Families students and residents explore the vehicles, workers and equipment that help keep Folsom running every day
The sounds of excited little ones echoed through City Lions Park as a menagerie of big trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, flashing lights and more reflected in the wide eyes of youngsters Wednesday morning as thousands of residents packed one of Folsom’s most popular family events, City Works Day.
Bursting with activity from start to finish, the annual event once again transformed the park into a giant interactive playground of public works vehicles, emergency response equipment and educational exhibits as youngsters climbed aboard giant trucks, explored police vehicles, met city employees and learned firsthand how the City of Folsom operates behind the scenes each day.
What began years ago as a community outreach event during National Public Works Week has steadily grown into one of Folsom’s favorite civic traditions, drawing families from across the region eager to get an up-close look at the massive vehicles and machinery they often only see passing by on city streets.
This year’s event featured everything from towering garbage trucks, dump trucks and street maintenance equipment to tractors, utility vehicles, police motorcycles, SWAT response vehicles and large fire engines. Nearly every exhibit attracted steady lines throughout the morning as children eagerly waited for their turn to climb into driver seats, honk horns and pose for photos inside the oversized machines.
Several area schools also planned field trips around the event, bringing groups of students to City Lions Park for a hands-on educational experience unlike a typical classroom lesson. Teachers guided excited students from booth to booth as city employees explained how traffic signals function, how roads are maintained, how water systems operate and how crews respond to emergencies throughout the community.
For many youngsters, the highlight came from simply being able to touch, explore and climb aboard the equipment. Children darted from one exhibit to another carrying giveaway items, stickers and helmets while parents snapped photos from nearly every corner of the park.
Long lines formed around the popular garbage trucks as youngsters waited patiently for a chance to sit high above the crowd inside the giant cabs. Nearby, children climbed into construction vehicles and tractors while public works crews explained how specialty equipment is used for roadway repairs, storm response, landscaping and maintaining city infrastructure year-round.
The educational side of the event remained front and center throughout the morning. Interactive displays gave residents a closer understanding of the many systems and services operating daily behind the scenes in Folsom. One popular attraction allowed children to “make it rain” at a stormwater demonstration table, helping families better understand drainage systems, runoff protection and water management practices throughout the city.
Curby the recycling robot once again became a crowd favorite as children gathered to interact with the friendly recycling mascot while learning about waste management, recycling efforts and environmental stewardship programs throughout the community.
Throughout the park, employees from multiple city departments answered questions and discussed everything from parks maintenance and traffic operations to public safety careers and emergency preparedness. Residents had opportunities to speak directly with workers responsible for maintaining streets, water systems, parks, drainage infrastructure and city facilities.
Public safety exhibits consistently drew some of the day’s largest crowds. Families packed around displays from the Folsom Police Department where officers welcomed children into patrol units, motorcycles and specialty vehicles while discussing law enforcement operations and community safety.
Mounted patrol horses quickly became one of the event’s most photographed attractions as children gathered to meet the horses and speak with mounted officers. Nearby, police K-9 teams generated excitement throughout the morning as families interacted with handlers and learned more about the important role the dogs play in public safety operations.
At the Folsom Fire Department exhibit area, firefighters welcomed visitors aboard towering fire apparatus and emergency vehicles while discussing fire prevention, rescue operations and emergency response services. Youngsters climbed through engine compartments, examined rescue equipment and posed for countless photos behind the wheel of the department’s massive rigs.
Parents could often be seen smiling alongside their children as they explored the same giant trucks and specialty equipment that many adults admitted they still enjoy seeing on city streets today. The combination of oversized machinery, flashing lights and hands-on activities created an atmosphere that appealed to visitors of every age.
The event’s location adjacent to the Folsom Public Library and the nearby Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary also helped many families turn the morning into a full day of activities. Following their visit to City Works Day, many attendees continued on to the library and zoo sanctuary to extend their family outings.
Throughout the morning, City Lions Park remained packed with activity as the sounds of air brakes, emergency sirens, diesel engines and children’s laughter echoed through the event grounds. Families flowed steadily between exhibits while city employees spent hours interacting with residents and answering questions about the many services that help keep Folsom safe, clean and operating smoothly.
For many attendees, City Works Day once again delivered far more than just an opportunity to climb aboard a giant truck. It provided a meaningful look at the dedicated people, equipment and infrastructure working every day behind the scenes to support the community.
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