Councilor Alicia Bowman and some of her colleagues have been pushing the idea of Play Streets as a partial answer to some of the play and socialization issues in the Covid world. The concept originated in Seattle and has spread to other cities. You can see a slide deck here with details. More here from the National Association of Traffic Officials. The idea is “to provide opportunities for kids to get out and get exercise consistent with social distancing on a regular basis to supplement time in school or other activities.” Here’s a slide that describes the proposed process:
When we met the other day, Alicia suggested that the concept could be easily adapted for Halloween, helping to resolve some of those thorny issues about door-to-door trick-or-treating and so on. You could imagine, for example, a 5-6pm organized socially distant parade on closed streets (with both the costume mask and the protective mask on each child.) Tables could be put out for treat pickups in front of the houses that want to offer them, for the families that want to permit them. Perhaps other activities could also be organized.
The idea clearly is not for major thoroughfares, but there are a lot of neighborhood streets in Newton that “don’t go anywhere.”
The one objection I’ve heard is that there would be a fear of attracting large crowds. The response, I guess, is that only the families that are likely to walk there are likely to come. Your thoughts?
Or we could just have regular Halloween.
When all of this is over we will remember the crazy contortions. Nobody will lament that we should have just ruined a few more things.
For one off events, like the Halloween example cited, we already have a process and a form for that.
For anything ongoing or more permanent, I think the equity issues would make this a non-starter.
My sons are making new Halloween traditions for their kiddos. Art activities, making Halloween cookies, watching a movie. One of the boys is already wearing his costume daily and loving it. There are a lot of ways to make Halloween fun and safe.
We’ll probably do a “reverse” Halloween – drop off a treat on the doorstep of children we know before the witching hour. But for the first time, during the typical trick or treating time our house will be that one I’ve always scorned – lights out.
I love the idea of Play Streets for regular times. Though it doesn’t work for all neighborhoods, it could be one of a menu of options for opportunities for kids to play outdoors, especially as it gets colder.
Hmm.
I’m not getting why regular trick or treating can’t go on safely in these Covid times – i.e. masks, outside, keep your distance, etc
I don’t see trick or treating as a big spreader. With what we’ve learned is that surfaces are not a huge risk and the biggest risk is sustained indoor contact without a mask. Maybe people don’t want to hand off the candy, but why not sit on the stoop and put little bags of candy for kids to grab themselves? I think it seems low risk. The kids have been through so much, let them have this tradition adapted slightly for 2020.
That said, I really love the Play Streets idea in general.
Adam, equity issues? Please explain. All people would have access to the streets in many neighborhoods in the city. Why is it inequitable?
Paul, equity on two fronts:
First, if we’re treating these “play streets” like small playgrounds, trying to balance access so that everyone has one safely accessible nearby. Some cities like Somerville seem to be taking a more strategic approach, laying out their “shared streets” so that they connect for walking and cycling to destinations, not just for kids meandering around a cul-de-sac. This can mean a road diet or installing a bike/ped lane along arterial routes to make it possible to safely access village centers or open spaces. The latter seems to have much more impact both short and long term.
Second, why should some get to declare their street as effectively a private way for play, while others have to deal with traffic in front of their homes? It’s a slap in the face to those who don’t already have safe streets, and it has long-term impacts on traffic patterns and property rights. I’d much prefer we focus on traffic calming and safety where it’s needed.
If this is just for an occasional event, then none of the above applies, but we don’t need a new process either.
Ah, I see. I see those kinds of objections as recipes for not experimenting with a new idea. Traffic calming, for example, likewise started with experiments, and then it spread–and, as you suggest, likely deserves additional locations. And, of course, I’d love more bike routes, but that’s a different topic in my mind. There’s nothing inherent in this concept that demands a “route” of play streets, although that’s nice if the logistics work out like in Somerville.
Depends what our goals are. I see it as all closely tied together. Safe routes won’t happen by chance.
I’m fine with short term experiments. Quinobequin is one. But giving people private ways is frankly a privilege. That shouldn’t be ignored.
You what is part of Halloween tradition? Masks! Won’t be hard to encourage both kids and adults to don masks Halloween night.
Rather than mask policing the BC Football team and re-engineering Halloween, perhaps Councilor Bowman can divert her talents to more practical issues like getting schools re-opened for teens or coming up with creative ideas to keep our restaurants in business.
YES. @Matt Lai: Rather than mask policing the BC Football team and re-engineering Halloween, perhaps Councilor Bowman can divert her talents to more practical issues like getting schools re-opened for teens or coming up with creative ideas to keep our restaurants in business.
EXACTLY
Matt and Amy, unfair and piling on. Alicia was attempting to present a thoughtful idea to give children some opportunities for outdoor activities in their neighborhoods, and the Halloween idea was simply an extension of that. Why would you want to discourage councilors from offering creative thoughts in between the other large and small issues they face? BTW, the schools are under the jurisdiction of the elected School Committee, not the City Council.
@paul, is it “piling on” when my comment was the first to question Councilor Bowman’s efforts?
“Alicia” loves to Tweet; from criticizing BC football team to sharing this V14 post regarding her, “thoughtful ideas (on Halloween). And I am fully aware that schools are not under the jurisdiction of the City Council, but neither is Halloween event planning.
Coming back to my main point though…I just wish she is as passionate about getting High Schools re-open and helping Newton businesses stay in business than she is about trick or treating. Fairly certain the little ones will have a good Halloween, with or without “Alicia’s” thoughtfulness. Halloween’s on a Sat this year.
Jerry – Maybe I was trying to say in a roundabout way that this year kids may see more darkened houses (which I’ve always scorned), but the people inside are still in the holiday spirit. It’s not the people outside at risk, but the people inside may be.
While I can’t really speak for Alicia, I don’t think she equates having a fun Halloween with instruction in the school buildings. That being said, thinking about how to get kids outdoors, especially as the temps go down, is a laudable goal.
Here are my thoughts on Halloween.
The CDC labels traditional trick or treating a high risk activity:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween
I don’t want to get into a debate about it. The point is, whether any of us as individuals consider those risks acceptable or too high, there isn’t going to be consensus because we all have different circumstances, different risk thresholds, and different family needs. As Jane said, that likely means more dark houses for people who would like to participate in some way, but have concerns or risks.
That’s unfortunate. While many people believe that giving out/collecting candy is the core of Halloween, I believe the spirit of the holiday is deeply rooted in community. It’s the one night we visit strangers’ houses without fear or inhibition. At this difficult time, we need more community, not less. If we can adapt our traditions a little, we can involve more people, rather than fewer, and maybe make Halloween even more special and inclusive.
First, we need to set the expectation that giving out candy is optional this year, and that you don’t need to “go dark” if you don’t have any. If you don’t feel comfortable giving stuff out, just post a sign “Sorry, no candy”. Parents can just as easily load their kids up on their own. It’s just this year (we hope!). Yes, disappointment, but is shouldn’t ruin Halloween.
With that issue out of the way, we can celebrate the “see and be seen” part of Halloween. Families or socially-distanced groups of friends can roam the streets together, dressed up and carrying lanterns (as simple as a plastic pumpkin with a flashlight in it). I get my inspiration from the JP lantern parade.
Residents can also make an extra effort to decorate their houses, from fancy ghoul scenes to inflatable pumpkins to driveways with candle-lit jack-o-lanterns. Sit outside and watch people go by. Make it a mini-porchfest: play some music, tell a spooky story. Wave to the passers-by. If you want to, talk to your neighbors or school parents and lay out a parade route. If you’re high risk, you can always watch from your windows. If people want to offer candy, that’s their business (and the choice of trick-or-treaters).
If there’s a map of great houses to visit (I think NextDoor has one), people can walk, bike, or drive (if necessary) to see them. Again, a little like porchfest or open studios. We don’t want crowding or indoor activities, but that’s not an issue for a huge portion of homes.
This is an idea that takes no central organization, no huge amount of planning, no formal city action. It can let our city’s pent-up creativity shine. Too much has been taken from kids this year. Let’s try and create something special out of necessity. Maybe we’ll start new traditions.
I love trick or treating each year, but if the CDC says it is high risk, we won’t be handing out candy (too bad, since it is a Saturday night). I love seeing every kid ring my doorbell. But I know the bunching that happens at my door every year. I also know that I am not comfortable being so close to people (even if it is for a minute or two). Unfortunately my elderly mom depends on me for groceries and chores, and I can’t take any risks for my own family.
While we could put a table outside and have kids grab a candy or two, it works if there is nice weather. If it is raining, we will be watching a movie and hoping no kids egg our house for skipping the year.
Or you can ghost the kids on your block. Wellesley does that (maybe just parts of Wellesley). The idea is to drop some candy at the door step, ring the bell and escape without being seen. In this case, though you might want to get seen so the kids know which neighbor is thinking of them. Can be done a few days before.
Not the same thing, but something!
Not only is Halloween on a Saturday, it’s also going to be a full moon. Would have been a great night for kids (and other Halloween fans).
Funny thing Matt Lai. Back in the June/July, when a bunch of parents were complaining about the lack of communication from the SC and the likelihood that there would be no school readiness plan, I distinctly remember you dismissing our concerns and to just trust the system to work itself out. So it’s a bit ironic to see you going after Alicia and be so passive aggressive about it.
@Matt Thank you for your suggestion that I do something to help the schools and the restaurants. I worked on both of those issues. For schools, I advocated that the City Council have meetings with the SC and administration on public health issues and facilities. I called on Public Buildings to commit to a more extensive testing of every classroom and for that information to be shared. Both of those things are now happening. There are now regular updates to CC on these two issues. Beyond that the rest is in the purview of School Committee. In the meantime, play streets is good for kids, providing another safe place to get some physical exercise that they may be missing not being in school.
As for restaurants, I have been part of a small number of city councilors who have been advocating since late spring to make plans for restaurants. I did help to organize flower pots to be delivered to restaurants and organized volunteers to plant them. I also got the city on board to let the barriers be painted. Paula Gannon from PR&C did a beautiful job organizing all the artists. I supported a reduction in licensing fees. Most recently I organized a City Council hearing with restaurants to discuss their needs and how what Newton is doing compares to other communities, including Waltham in hopes of convincing the administration to change some policies.