WESTFIELD – After celebrating Independence Day at Stanley Park for several years, local motorists may have become accustomed to the Fourth of July traffic pattern in the area of the park, which will be the same this year with only one adjustment planned.
Lt. Larry Valliere, the commander of the department’s Traffic and Safety Bureau, reports that normal two way traffic will continue on Western Avenue before the display but, as in previous years, Lloyds Hill (and its intersection with Mountain View Road) will be closed at 6 p.m. to avoid traffic snarls on Western Avenue.
Parking will not be allowed on Western Avenue or on nearby side streets, such as Kensington Avenue or Granville Road, but free parking will be available at the Second Congregational Church, the Westfield State University commuter parking lot with the entrance across from Westwood Drive, and the WSU south parking lot with the entrance across from Juniper Park School.
Visitors with a valid handicap parking plate or placard will be allowed to enter Stanley Park by the main entrance near the tennis courts and will park as directed by staff. A park spokesperson pointed out that the park will be closed in preparation for event and visitors will be welcomed after 4 p.m.
As dusk approaches, Valliere said, Western Avenue will be closed to all traffic about 8 p.m. from Loring Lane to Overlook Drive
“We’re going to play it by ear” he said, but added that the road will be closed between 8 and 8:30 p.m. This year, Kensington Avenue will also close at the same time.
Valliere said that in past years motorists who stop, or just park, on Kensington Avenue, have added to traffic congestion. There are “only about 10 houses on the street” he said, and officers will visit the residents to make sure they know – and will tell any guests they expect – that the road will close as the time for he fireworks display nears.
After the sparks stop flying, about 10 p.m., Western Avenue will remain closed for 15-30 minutes until the main throng of pedestrians leaves the park. When the roadway reopens, all traffic will be required to turn right on to Western Avenue when leaving the area.
Vehicles parked on the south side of the Western Avenue will be directed east and cars parked on the north side of the roadway will be directed west toward Russell Road.
Traffic leaving the park from the rose garden onto Kensington Avenue will turn right and proceed toward Granville Road.
The traffic plan allows for the use of Lloyds Hill if eastbound traffic backs up but only if officers on the scene deem it safe and prudent.
