Disagreement Over Sunday Use of Bellmore LIRR Station Parking Lot

For over 20 years, the Christian Joy Fellowship Church has attracted members of the Bellmore community as well as hundreds of parishioners from Long Island and New York City.

The full Gospel charismatic church, re-named the Relevant Everyday Answers for Life (REAL) Church,located on Broadway in Bellmore, in close proximity to the Bellmore Long Island Railroad station. Churchgoers have been permitted to use the train station parking lot directly in front of the building for several years when attending activities and services.

The Lions Club of Bellmore holds activities on Wilson Avenue, also within blocks of the LIRR station. They also host craft fairs in the parking lot on Sundays, which coincide with morning services at REAL Church; the 10 a.m. worship experience is the most popular and well-attended church activity.

As the frequently of the fairs increased, members of REAL Church were less able to find parking and the inability of parishioners to easily access the facilities adversely affected the church.

"Sundays are our number one income day of the week and it ended up significantly impacting our income and affecting our church's ability to grow and function," Pastor Michael J. Burns said.

According to Pastor Burns, the difficulties created by the Lions Club's use of the parking lot include situations where members of the church cannot get parking spaces because fair patrons parked in front of the church and in the church parking lot as well as issues of cleanliness due to crafts, debris and paper ending up on church property.

In an effort to come to amicably reach an agreement regarding use of the parking lot, Burns engaged representatives of the Lions Club in discussions but was unable to reach a firm resolution.

"The Lions Club proposed unenforceable agreements regarding use of railroad lot," the Pastor said.

Unable to resolve the issue privately, Pastor Burns "went on the record" and made a public statement to the Town of Hempstead. REAL Church representatives contacted Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg and George Bakish, who works under Murray.

Burns said Bakish told the Lion's Club to contact the church to resolve the dispute and proposed that the Club move from parking lot section B2 to B4; the sections are of equal size but B2 is located closer to REAL Church.

According to Burns, the Club was unwilling to change parking lot sections despite the town's suggestion.

Although the town created a new parking lot on Bellmore Avenue, on the north side of the train tracks, parents with children are reluctant to cross the heavily traveled road. Burns said he broached the idea of the Lion's Club holding the popular craft fairs on Saturdays but they were unwilling to comply with his request.

"The Lions Club does have permits for their events," Town of Hempstead Press Secretary Susan Trenkle-Pokalsky said. "That being said, there is quite a bit of parking in the commuter lot, as well as a municipal lot that is one block north. "

Despite the remote possibility of an imminent resolution, Burns extended the proverbial "olive branch"and made another overture to the Club.

"We are not against the Lions Club – they are a wonderful organization and we celebrate the work we do in the community - but why can't we share the town together?"

The Lions Club of Bellmore was contacted, however they declined to comment.