Multiple options help village avoid problems
While parking around LIRR train stations is typically a challenge, even on a regular work day, it’s not necessarily the case for Garden City residents, who have five departure points to choose from. The stations—Nassau Boulevard, Garden City, Stewart Manor, Country Life Press and the south side of Merillon Avenue—provide a grand total of 866 spots. (See page 13 sidebar for lot-by-lot breakdown). It’s a luxury many municipalities don’t have, particularly during the holidays. Annual permits run $150 for residents and $300 for non-residents and while people who call Garden City can use any of these five stations, non-residents are restricted to using the 70 spots allocated for their use over at the Stewart Manor station.
LIRR spokesman Salvatore Arena said that ridership between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day increases by at least 10 percent; last year it was by 12 percent. Though the MTA is adding more trains to the schedule, that doesn’t ease the parking situation, which is operated not by the LIRR, but by individual municipalities in each town.
“Every station is different,” Arena said. “A good part of our parking is in the hands of the locality. They set the rules essentially.”
As far as the Village of Garden City and its residents seem to be concerned, the parking situation at the five LIRR stations is about as ideal as a resident would like it to be.
“Our commuters have been having these parking spaces for years upon years upon years and nothing has changed. It’s status quo and nobody complains. We shovel the snow and clean the parking lots. Everybody’s happy,” said a village official.
Numerous commuters returning from work in Manhattan and disembarking at various Garden City stops agreed.
“I have no problems with the parking around here at all,” said Nassau Boulevard commuter Jim McAlloon.
“Getting here early is the key although the spots are a little narrower than I’d like them to be,” said Jessie Goodyear, over at the Merillon Avenue station.
Jamie, who wouldn’t give his last name, also agreed about early arrival being the key to success.
“I try to get here between 5 and 6 a.m. But if you miss that cutoff, you can still find parking on the side streets over by the south side of the station,” he explained.
While more residents will head into the city by railroad from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, MTA officials say the increased ridership is typically during its off-peak period, like weekends and evenings. Passengers who plan to leave for the city before daily commuters can get back to their cars will face a parking shortage.
“People should know that if they are planning to go into the city, parking can be a little bit of a problem,” said Arena. “Parking availability becomes more difficult during the holiday season simply because of the volume.”
Even so, Arena said people should not be deterred from taking mass transit. “It’s better to go into the city by train rather than by car,” Arena said. “Even after the morning rush, you tend to have a simpler day if you use mass transit.”
For parking tips and a round-up of the worst LIRR parking situations, turn to page 10A.
Dan Offner contributed to this story
