SAFETY CITY EXPANDS AT CITY PARK

With so many "latch-key" children in today's society, bicycles have become a necessary form of transportation for many. It is important that each child be taught the "rules of the road" and other safety measures that could one day save his or her life.

Members of the Noon Optimist Club of Jackson, feeling that it is imperative that these children have a safe environment in which to learn, have developed a traffic safety village located in the Jackson City Park. "SAFETY CITY USA", was officially opened March 19, 1992. A group of local contractors, cement masons, & business men met with the Optimist Club and prepared to break ground on a miniature village that would provide the children of our area an attractive and fun place where they can learn and play safely for many years to come.

A total of 591 man hours have thus far been donated by 34 area craftsmen to help Safety City become a realty.

Lone Star Industries, Penzel Construction, Lappe Construction, Fronabarger Construction, Cement Masons Local 908 and numerous individuals have made generous contributions to help the Jackson Noon Optimist Club complete this award-winning project.

With the assistance of the Southeast Missouri Home Builders Association, Safety City will be near completion. Members of the association gathered at the miniature city in the Jackson City Park April 8 and constructed a "child-sized" city hall, police and fire stations and a library building. During the past week Jackson High School "Peer Tutors" placed a little "country store" building near the "Little Red Schoolhouse." The students have been constructing the building as part of a school project under the supervision of Kenny Spooler. Kenny and his son, Doug, built and donated the school house for Safety City. The final phase will be the addition of a piece of playground equipment in the form of a wooden "jalopy" car. Jack Johannes will be building this as part of his Eagle Scout project. The large wooden sign, as well as the park benches in Safety City, were constructed by Eagle Scout Michael Cracraft. Safety classes are conducted each year at Safety City.

The Jackson Noon Optimist Club, assisted by the Jackson Police and Fire Departments, will host classes each Saturday from May 6 through June 10. The class includes training in fire safety, "stranger danger," pedestrian safety, school bus safety, as well as instruction in the "rules of the road."

Each child participating in the class will receive a free bicycle helmet and other safety-related information. A total of 750 children from all over the area have been given helmets and safety information at Safety City since the facility opened.

The Jackson Noon Optimists received special recognition for their Safety City project at the Optimist International Convention in June 1993. Safety City was selected as the best overall project of any Optimist Club worldwide. Safety City has also received an Award of Honor from the National Safety Council.

Registration for classes at Safety City will be held April 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 Noon at Jackson City Hall. To participate in the program, children need to be of kindergarten through fourth-grade age. For more information concerning Safety City phone 243-4404.