Islanders opening night brings parking headaches, booming business to Elmont

Elmont residents say that the lack of on-site UBS Arena parking and Islanders fans not wanting to pay for parking created a major issue during opening night at the team’s new home.
Bob Barker, of the Locustwood/Gotham Civic Association, told News 12 that fans blocked driveways in the neighborhood.
“Cars were double parked on sidewalks creating a very dangerous situation,” he said.
Barker says there was also no traffic enforcement on Hempstead Turnpike before or after the game and believes officials should “take another look” at the flow of traffic.
Rosario Fuschetto, owner of King Umberto – a nearby restaurant – had a much more positive experience. She compared the business she received to the Belmont Stakes.
“The only difference is Belmont Stakes is once a year,” she said. She hopes to see her business boom from all the new traffic.
The Islanders play Sunday night against the Maple Leafs and Wednesday against the Rangers.