5 Tips for Finding Parking in the Village

Ask a newcomer to Babylon Village what the most frustrating aspect is on a Friday evening or even mid-day summer and you will likely hear: parking.

But ask someone who’s been around a bit and you'll hear that parking isn’t the top complaint. That's because as you get familiar with the village you get to learn the tricks to parking without incurring a ticket.

So we asked residents to offer up some insight and they did. Here are five tips to follow:

Tip 1: Unless you see a sign stating otherwise, it’s two-hour parking throughout the village at all times.

Tip 2: If you find yourself parking near someone’s home on a side street try to exercise some consideration such as not blocking the driveway and try not to park right in front of a home as they might need that parking slot.

Tip 3:  New Babylon train commuters should realize that seeing no cars on a street in the early hours means it’s just two-hour parking and that’s why no other commuters are parking there. It doesn’t mean that no one took the train that day. As one homeowner who lives near the center of the village notes: “Regardless of your second cousins brothers uncles sons boy scout patch you put on your dash board, you WILL be ticketed.”

Tip 4:  Here’s another commuter tip from a nearby station resident. The meter lot immediately adjacent to the station is typically full by 7 a.m. on weekdays but there are two other long-term meters lots. One is James St., one block south and east of the station. Use the lot with the numbered spaces as all other spaces are either short-term, employee or private property. The meter machines for the James St. lot are on the north end by the exit. The other meter lot is on Locust Avenue, one block north and west of the station. It’s a little more of a walk but commuters will likely always find a space and can park 12 hours for $3. Again just use the numbered spaces and bring change as there is no change machine.

Tip 5:  If you’re heading for Deer Park Avenue, try to come in from the north as there is always a few open slots on the west side of the street given the most traffic comes up DPA from Main Street. But if you want to park behind stores, head for lots behind the east side stores as west side parking spaces are fewer. One resident notes that he uses the Chase bank lot (free for customers) and schedules banking at the same time he has a a few quick errands so as not to overstay his welcome in the free lot too long.

Patch would like to thank the following readers for their invaluable advice: Bill Howard, Paul Schulhaus and Michael Ragan. If you’ve got a tip, share below in the comment box and we’ll update the story.