Safety City Lubbock: From Then to Now
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A presentation given at the 2016 Traffic Safety Conference during Breakout Session 11: Safety Cities. By Karen Peoples, Traffic Safety Program Specialist, Lubbock District, Texas Department of Transportation
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Safety City Lubbock: From Then to Now
- 1. Safety City Lubbock From Then to Now
- 2. What Is Safety City? Safety City is a 2 ½-acre miniature city built to teach good safety habits to youngsters. This miniature city is a simulation of the real traffic environment, incorporating many of the features and traffic hazards found in the actual community. Safety City Program has been developed to aid second and fourth grade teachers in planning and organizing learning experiences that will effectively teach rules of pedestrian, bicycle and automobile safety to second and fourth grade elementary students. At Safety City, children will be able to practice the lessons they have learned in the classroom in a realistic setting. The hands-on approach will result in a better understanding of the traffic environment and its dangers. 2
- 3. How Will Safety City Work? After completing a two-week class study of safety procedures, children will make a field trip to Safety City. Upon arrival at the miniature city, a trained volunteer will present a short discussion about safety procedures to the children. Afterwards, each child will have the opportunity to practice the safety techniques taught in the classroom phase on the streets of Safety City. Youngsters will be divided into three separate groups—pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. The children will rotate throughout the three groups and thus, get to practice all safety procedures with the supervision of trained volunteers. Potential safety “hazards” such as over-passes, construction zones, railroad crossing and school zones are included so that children can learn how to react to these circumstances in real-life situations. 3
- 4. How Long Did It Take? 4 1987 Idea from Suzie King, Community Research/Development Chairperson with Junior League Dr. Velma Ruth Shambeck, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education with Lubbock Independent School District and Dr. Mike Moses, Superintendent Met with Community Center Directors and City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation Department to decide on a site. Gary Higdon with Granite Construction agreed to help with the site development and construction of site improvements. 1989/1990 Parks and Recreation Board votes unanimously to support the project and project was presented to the Lubbock City Council.
- 5. Where Will Safety City Be Located? The City of Lubbock City Council voted to donate the land located at K.N. Clapp Park, 46th and Avenue 1. Overpass 2. Classroom Facility 3. Staging Area/Electric Car-Bicycle Parking and Fire House 4. Observation Tower 5. Depot 6. Caboose 7. City Hall 8. Maintenance Building 9. School House 10.Fire Station 11.Church 5 11 2 3 8 1 9 6 7 4 10 5
- 6. Replica 6
- 7. How Long Did It Take? January 1991 Steering Committee was formed to oversee Safety City development and secure the needed funds. Junior League of Lubbock donated $60,000 to start the funds. ($775,000 needed to offset the estimated cost) The Steering Committee approached businesses to have them sponsor a miniature building with their sign and logo to maintain and lease for 10 years for $7,500 or $10,000. The City of Lubbock will provide maintenance and upkeep of the facility once it is built. Lubbock Independent School District developed the curriculum and will provide transportation for 2nd and 4th grade students to Safety City and will train all Elementary Crossing Guards at the site. The Lubbock Chapter of American Institute of Architects designed the site and the adjacent classroom facility. Many other businesses, civic groups, PTAs and concerned citizens also supported and additional cash and in- kind gifts were given to fund the facility and to keep it in operation. 7
- 8. How Long Did It Take? May 1991 Safety City’s Groundbreaking Ceremony April 26, 1993 Safety City’s Grand Opening August 1993 L.I.S.D students took field trips to Safety City 1996 Safety City begins opening to the public 8
- 9. What’s Happening Now Safety City continues to educate students from Lubbock ISD (second grade) and have included schools districts in the following counties: Crosby, Floyd, Garza, Hale, Hockley, Lamb, Lubbock (6), Lynn and Terry Cities within a 50 mile radius 9
- 10. What’s Happening Now Hours of Operation Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Field Trips and Tours Groups interested in a future safety class can tour the facility. (Church Groups, Scout Troops) Safety City Health and Safety Fairs Parents and children will be able to visit over 25 booths hosted by local health and fitness organizations and education on the correct way to install a carseat. Trick or Treat Street A night filled with fairies, superheroes for a friendly trick-or-treat extravaganza. 10
- 11. What’s Happening Now Summer Activities Summer Camp for ages 6 – 12 years old (swimming and other activities) Bicycle Lessons Bring your bicycle and helmets for a perfect fit Birthday Parties Facility rental (cannot use equipment) Special Needs Programs Safety City has ADA compliant equipment for children with disabilities. 11
- 12. Programs Offered and How Is It Operated Traffic Safety Programs to cover Bicycle, Pedestrian and Railroad, in addition to Electrical and Fire Safety Safety City is staffed with 2 full-time employees and 1 maintenance worker The Fire Department has 3 people who are rotated for Fire Safety Instruction. 12
- 13. How Many Children Visit Safety City 2015 - 2016 Participants Special Events Special Events Bicycle Lessons, Birthday Parties, Trunk-A-Treat, Christmas Carnival, Carseat Checkup Events, Summer Camps and Health/Safety Resource Fairs Participants Public and Private School Districts, Day Cares, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Open Recreation, Special Needs 2015 5,606 Participants and 13,156 People attended Special Events 2016 1,955 Participants and 13,678 People attended Special Events Special Events: Christmas Carnival, Trunk-A- Treat for Halloween 13
- 14. TxDOT’s Role Provide Educational Material for participants -Tex and Dot coloring books -Buckle Up coloring books -Other age appropriate material -Presentations on Traffic Safety topics -Carseat Checkup Events/Safety Fairs -Meeting Space for Steering Committee/Training -TxDOT Sign Shop Has Helped -Provide information/training for grant opportunities 14
- 15. What’s Happening Across the State 15
- 16. Quote 16
- 17. Make a difference in your community Contact Information: Karen Peoples TxDOT Program Specialist (806) 748-4478 Karen.Peoples@txdot.gov Johnny McClellan Recreation Supervisor City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation (806) 775-2678 JMcellan@mail.ci.lubbock.tx.us O.J. Williams Assistant Recreation Supervisor City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation (806) 775-2690 OWilliams@mail.ci.lubbock.tx.us 17