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Columbia Avenue neighbors ask Whitefish council to close street on Halloween for safety
Summary
Residents of Columbia Avenue asked the Whitefish City Council on Oct. 6 to close portions of Columbia Avenue (suggested Second to Sixth streets) for several hours on Halloween to reduce vehicle traffic, citing large numbers of trick-or-treaters, delivery vehicles and uneven sidewalks that limit participation for residents using mobility devices.
Several Columbia Avenue residents told the Whitefish City Council on Oct. 6 they want the city to close part of the street on Halloween to reduce vehicle traffic and improve pedestrian safety.
Ray Boxich, former mayor and a Columbia Avenue resident, said he and neighbors regularly see large crowds on Halloween and proposed closing Columbia Avenue — possibly from Second Street to Sixth Street — on Halloween for a period he described as roughly 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. “If any of you have been in the neighborhood on Halloween night, you will understand what we're talking about,” Boxich said, describing neighbors’ tally of roughly 1,000 trick-or-treaters and noting the volume of accompanying adults.
Boxich said prior attempts to address the situation had not produced a solution: city hall told him to file a special-event permit while the police increased patrols but traffic remained a hazard. He told the council, “If we could close Columbia Avenue ... it would just stop traffic going down those streets,” and that resident access could be preserved while preventing through traffic.
Janice McCann, 340 Summers Avenue, said closing Columbia to vehicle traffic would allow people who use walkers or wheelchairs to participate more easily. “If we had the streets closed, people with walkers or wheelchairs could participate much easier, and they wouldn't be at risk,” she said. McCann suggested limiting a closure to parts of Columbia (up to Sixth Street) to make enforcement easier and said alleys and adjacent streets would allow homeowners to access properties.
Paul McCann added that the event draws exuberant, sugar-fueled children and said neighborhood residents appreciated city staff and planning efforts generally.
Nicole Harris, who lives at 425 Columbia Avenue, said she last counted 1,326 trick-or-treaters at her house and urged the city to reduce traffic so neighbors can “be a community and enjoy that time and not have to worry about traffic on Columbia.”
Speakers said public-works staff had previously cautioned that closing streets might create a “false sense of security” and could push parked cars onto adjacent streets; residents acknowledged those points but said the traffic that drives through Columbia during Halloween presents the principal hazard.
Ending: Residents asked the council to consider a targeted closure that preserves resident access, uses police/barricades for control and explores options that would allow safe participation for people using mobility aids.
