Protect the Ghosts & Goblins: Close Denton Street for Halloween 2026

To the Gainesville City Council:

We are asking the City of Gainesville to temporarily close Denton Street between Pecan Street and Hird Street to vehicle traffic during the busiest hours of trick-or-treating on Halloween, October 31, 2026.

Every year, hundreds of children and families gather in this area to celebrate Halloween. Children are walking from house to house, often in the dark, while vehicles navigate a street crowded with parked cars, pedestrians and excited children.

We shouldn’t have to wait for a child to be injured before we take a simple, common-sense safety measure.

A temporary closure would:

● Give children a safer place to walk.

● Reduce the risk of a vehicle-pedestrian accident.

● Give parents greater peace of mind.

● Allow families and neighbors to enjoy one of Gainesville’s favorite traditions.

This would be a temporary closure for just one evening - not a permanent change and not a major expense.

Gainesville’s Guiding Gainesville 2040 plan calls for downtown to become a destination for entertainment, events and community gatherings. Halloween is exactly the kind of community event that brings people together. A temporary pedestrian-friendly street would support that vision while putting the safety of our children first.

Please sign this petition.

Let’s be proactive rather than reactive. Let’s protect Gainesville’s ghosts and goblins before an accident gives us a reason to wish we had.

2026 UPDATE

This petition was originally created in 2025. We are reviving the effort for Halloween 2026 and asking everyone who supports this request - including those who signed last year- to sign again this year so we can demonstrate current community support.