Central Avenue, Lakewood: A Vital Residential Corridor Reflecting the Township's Rapid Growth
The Central Avenue area in Lakewood is a bustling and rapidly evolving residential corridor that serves as a key artery through the southern-central portion of the township. Historically, this route (County Road 528) was a quieter connector road, but as Lakewood's population exploded in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the landscape around Central Avenue—and the adjacent New Central Avenue—transformed into a focal point of development. Today, the neighborhood is defined by its density, characterized by a mix of established single-family homes and new, large-scale townhouse communities that house the township's growing families, all while serving as a crucial connector between the Route 9 commercial corridor and the Garden State Parkway.
Brandon J. Broderick, Personal Injury Attorney at Law, provides compassionate and effective legal counsel, fighting to protect your rights and to assist you in obtaining the compensation you are entitled to following injuries from a car, bus, work site, slip-and-fall, or pedestrian accident in New Jersey.
Points of Interest in Central
The Central Avenue neighborhood, particularly the area surrounding New Central Avenue and the Westgate development, is a bustling residential and commercial hub. The attractions here, unlike the historic downtown or the resort-style senior communities, revolve around daily family life, community convenience, and outdoor recreation. It is a vibrant district where shopping, dining, and nature meet. Here are the top attractions to explore in the Central area of Lakewood.
Westgate Plaza
The undisputed commercial heart of the neighborhood is Westgate Plaza. Located at the intersection of Hillside Boulevard and New Central Avenue, this bustling shopping center serves as the community's "downtown." Kosher West, a massive and popular supermarket, anchors the plaza and features a variety of essential shops, boutiques, and services. The plaza is a hive of activity day and night, serving as the primary meeting place for residents.
Lake Shenandoah County Park
Just moments from the Central Avenue corridor, Lake Shenandoah County Park is the neighborhood's premier outdoor destination. This 100-acre park features a stunning trout-stocked lake surrounded by towering pines and oaks. It offers a perfect escape for nature lovers, with miles of walking trails, fishing piers, athletic fields, and a playground. It serves as the scenic "backyard" for the families living in the nearby developments.
Westgate Park
Nestled within the residential development at 24 Hillside Boulevard, Westgate Park is a beloved local green space. With a well-maintained playground, basketball courts, and open space for children to run and play, this community park caters to families. It is a safe and convenient recreational hub where neighbors gather and children can enjoy the outdoors without leaving the neighborhood.
The Local Culinary Scene
The Central neighborhood has developed its own distinct culinary identity, making it a destination for foodies. The area is home to popular eateries like The Pizza Place, a local favorite known for its family-friendly atmosphere and Italian classics. For a more upscale experience, Agripas offers chef-driven kosher cuisine inspired by Israeli flavors. These dining spots make the area a self-sufficient community where great food is just around the corner.
Central Avenue Connectivity
While not a traditional "attraction," the Central Avenue corridor itself is a key feature of the neighborhood. As a vital artery connecting Route 9 to the Garden State Parkway, it puts residents within minutes of the region's broader attractions. A short drive down this road connects you to the beaches of the Jersey Shore, the shopping of the Ocean County Mall, and the major employment hubs of the region, making its location its greatest asset.
Accidents in the Central Avenue Area: What You Need to Know
The Central neighborhood of Lakewood, anchored by the busy corridors of Central Avenue and New Central Avenue, is a high-density area that serves as both a residential hub and a major commercial destination. The intense mix of local family traffic, daily commuters, and shoppers heading to plazas like Westgate creates a dynamic environment where personal injury accidents are a frequent occurrence. These incidents are most commonly associated with the area's congested roadways and its bustling commercial centers. Those injured in the Central area may need the assistance of a Lakewood, New Jersey, personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for their injuries after an accident.
Motor Vehicle Collisions: Central Avenue and Route 9
The most prevalent personal injury risk in the Central neighborhood involves car accidents, particularly along Central Avenue and its intersection with Route 9. This area sees heavy congestion, leading to frequent multi-vehicle crashes.
- Intersection Accidents: The junction of Central Avenue and Route 9 is a critical danger zone. Drivers attempting to turn or navigate through heavy traffic often cause rear-end collisions and side-impact crashes.
- New Central Avenue: The stretch of New Central Avenue and its intersection with Hillside Boulevard is another hotspot. The volume of traffic heading toward the Westgate development and local schools creates a high risk for collisions, especially during peak school drop-off and pick-up times.
Pedestrian Accidents: Westgate and Residential Streets
The Westgate area and the surrounding residential streets see a significant amount of pedestrian traffic, including children walking to school and families heading to synagogue or the plaza.
- Walking Risks: Pedestrian accidents are a serious concern, particularly on roads like Hillside Boulevard and New Central Avenue, where sidewalks may be crowded or where pedestrians cross mid-block to reach community destinations.
- Parking Lot Dangers: The busy parking lots of Westgate Plaza and other shopping centers are also frequent sites for low-speed pedestrian strikes, as drivers navigating for spots may fail to see people walking behind cars or in crosswalks.
Slip and Fall Incidents: Shopping Plazas and Sidewalks
With its high concentration of retail activity, the Central neighborhood sees a number of premises liability claims, specifically slip and fall accidents.
- Commercial Properties: The Westgate Plaza and other strip malls along Central Avenue are common locations for these incidents. Hazards such as wet floors in entryways, icy sidewalks in winter, or uneven pavement in parking lots can lead to serious falls and injuries.
- Residential Areas: In the dense residential developments like Westgate, poorly maintained common walkways or unlit stairwells in multi-family housing units can also be sources of liability for property owners.
The personal injury risks in the Central neighborhood of Lakewood are a direct result of its status as a busy, mixed-use community. The dangers are most acute at the congested intersections of its main avenues and in the high-activity zones where pedestrians and vehicles mix in shopping plazas and residential streets.
If you’ve been injured on Central Avenue, the local attorneys at Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, in Lakewood, NJ, are here to provide skilled, compassionate legal representation and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Brandon J. Broderick for Central Avenue Accidents?
Conveniently located to serve Lakewood, our office offers legal services for residents and visitors of the Central Avenue Area and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Here’s why clients in the Central Ave Area trust us:
- Local Expertise: We understand the unique dynamics of the Central Ave Area as well as the most common types of injuries sustained in accidents in the area.
- Proven Results: Our firm has recovered millions in settlements for personal injury victims across New Jersey.
- 24/7 Availability: Call us anytime at (877) 329-3154 for immediate legal assistance.
- No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if we win your case.
Directions to Our Lakewood, NJ, Office
Residents and visitors in the area can easily access our office, conveniently located near Central Avenue.
Address: 216 River Ave, Lakewood, NJ 08701 (serving Central and Lakewood)
Phone: (877) 329-3154
If you’ve been injured in the Central Avenue Area or in Lakewood, don’t hesitate to contact us to schedule a free consultation today.
We provide dedicated legal support to accident victims throughout New Jersey and Lakewood, including neighborhoods such as Central Avenue Area, Downtown Lakewood, Four Seasons, Kensington Hills, Leisure Village, Lions Head Woods, Ocean Park Village, Prospect Street Area, Southern Lakewood, Tarkiln Branch, and The Fairways. Don’t wait to receive the help you deserve—contact us today to discuss your case and begin the process of securing your compensation.