1,500 CHILDREN TURN ENGLEWOOD VACANT LOTS INTO A HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION OF HOPE
1,500 CHILDREN TURN ENGLEWOOD VACANT LOTS INTO A HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION OF HOPE
Community-Wide Trunk-or-Treat Transforms Long-Vacant Property into Safe Haven for Families; Organizers Believe Event Is Among the First of Its Kind in the Neighborhood
More than 1,000 children and family members gathered Saturday on a series of vacant lots at 5900 S. Peoria St. for a community-wide Trunk-or-Treat celebration that transformed a block long associated with vacant land into one filled with costumes, candy, music and neighborhood pride.
Hosted by Shenina Fletcher, owner of Fletcher's Tiny Tots Home Daycare, the event drew families from Englewood and neighboring communities between 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. More than 20 decorated vehicles lined the vacant lots distributing candy and treats, while dozens of volunteers helped ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for children.
Organizers believe the event was among the first large-scale community-wide Trunk-or-Treat celebrations held on vacant lots in Englewood, a neighborhood that has long struggled with one of the highest concentrations of vacant land in Chicago.
For decades, Englewood has been known for its abundance of vacant lots. Studies associated with the University of Chicago's Large Lots initiative have documented thousands of vacant parcels throughout the community. While redevelopment efforts and past city programs have reduced those numbers, Englewood continues to have a significant amount of vacant land, creating both challenges and opportunities for neighborhood investment.
"This was about giving our children a safe place to celebrate Halloween and showing what is possible when neighbors come together," said Fletcher, whose daycare center has served Englewood families for nearly 15 years. "For one afternoon, a block of vacant lots became a place of joy, laughter and community. We wanted our children to enjoy Halloween the way children should, surrounded by families, neighbors and people who care about them."
The event was inspired by concerns that traditional trick-or-treating can be challenging for some neighborhood families because of vacant properties and public safety concerns. Instead, community stakeholders converted the lots into a festive destination where children could safely collect candy, show off costumes and celebrate with friends and neighbors.
"What happened here today was bigger than Halloween," said Fletcher, who has lived in Englewood for over 50 years. "People often look at vacant lots and see what is missing. Today, our community looked at those same lots and saw possibilities. We saw families. We saw children smiling. We saw hope."
Participants described the event as a positive example of how underutilized properties can be activated for community purposes and family-friendly activities.
The event concluded without incident and organizers hope to make the Trunk-or-Treat an annual Englewood tradition.
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