Richmond Kiwanians Donate $2,500 Toward Safety City

House in Safety City provided by local Kiwnians. Maj. Harold "Butch" Kirby of the Madison County Fire Department., (second from left) the organizer of Safety City, poses with local Kiwanians attending the dedication of Safety City. Kiwanians attending the dedication are (l. to r.) David Harkleroad, President; Danny Damrel, Secretary; Phillis Adams, director of Head Start; Brenda Blankenship, immeidate past Treasurer, and Glen Kleine, board member.

Safety city is a city which teaches street safety, boating safety, and in the educational classroom home and school safety. Students at the Technical built the buildings in Safety City thuse reducing the cost of the project and giving the students practical construction experience.

A boat, used to teach boating safety, is built into a platform.

Within the education building children can select various safety coloring books.

A number of local dignitaries were on hand for the dedication including the Mayor of Richmond and the County Judge Executive.

The playground at safety city is used for fun and to teach playground safety.

Signs on the doors of the homes in Safety City thank the sponsors

 

'Safety City' Gives Children Realistic Learning Experience


By Bill Robinson/Register Feature Writer

Madison County officially gained a new city on Friday, October 28.

It's located near the geographical center of the county, and it's designed especially for children.

With small, but realistic buildings and paved streets, it has traffic lights, a railroad crossing, a school bus stop, a boat dock and, best of all, a playground.

Known as "Safety City" this new municipality sits behind the Madison County fire station just south of the US 25/421 split.

Safety City is a fun place for children to learn safe habits, said Maj. Harold "Butch" Kirby of the Madison County Fire Department.

The playground at Safety City is designed for more than fun, Kirby said. "It's designed to teach playground safety as well."

Safety City is also designed to teach children about avoiding poisons and other hazardous substances, Kirby said. And it's geared to teach children what to do in case of a catastrophic leak of nerve agent from the Blue Grass Army Depot.

Many school groups have already come to Safety City, and Kirby expects the facility to be a resource for schools and other groups outside of Madison County.

Almost two years in the making, Safety City was originally estimated to cost as much as $750,000, but because it was built largely with the labor of county employees, the final cost will be closer to $320,000, Kirby said.

The Madison County business community gave strong support to Safety City, Kirby added. Several buildings display the name of their sponsors, and a billboard lists all the business and civic organizations which contributed to the project.

The CSX Railroad donated the railroad crossing arm.

"Some sponsorship opportunities remain," Kirby said.

Because of his role in its building and operation, Kirby is often referred to as the "mayor" of Safety City.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.

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