Monmouth), Frank Sinatra (Atlantic), and Toni Morrison (Ocean View).