Kids were climbing into, out of, and around the cabs of Pitt Meadows public works vehicles on Thursday, May 21, for the annual Touch-A-Truck event.
Streams of children from local public schools, preschools, and those who came with their parents lined up at Spirit Square for their turn to get behind the controls of some city equipment. The annual event was hosted during National Public Works Week, which is May 17 to 23 this year.
“Four years ago we started doing this, and the first year we got a big turnout,” said Supervisor of public works Rob Jennings. “The guys on the crew that want to volunteer get to be a part of it. They show off the equipment, and the kids seem to love crawling in and out of the backhoes.
“It’s nice for the community to see what we do, because public works isn’t always noticed,” he added.
This year’s theme for Public Works Week in B.C. is “Rooted in Service, Powered by Community,” celebrating the professionals who maintain infrastructure like roads, water systems, and public facilities.
This year the Pitt Meadows Parks department also got involved, and they served a hot dog barbecue to those attending.
Maple Ridge is having a Rock the Block event at the Operations Centre on Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. that will also be a celebration of Public Works Week.