In any city located within the territorial limits of a county of the first class the governing body of such city is authorized by ordinance to establish, lay out and open a public street through any public park located in a business area of, and belonging to, such city, and to appropriate and make use of any portion of such public park for the widening of existing streets adjoining the same in order to provide an additional space for the operation and parking of vehicles, or other highway use, whenever the said governing body shall determine that traffic conditions in the said area warrant the establishment of such new street or the widening of an existing street.
N.J.S. § 40:61-22.18