New Parking Rules Squeeze Schreiber Seniors and Port Commuters

Town board approves changes to Vanderventer Avenue lot near LIRR station, raising concerns over enforcement and impact on students

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Port Washington commuters and Schreiber High School seniors are clashing over scarce parking at the Vanderventer Avenue lot near the LIRR station, prompting the Town of North Hempstead board to approve new rules limiting spaces to rail riders. Officials admit enforcement will be tricky and may not fully begin until next school year.

Why it matters

The parking changes highlight an ongoing challenge in Port Washington, where limited public parking has led to conflicts between different groups vying for access. The new rules aim to prioritize commuter access but could create hardships for Schreiber students who rely on the lot.

The details

The Town of North Hempstead board approved the parking changes 6-1, restricting the Vanderventer Avenue lot near the LIRR station to rail riders only. This is an attempt to address the longstanding issue of commuters and students competing for the limited spaces. However, officials acknowledge that enforcement will be difficult and the changes may not be fully implemented until the next school year.

  • The Town of North Hempstead board approved the parking changes on February 15, 2026.
  • The new rules limiting the Vanderventer Avenue lot to rail riders only may not be fully enforced until the 2026-2027 school year.

The players

Town of North Hempstead

The local government that oversees the Vanderventer Avenue parking lot and approved the new rules limiting access to commuters.

Schreiber High School

The local high school whose students have relied on the Vanderventer Avenue lot for parking, and who will be impacted by the new commuter-only rules.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The town plans to work on enforcement strategies for the new parking rules, with the goal of having them fully in place by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

The takeaway

The parking changes in Port Washington highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing the needs of commuters, students, and other community members when it comes to limited public parking resources. The town's efforts to prioritize rail riders may create hardships for Schreiber High School students, raising questions about how to equitably manage competing interests.