Santa Maria celebrated National Public Works Week by holding a hands-on community event Wednesday, where families got to explore vehicles, equipment and interact with city workers.Â
Pine Street, which runs between Veterans' Memorial Park and the Veterans Memorial Building, was closed to accommodate vehicles like buses and garbage trucks and construction equipment such as a front-end loader and road grader.Â
Family members were able to climb in and tour the equipment and tools with help from city workers. The event was a chance for employees from the city's Public Works, Recreation and Parks and Utilities departments to interact with the community they serve. Also at the event were informational booths, food and a DJ.Â
"City staff were excited to see so many community members come out and learn about all the different aspects of what it takes to build and maintain the community infrastructure," said Dennis Smitherman, recreation services manager. "There were a lot of great questions, good music and good food. The youth really enjoyed seeing all the equipment, climbing up in it and honking the very loud horns."
National Public Works Week was first proclaimed by John F. Kennedy as an annual reminder of the many ways public works contribute to our quality of life by maintaining water systems, operating public transportation and conducting waste removal.Â
National Public Works Week runs from May 15-21 and is sponsored by the American Public Works Association.
This year's theme, "Ready and Resilient," highlights the ability of public works professionals to both perform their normal duties and also be ready to respond in the case of natural disasters or other emergencies.Â
Photos: Santa Maria celebrates Public Works Week with hands on event
Community members of all ages learn about construction equipment at the National Public Works Week celebration Wednesday in Santa Maria.
The City of Santa Maria celebrated National Public Works Week with a community event at the Veterans Memorial Park. Several public works employees were on hand to show off equipment like front-end loaders and garbage trucks.Â
The City of Santa Maria celebrated National Public Works Week with a community event at Veterans Memorial Park. Several pieces of construction equipment and other large vehicles were there for families to get hands-on tours, including getting to honk the horn. Â
The City of Santa Maria celebrated National Public Works Week with a community event at Veterans Memorial Park. The celebration allowed families to interact with the workers who help maintain waste disposal, water systems and road maintenance.Â
The city of Santa Maria celebrated National Public Works Week with a community event Wednedsay at Veterans' Memorial Park. The event brought city workers together with local families to explore the work they do to maintain the city's roads, waste disposal, water system and more.Â
The City of Santa Maria celebrated Public Works Week with a community event at Veterans Memorial Park. Families got hands-on tours of construction equipment like this road grader and a front-end loader, climbing onboard for a first-hand experience.
The City of Santa Maria celebrated National Public Works Week with a community event at Veterans Memorial Park. Workers gave out tours of the equipment to families, while a DJ played music and food was offered nearby.Â
The City of Santa Maria celebrated National Public Works Week with a community event at the Veterans Memorial Park. Local families got a chance to tour road graders, front-end loaders, garbage trucks and more.Â
Joseph Cox 4, sits in a construction vehicle during the National Public Works Week celebration at Veterans'[ Memorial Park in Santa Maria. Kids were encouraged to honk the horn while climbing on board for a hands-on experience.Â
Community members learn how construction equipment operates at an event Wednesday marking National Public Works Week. The event at Veterans' Memorial Park also included a DJ, food and informational booths where families interacted with city workers.
A Santa Maria Utilities Department employee shares information during a National Public Works Week event in Santa Maria Wednesday. Families got to tour equipment and share stories with local workers.