Commission pauses haunted walk; keeps fall paddle, 5K and craft fair on calendar

The Recreation Commission agreed to pause this year’s haunted walk and instead concentrate staff and volunteer resources on other fall and winter events, including a fall paddle, a 5K and a November craft fair. Jason proposed the change and described the staffing and safety rationale.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the haunted walk requires volunteers, safety oversight and trail work; with the department’s lead staffer leaving and trails still under assessment, the commission decided to suspend the walk for the current season to reduce safety risk and operational strain.

What was said: Jason proposed pausing the haunted walk so volunteers and staff could focus on three monthly events in the fall. "I would like to propose that we potentially this year hold off on doing our, haunted walk, and do our fall paddle, our 5K, and then our craft fair," he said. Commissioners and staff said permits, vendors and volunteers are already in place for the paddle, 5K and craft fair; they recommended keeping those events and reallocating volunteer resources from the haunted walk.

Programs and logistics: The commission reported the fall paddle has a lead volunteer (Eric Turr) and the 5K organizer (Mark Hennick) is coordinating shirts, porta-potties and vendors; the craft fair had most vendor slots sold and required primarily day-of logistics. Commissioners discussed relying on community volunteers and partners (including PFG and Swayze) for trunk-or-treat and other family events during the season.

Ending: Commissioners said they may revisit the haunted walk in a future year once trails are repaired and staffing levels are stable; in the near term they will focus on supporting already-scheduled events and lining up volunteers and vendor logistics.