Surrey’s Halloween Village Makes Trick-or-Treating Inclusive for Everyone
Despite the rain, thousands of residents flocked to Newton’s Treat Accessibly Halloween Village on October 25, celebrating an inclusive twist on one of the most cherished holidays of the year.
The event, part of a national initiative by Treat Accessibly, transformed a local neighbourhood near 69A Avenue and Bristol Place into a barrier-free zone where children of all abilities could experience the joy of trick-or-treating safely and comfortably.
“To see kids say they’ve never been able to trick-or-treat on the street before shows how meaningful this is,” said Rich Padulo, the founder of Treat Accessibly. “We even had families clearing leaves since 6 a.m. to make sure the paths were accessible for everyone.”
A Movement Born from Compassion
The Treat Accessibly movement began in 2017, when Padulo and his daughter Siena realized a child using a wheelchair couldn’t reach their front door due to stairs. That moment sparked a grassroots effort that has since expanded to 35 cities across Canada, including Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, and Montreal.
In Surrey, homeowners registered in advance to hand out candy and participated enthusiastically—ensuring every child, regardless of mobility or sensory challenges, could join in the fun.
This year’s Surrey village drew more than 2,000 participants, with tickets selling out quickly. Padulo noted that Kinder and Mars provided treats for both kids and pets, emphasizing that inclusivity extended to furry family members too.
Surrey: B.C.’s Hub of Accessibility
Surrey was chosen as the only B.C. location for the Halloween Village because of its reputation as one of the most accessible municipalities in the province—and even the country. Its proximity to Urwin Park’s accessible playground made Newton the perfect host neighbourhood.
“We chose Surrey because accessibility isn’t just a goal here—it’s a value,” Padulo said.
Looking Ahead to Halloween 2026
As the Treat Accessibly initiative continues to grow, planning is already underway for Halloween 2026, which falls on a Saturday.
Padulo hopes to make it the largest act of accessible inclusion for children with disabilities in Canada’s history.
“Next year, we’re going to challenge the entire country to treat an hour before sunset,” he said.
Residents can also join the movement year-round by placing Treat Accessibly lawn signs, available at Pet Valu, to mark their homes as inclusive trick-or-treat spots.
“Any home can be accessible,” Padulo added. “All it takes is handing out treats from your driveway instead of your doorstep — that simple act removes 90% of the barriers.”
For more information about upcoming events and ways to participate, visit TreatAccessibly.com
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