Fountain Valley : Traffic Restricted in Holiday Display Area

This holiday season should be merrier for residents in the neighborhood of the annual Christmas display.

A preferential parking system will be put into place for residents this year for the annual event that attracts thousands to view the area’s holiday-decorated homes. The display will run through Dec. 31.

The display is presented by residents of Shadbush Street and Camrose, Dahlia and Dandelion circles, off Brookhurst Street and Heil Avenue. The neighborhood is across from the Fountain Valley Recreation and Cultural Center.

The City Council this week approved a permit process, which will restrict traffic to all but neighborhood residents and their guests from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Visitors may park for free at the recreation center, 16400 Brookhurst St., and walk through the display area.

In past years, increased traffic was a concern to local residents, police said. City officials said they received some complaints last year.

Additional traffic was also a concern for the police and fire departments because of a greater risk of accidents and access for emergency vehicles. The permit process is a way of controlling the area’s parking and traffic flow, police said.

The city will post signs and place barricades. Police Explorers will help patrol the area and place traffic control equipment.