Babylon Town bars nonresidents from Venetian Shores Park through Labor Day

The Town of Babylon is barring nonresidents from Venetian Shores Park in Lindenhurst, a popular beach that hosts nightly music shows, through Labor Day after officials said growing crowds were causing safety issues.

The town announced on social media Friday it would no longer allow nonresidents to enter Venetian Shores Park “at all times” from now through Labor Day.

In the summer, the park in Lindenhurst is only open to town residents with a beach pass during the day, but until now had been open to nonresidents after 4 p.m. Katch, which has a contract to serve food and provide music and entertainment at the park, has regularly offered nightly performances.

Katch published its own statement on social media saying its operators only learned of the “unexpected” change through the town's post. Katch's post said the town had told the venue they must cancel all music for the remainder of the summer. Katch said “there could have been a more collaborative solution to balanced [sic] the sentiments of residents and customers alike.”

In a second post, the town said that in recent weeks “traffic congestion outside the park had become so severe it posed a potential risk to public safety, including the ability for emergency vehicles to access the area. That is not a risk we are willing to take.”

Dueling posts

Town officials said there were ongoing conversations with Katch about issues and the concessionaire was “fully aware of the situation.”

“While ideas were shared on how to reduce the impact on the neighborhood — including suggestions related to entertainment programming and potential alternative venues — those decisions remain with the business,” the town's post said.

Babylon's website notes that under Katch’s contract with the town, the concessionaire is “required to have music.”

Town spokesman Ryan Bonner declined to comment beyond the social media statements, saying town officials and representatives of Katch are set to meet on Tuesday. 

Katch attorney Steven Politi told Newsday the situation is "very upsetting to my client" and that the town changes have "derailed them."

The venue's Facebook page shows bands were scheduled to perform there almost every night starting at 6 p.m. through the rest of the month.

Politi cited an Aug. 13 email in which, he said, a town official had ordered Katch to cease the musical performances.

"They were directed by the town to cancel the music, period, the end," he said. The venue canceled performances for the rest of the season, he said, "in an effort to continue to have fruitful discussions with the town."

'Latin Night' moved

Katch posted that the venue's Tuesday "Latin Night" would now take place at Tanner Park in Copiague, a town property that allows non-residents entry after 4 p.m.

Some residents praised Babylon's decision, writing on Facebook they supported efforts to prioritize the town's own residents. But many more criticized the town on social media, saying that the venue's events are family-friendly and that they would no longer be able to meet up with out-of-town family and friends there. 

Daniel DelValle of Port Jefferson Station said he's upset he can no longer attend shows at Venetian Shores and blamed the town for issues that have occurred there.

"The parking there is horrendous, but that's the town's fault," he said, noting there are also several sports teams playing at the park on the same nights. "Scapegoating an owner who's only open a few months a year — I think that's unfair." 

Katch's statement said the change would have a significant effect on its 60 employees, “many of whom are local teenagers and college students who depend on these summer jobs to save for the upcoming school year.”

Babylon officials said they will offer any affected employees jobs at town beaches and pools for the rest of the season.

Until Labor Day, beach passes are still required to enter the park during the day. After 4 p.m., residents can access the park with either a “beach pass, Yodel app pass, or a driver’s license showing a Town of Babylon address," according to the town.

Babylon's statement said it will “evaluate all possible scenarios" after Labor Day to “find the best long-term approach.”

By Denise M. Bonilla

denise.bonilla@newsday.comdenisebonilla

Denise Bonilla has worked at Newsday since 2003 and covers the Town of Babylon, including the villages of Lindenhurst and Amityville.