Now What Do I Do?

I was planning on having my daughter's 1st birthday party at the Holtsville Ecology Center. It was perfect because it had the covered tent, picnic benches, bathrooms for the guests, a playground right there for kids to run around and blow bubbles and throw balls, and since our theme is "bears" we were going to go on bear hunt (Walk through the animal exhibit). It was just going to be perfect. But they will be charging $20 a car for all of my guests and now we can't do it. Is there anywhere else that has most of these amenities that I can throw the party??? PLEASE HELP. I am devastated.

Now What Do I Do?

When do they start charging for cars? Haven't heard about this yet..sorry u are dealing with.this

Re: Now What Do I Do?

$20 non residents $5 residents between memorial day and labor day...

Now What Do I Do?

Where did you see that they will start charging for cars? Thats crazy!


My friends had there daughters birthday party at heckscher park it had all of that stuff except a tent and it was 8 dollars a car to get in...she still had about 75 people come. She just made sure to get there early to reserve the spot

Re: Now What Do I Do?

A quick internet search makes it look like they were considering closing it & just started charging for the parking.

How many families are you going to have?

Re: Now What Do I Do?

we were expecting 30-50 people.

Re: Now What Do I Do?

I googled and can't find anything about them charging for parking in the summer...it doesn't say anything on the town's website (unless I missed it). People go there everyday to use the track and I can't see them paying $20+ a week. It's cheaper to join a gym!!

Re: Now What Do I Do?

Here's a website that explains part of the new parking fees:

http://sachem.patch.com/articles/brookhaven-residents-launch-facebook-page-in-protest-of-town-budget-cuts

If you LOVE the place (I've never been, but it sounds really cool), you've got 2 options...

Option 1: I'd try to strike up a deal with them... tell them you will have about 35 people. So, hopefully, that could be organized to about 10 cars. See if you can donate/pre-pay for parking. I bet if you do, you can get away with something like $200 total... even if more come. IF you have the budget, take this money out of the cake & party supplies, or the photographer if you were planning on having one... or cook some food or ask for family to help you with that.

Option 2: IF you don't have the budget, you could ask your guests that INSTEAD of a present for your child, to make a donation to this amazing park in the form of their parking fee for the car. Tell them that the parking fee is $20 and it goes to preserve the park!

Re: Now What Do I Do?

I just called and they confirmed a fee to park starting "soon". There was an option to reserve the picnic area for a party. I agree with PP about asking if there is a deal for guest parking.

Not that this helps with your party but They have a season pass for $20 that you can purchase at the parking window that's good for the entire season in any town park.

Re: Now What Do I Do?

Message edited 4/11/2013 2:42:27 PM.

Re: Now What Do I Do?

Posted by MaZz

Posted by BaysideForever

$20 non residents $5 residents between memorial day and labor day...

are you serious?!?! It's 5 mins away from me but I am in town of Islip... I love to go the to walk around the track... Now they are going to charge me $20 to do that? LOL. What a ridiculous diff in price

Eta: or is this just parking for an event?

Re: Now What Do I Do?

Posted by Melmel821

Posted by MaZz

Posted by BaysideForever

$20 non residents $5 residents between memorial day and labor day...

are you serious?!?! It's 5 mins away from me but I am in town of Islip... I love to go the to walk around the track... Now they are going to charge me $20 to do that? LOL. What a ridiculous diff in price

Eta: or is this just parking for an event?

Me too! I guess no more holtsville walks