Oceanside, Island Park Letters to the Editor

Posted

Enforce parking restrictions in Island Park

To the Editor:

I live in the small community of Barnum Island in Island Park. Recently I read an article about the parking and driving conditions in our neighborhood. Also, an unknown neighbor circulated a letter emphasizing their concerns with similar issues.

I agree with both. At times the parking is unbearable, between the LIRR commuters and local businesses’ employees and customers. Also, in the area of Shell Creek Park — where many events occur — cars go speeding down the block off Austin Boulevard, and when exiting the park, they drive down the one-way street the wrong way.

We need to get our local businesses, government, politicians and neighbors more involved in the issues at hand. We need either for our neighbors to apply for parking restriction signs or to enforce the signs they took the time to apply for.

We need our local businesses to petition for more parking restrictions on local roads that will cater to their employees and customers rather than LIRR commuters.

We need our local police to enforce the existing parking restrictions to deter commuters from ignoring them. The funny part is, they come to our community to park and test the system because they know the communities they come from have strict enforcement, and they’ll be issued summonses.

We also need our local government to look into creating a parking violations bureau rather then relying on the overworked Police Department to write tickets. In New York City this department is very efficient at code enforcement, not only penalizing people who park illegally but also bringing revenue to city government. Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead should take a good look at that system. The potential revenue could help deter budget cuts or tax increases.

Another thing Nassau and the town need to look at is changing or adding laws that might make us more safe. In certain parts of New York City, when you’re near a school or park, there are speed bumps. Speeding is a major concern in our area.

We’re on the same block as Shell Creek Park. A lot of families and kids use our street to access the park, but traffic coming off Austin Boulevard can be a challenge at times. There is nothing to slow vehicles once they exit the main road onto the side street, and at times people come flying down our block at high speeds. As the letter stated, one day someone is going to be seriously hurt or killed. Then statistics will emphasize change. Why wait till then? Make the needed changes now.

We need our local governments to advertise more safety and parking restrictions. Recently I spoke with our town councilman, Anthony D’Esposito. He agreed that the government needs to get more involved. He also agreed that we need to replace, reposition or add more signage to our streets to make the restrictions clearer. He suggested that the county or the town start painting “Slow Down,” “Children At Play,” “Do Not Enter” and “One Way” right on the pavement. This is a very good idea that might make drivers more aware of what’s ahead of them.

Joseph Giordano

Island Park