Neighborhood Block Parties
The Town of Westfield is a genial community that has long supported the tradition of neighborhoods hosting annual block parties. For purposes of this discussion, a block party is defined as an outdoor public party hosted by the residents of a residential town block. Although there may be one or two residents serving as coordinators, a party is considered a block party only when it is hosted by the residents of the block as a group. It is important to keep this distinction in mind as a private party does not constitute a block party, even if all the residents of the block are invited.
When planning a block party, please keep in mind the following guidelines:
The residents of the block where the block party is planned to take place must secure written approval from the Town to close a street to vehicular traffic by completing a Request for Permission to Host Block Party application form and submitting it to the Town Administrator. Block parties can only take place on municipal roadways, though requests to close municipal arterials and/or collector streets may not be approved due to issues associated with traffic volume and/or circulation.
A deposit of $25.00 for the use of barricades in the form of a check made payable to the “Town of Westfield” is required to be included with the completed application form that is submitted to the Town Administrator’s office. The deposit will be returned to the applicant via regular mail once the Department of Public Works confirms that it has received all of the barricades that it lent out to the party planner.
Applications for a block party may not be made earlier than two weeks before the party date.
Generally, only one block may be approved for street closure, though unique circumstances and/or roadway configurations will be given special consideration.
Block parties may be held between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays or Sundays, from May 1 through the Columbus Day weekend, and on federal holidays (Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and Columbus Day).
Generally, one block party per year per block may be requested.
When a request for a block party is approved, please remember that any applicable laws and town ordinances such as those with regard to amplified music, the leashing of dogs, no markings in the street, and so on remain in effect.
In case of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstance, it is suggested that a “rain date” be included with your request.
The Town of Westfield makes every effort to approve the residents’ requests to host a block party. However, there may be certain circumstances, schedule conflicts, or locations that would prevent approval.