Shared school districts and festivals in a singular South Shore hamlet
In the minds of many Long Islanders, Bellmore is a hamlet that comes paired with its surrounding communities. The canals and inlets that creep inland from its southern bay define it as the waterfront South Shore half of The Bellmores. “You hear people say Bellmore-Merrick,” says Robin Reiss, a licensed real estate salesperson at Douglas Elliman who lives in neighboring Merrick and has specialized in both hamlets for over 17 years. “We’re tied together in so many ways. I think the high school district is where that marriage begins.” The many inter-hamlet connections of Bellmore’s businesses, schools and community organizations create a network of suburban conveniences, woven seamlessly into the quiet blocks of single-family homes, from the waterway-strewn bayfront to the northernmost blocks abutting major Long Island parkways.
Town of Hempstead parks and boating on the South Shore
As rich as it is in narrow, connected waterways, Bellmore is a hub for anyone looking to spend long days exploring the bays of the South Shore. Plenty of boaters get out on connected creeks, channels and bays from private backyard docks. Repair and docking services are available at nearby marinas, including Doc Side Marine. Permitted boaters can also launch from Wantagh Park’s marina or boat slip, including the kayakers exploring the connected waterways of the South Shore Blueway Trail.
Those wanting to enjoy waterfront views away from the bay can head to Mill Pond Park, looking out over the central pond from the paved Adam D. Rand Memorial Trail that winds past trees along the waterway. Newbridge Road Park has all the elements of a classic community park, from its two playgrounds and fenced-in dog parks to multiple pickleball and basketball courts and baseball fields. More unique are the seasonal outdoor swimming pool, open to all Town of Hempstead residents through the warmer months, and the Newbridge Arena, an indoor ice-skating rink that welcomes free skaters and members of Northbridge youth hockey leagues throughout the year. Smaller parks like East Bay Park offer space to hit the basketball and tennis courts or play on the playground.
Waterfront homes on canals cn be found all over Bellmore, NY.
Bellmore, NY used to be known as a farming and fishing town.
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Single-family homes on Bellmore’s coastal blocks
Over a century of coastal suburban development has filled Bellmore with a variety of housing styles. “Bellmore is a pricier town,” says Sherry Krapf, an associate broker at Signature Premier Properties who specializes in homes throughout Long Island. “If a buyer asked me to find something for $500,000, I could maybe find a two-bedroom cottage — something that people tear down to build something new, more likely than not.” Small houses, including cottages, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes built from the prewar era through 1960s, sell for $550,000 to $870,000. Homes built since the 1970s with more square footage, including bi-levels, colonials and occasional new traditional construction from the past couple of decades, sell for $800,000 to $1.7 million. Sidewalks connect the hamlet from its canal-broken southern waterfronts to the longer, landlocked blocks farther north. Bellmore has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Split level homes are very popular in Bellmore, NY.
Boat docks in the backyards are very common sights at many homes in Bellmore, NY.
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The Bellmore Family Street Festival
Side streets fill with cars each September, the sidewalks packed with visitors heading to the annual Bellmore Family Street Festival. Classic carnival ambiance fills the hamlet’s fairgrounds, which stretch from the parking lot of the Bellmore Long Island Rail Road Station through the heart of Bellmore Village along Bedford and Pettit avenues and Broadway. The Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores is responsible for bringing together enough vendors, food trucks and rides to keep the festivities going across four days each year.
Go for gold at the Merrick Fall Festival.
See across all of Long Island on the Ferris Wheel at the Merrick Fall Festival.
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Shopping and dining on Merrick Road and Bedford Avenue
Four lanes of traffic make up Merrick Road, taking drivers past dozens of businesses ranging from PetSmart to small medical care centers and physical therapy offices. North of Sunrise Highway on Bedford Avenue, shoppers can enjoy more of a village shopping experience, walking down wide sidewalks to boutique salons, the barber shop or the local movie theater, The Bellmore Playhouse. The King Kullen supermarket is nearby for groceries. Restaurants pop up along both shopping strips, including The Morning Rose Cafe, known for a cozy ambiance and an all-day breakfast menu that justify its long weekend waitlists. Matteo’s is a favorite for sit-down Italian cuisine served on a white tablecloth, while Kashi curates a cool, modern vibe at the sushi bar. Bellmore’s several houses of worship are equally as diverse, with congregations regularly gathering at St. Barnabas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church and the Congregation Beth Ohr synagogue.
Three Dogs Bakery makes great dog treats for Bellmore resident's best friends!.
Spiga Bakery in Bellmore is a great place to have a casual quick meal and a tasty desert.
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Food-industry education at Kennedy High
Most kids are zoned for Bellmore Public Schools, and they can start at Charles A. Reinhard Early Childhood Center for prekindergarten through second grade, which does not currently have a rating from Niche. Winthrop Avenue School serves third through fourth grades and earns an A, as does Shore Road School, which has fifth through sixth grades. Students then enter the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District, starting at Grand Avenue Middle School for seventh through eighth grades and finishing up at John F. Kennedy High School, both of which earn an A-plus. Beyond continuing the district’s reputation for academic excellence, Kennedy High is also home to Bellmore-Merrick's Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program, preparing students for careers in the food industry. Kids living toward the northern edge of Bellmore attend North Bellmore and Bellmore-Merrick schools with similarly high Niche grades.
John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore has 1,024 students in grades 9-12 with a ratio of 11:1.
John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore has 1,024 students in grades 9-12 with a ratio of 11:1.
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Commuting to New York City on the parkway and LIRR
Commuters start north on Wantagh State Parkway toward the Long Island Expressway on the 38-mile drive to Manhattan. John F. Kennedy International Airport is about 20 miles away. From the Bellmore Long Island Rail Road Station, Penn Station is a 50-minute train ride away. Limited bus service is available from stops along Merrick Road thanks to the Nassau Inter-County Express.
Flooding on Bellmore’s canals and waterways
Higher-risk flood zones cover streets along Bellmore’s southern canals and waterways. Flood insurance is a fact of life for homeowners in this area, and some may choose to raise their houses to reduce fees and risk.
Written By
Dwight Loew
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Siegel
Video By
Benji Anklam
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Fran Reali,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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