Halloween high-traffic neighborhood taking new safety measures

One of the busier Halloween neighborhood destinations in Graham on South Rodgers Drive will be closed off to traffic this year as a safety measure for those in attendance.

Portions of South Rodgers Drive will be closed to non-residential traffic from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Parking will be available on neighboring streets and at First Presbyterian Church at 1400 Randy Drive, with handicap spaces available.

Closed intersections will be Green Street and Rodgers Drive, Randy Drive and Thomas Lane and Thomas Lane and Melissa Drive. Allowed on the street will be residential vehicles, handicap tagged vehicles, trick or treaters, strollers, wagons, ATVs, golf carts and hayrides.

The Graham City Council approved the request for the road closure during their meeting Thursday, Oct. 10. City council member Jeff Dickinson said the measure is something desperately needed.

“Between Rogers and Oak Forest, the two roads that are closed, (for) the past 30 years I’ve lived on those two streets. I’ll say we are very fortunate never to have an incident,” Dickinson said. “But over the past 10 years, I’ve seen it has become the place to go on Halloween. I think this is an absolutely brilliant idea. It’s been needed to be brought up year after year. ...I do think it can be accomplished. I think the community would embrace it.”

In an attempt to make sure that the safety measures were something wanted by the neighborhood, two Graham residents surveyed the homeowners in the area regarding the potential change.

“In the area we’re closing there’s between 75 and 80 houses, and I wanted to make sure that my request was reflecting the wants of that area since I don’t directly live on Rodgers,” Sarah Lundgren said. “…So we went and talked to every house, and I created a five-question survey and we talked probably right over half of all the houses. And the houses we didn’t get to talk to we left notes.”

With large Halloween decorations allowing all who visit to get into the spirit of the holiday, the residents bring something different compared to other neighborhoods.

“The houses (in that neighborhood) go all out. I really think the whole reason Halloween is successful in Graham is because of the citizens that live over there,” Lundgren said. “They hand out over a thousand pieces of candy, they decorate their homes, they welcome thousands of people in their neighborhood… and they do it with a smile on their face.”

Along with barriers, at the event will be volunteers from the city of Graham which will help with traffic from the allowed vehicles.

“The Graham Police Department is supporting the road closures,” Lundgren said. “…Randall (Dawson) with public works found four volunteers to man the barricades so that residents aren’t having to get in and out of their vehicles. They can open the barricades and keep the people out that aren’t following what we are requesting be allowed.”

For questions or comments regarding the change, contact Lundgren at 254-977-2609.