Committee endorses pilot block party permit to close North Morris for 2025 trick-or-treat

The Shorewood Community & Business Relations Committee on April 7 voted to recommend that the village board approve a pilot block party permit to close North Morris Road from Capitol to Olive for the 2025 trick-or-treat event.

A trustee who proposed the idea said neighbors along Morris had been supportive in outreach and that closing the street could reduce near misses and allow a safer environment for children. Committee members discussed likely activity, such as music or small attractions, and suggested limiting the duration to about two hours to keep demands on volunteers reasonable.

Public safety staff said the police department does not have the staffing or equipment to conduct full road closures for the event; the department indicated it could support a closure if neighborhood organizers provide volunteer traffic control measures and barriers. The committee’s memo notes that only this one street can be supported at that date and time because of resource constraints.

The committee’s motion to recommend the pilot permit was moved and seconded and carried; the committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the full village board for final approval. The committee also discussed limiting closure points (keeping Kenmore open to a designated point to preserve parking access) and asked organizers to submit the formal block party permit and a plan for volunteer traffic control and safety.

The committee recorded no additional funding or staffing commitments beyond existing village support.