On Wednesday, July 23, the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works (DPW), in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, hosted its inaugural Touch-a-Truck event at the C.T. Martin Natatorium and Recreation Center, welcoming more than 250 children from Camp Best Friends.
This event provided a unique opportunity for children to interact directly with vehicles from various departments, including Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Police, Fire Rescue, Transportation, MARTA, and Emory. Attendees met the dedicated personnel who operate these vehicles and learned about the crucial roles each department plays within the community.
Designed to be both fun and educational, the event featured hands-on activities that sparked the children’s curiosity and encouraged them to explore various types of vehicles up close. From learning how street sweepers work to getting into fire trucks and petting police horses, kids explored typically off-limits environments.
The event also featured a variety of activities, along with complimentary snacks and refreshments provided by the Keep Atlanta Beautiful Commission, Mrs. Rosas’ Chicken and Waffles and Atlanta Ice Trap. Children learned to plant seeds, enjoyed interactive gaming stations and participated in an educational scavenger hunt.
DPW’s Touch-a-Truck aligns with Mayor Andre Dickens’ Year of the Youth initiative, a citywide effort aimed at enhancing youth engagement, promoting development, and creating pathways for future careers in public service. The event provided valuable education and entertainment for young attendees, while fostering a sense of community connection among the city leaders.
