Western Springs to Host Safety Village Grand Opening

Photo of the former, temporary Safety Village via Facebook.

The Safety Village of Western Springs and the Western Springs Recreation Department will host a grand opening of Safety Village from 4 to 5 p.m. June 14 at 1500 Walker Street, adjacent to the Recreation Department.

The village is a mini replica of Western Springs, complete with the town’s signature water tower, houses representing local businesses, working traffic lights and mini-bikes that serve as transportation around the streets of Safety Village.

People of all ages are welcome to experience the village first hand.

The Safety Village of Western Springs Board, Western Springs Police and Fire personnel, along with village trustees and Recreation Department personnel, will “cut the ribbon” kicking off this summer’s upcoming program, which starts June 15.

More than 150 new students, the most to date, will participate in the program.

“We are thrilled to have Safety Village as a permanent feature of the Western Springs Community. The benefits of the program are enormous,”said Chief Patrick J. Kenny, Director of Fire and EMS, Village of Western Springs. “Lessons in fire, strangers, railroad, toy, playground and water safety are taught with the aid of songs, stories, robots, puppets, movies, crafts, live play characters as well as teachers, police and firefighters. The purpose of Safety Village is to educate young children about various safety messages so that no other family should suffer the loss of a young loved one, like the Satkamp Family did when they lost their child/sister, Katie.”

Started by mothers, the founders of Katie’s Foundation launched Safety Village of Western Springs in memory of Katie Satkamp, who tragically lost her life at age 7 when her school bus driver hadn’t noticed Katie hadn’t crossed the street.

With the help of many safety professionals in Western Springs, Safety Village educates children on 55 facets of safety through books, games, videos and simulations.

For more information about the Grand Opening and the program, visit safetyvillageofwesternsprings.org.

ALSO ON PATCH