Halloween traffic restrictions praised in Ottawa Hills

11/22/2007

Prohibiting most vehicular traffic on some streets of Ottawa Hills which are traditionally used by many costumed children on Halloween made the night a treat, according to Marc Thompson, village administrator.

Only residents were allowed to drive in an area roughly bounded by Indian Road on the south, Secor Road on the east, Kenwood Boulevard on the north, and the schools on the west.

The plan was adopted because of potential safety issues with so many children on the streets.

Mr. Thompson said everyone he talked to thought the idea was a success.

The school's booster club brought out its concession wagon and handed out about 500 boxes of popcorn, he said.

"We handed out about 1,500 Glo-Sticks, and ran out of hot chocolate, after I forget how many gallons," he added.

He said there were no reports of any problems and that village residents and others who came looking for candy all seemed to have a good time.

Parents told him it was a pleasure to let their kids go and not feel they had to cling to them, and residents told him that without the traffic it was like living in a park with children playing and having a good time.