Belmont Park Future

There are needs for major changes and or added contributions from Belmont Park to Elmont. Improved elements that would include the beautification of the area and greater revenue to compensate in particular our school taxes.

Belmont Park has a rich history since it opened in 1905. It is known as the championship track, where all eleven of the triple crown winners claimed their victory. Aside from horse racing, its history includes the 1910 International Aviation Tournament. Some 150,000 people were drawn to the track on Oct. 30, 1910 at the climax of the a Wright Brothers-staged international aerial tournament. The event came to be during a period (1910, 1911 and 1912) in which racing was outlawed in New York State.

Outsiders call Belmont, one of the most beautiful tracks in the world with its landscaping, and its park behind the grandstand. Since 1955, Belmont Park and its sister tracks (Saratoga, Aqueduct and the defunct Jamaica) are operated by NYRA, formerly known as the Greater New York Association.

Elmont is the gateway and the entrance to Long Island. The Belmont Park borders, Hempstead Turnpike (State Route 24), a main artery and it needs to be beautiful. There is no clear visible difference between Queens County (NYC) and Nassau County (Long Island). There is a need for a more welcoming entrance. A suggestion is a decorated triangle with a statue of a famous Belmont Winner, whether it is Secretariat, or Affirmed the last horse to hold the honor of a Triple Crown winner. Ruffian is also a good choice for her her incredible love of running and unwillingness to lose. Whatever gets done needs to be something that is welcoming, and clearly displays that Elmont is a beautiful place to live. Other improvement projects should include the sidewalks that need to be cleaner, and enlarged. Bus stops along the park's southern border needs to be maintained and modernized to help the commuting residents in the area. Lastly, the boundaries of the Belmont Park needs be improved. Assistance to nearby businesses in terms of expansion of the track's necessities, bringing in more customers, more community involvement and communication and most importantly supporting an appropriate market for the residential neighborhood that surrounds it.

Inside the race track has a lot of potential. One idea would be to add a children’s museum for all children to learn about horses, the history of horse racing, the history of Belmont Park, and about Elmont, because it is an historical landmark. A small community/convention center can also be added to enhance the cultural element. Elmont is a residential and family community and the musuem will be a benefit for all children, including the over 8,000 in Elmont elementary and high schools, and in addition, the nearby Floral Park-Bellrose schools that shares it borders with the race track, such as the High School to the east, and the elementary school to the north, separated only by a fence.

Though the idea of adding a museum and a community / convention center may not add as much revenue such as from casino like Video Lottery Terminals or perhaps even a hotel, but such propositions are not viable solutions to our residential neighborhood nor the family atmosphere that Belmont Park tries to portray. Those options will serve as a disservice to the community and tarnish the image of Elmont and Belmont Park. Video lottery terminals serve only as a quick money fix, and are not a solution to helping horse racing or improving the elements of the track. Horse racing does not occur year long, and a hotel will be for a large portion of the year be unused.


If Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) are added, What will prevent the state to permit additional slot machines in the future to other near by locations? If they allow them in one place, what will prevent them from adding them in a restaurant, your local deli, or your neighbor? Aqueduct is a better choice because for VLTs because they serve as a way to ensure the location survives. With current plans, Belmont Park will be receiving 10 to 15 million dollars a year for capital projects from Aqueduct's VLTs. As of right now, it is illegal to have VLTs at Belmont Park due to New York State Law.

Elmont dissatisfaction in the Belmont Park is party due to NYRA's lack of contribution and communication to the Elmont community. Reports state that there are years in that taxes aren't being paid. Additionally, any money that is made from Belmont, Elmont never really sees cause it goes to a general fund at the County. (approx 10.6 million a year). Just recently the County invested $40,000 and the money matched by the Town of Hempstead to create studies, visioning and plans for improving the area outside the park. Just now, after so many years are the rusting fences being painted and potential plans to improve the eye sore stables that Elmont residents see as they pass by. With a new contract, Elmont has the opportunity to ensure that revenues get assigned to generate projects, community services and capital improvement projects.

There are other alternatives such as a shopping center or a small outlet center with recognizable names to generate revenue and taxes for Elmont. These alternatives help to enhance the racing element of the track, as they serve as a way for patrons to spend the day at a wonderful facility. Families can then enjoy the race track, visit the museum, shop and eat at good restaurants and spend the day at a beautiful and historic park. We are searching for beautification, and restoring Belmont to its former glory, and not just making money. Hard work and desire for enhancement and being the best represents what Elmont and Long Island is about.

Elmont appreciates culture, as evident by the wonderful library we have. A museum would extend that notion, and become a welcoming site for everyone to enjoy, learn and appreciate what Elmont is about. A community / convention center could help unite Elmont even more, and its neighboring communities. That, is Elmont Today.

The Locustwood / Gotham Civic Association, has a special relationship with Belmont Park. It is the civic that is directly affected by changes to the Belmont Park, because the civic area covers the entire southern length of the park, and its address is technically in the civic area. Many of our members live just half a block away from the race track, are concerned about the quality of life changes that might occur. Members in the area know the implications of changes and events at the Belmont Park, from witnessing patrons parking in front of our homes and the effects of patrons and workers from the park interaction with the vicinity. We all want to ensure that any changes are positive and benefit our community both with tax compensation and beautification.