On behalf of the City of Forest Grove, our City Council and our employees, I wanted to take a moment to express our deep gratitude... more
City Hall
National Public Works Week: May 16 - 22
At the May 9 Forest Grove City Council meeting, Mayor Truax proclaimed May 16 through 22 as National Public Works Week. This year's theme: Public Works: Serving You and Your Community highlights and celebrates the men and women who provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as public works.
Clean running water, effective storm drains and sewers, sturdy roads and bridges, safe building codes – these are the foundations on which we build our communities. Working together with business and citizens, public works employees plan, build, operate and maintain our country's vital infrastructure.
Instituted as a public education campaign by the American Public Works Association in 1960, National Public Works Week calls attention to the importance of public works in community life. Throughout this week, activities are taking place across the country to celebrate the dedication and commitment of public works professionals.
The public is invited to a family-friendly Public Works Fair at Washington Square on May 14 and 15 supported by Washington County, Clean Water Services, the Joint Water Commission, the Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association.
Activities for kids include:
- Spin the "Wheel of Safety," answer a traffic question and win a prize
- Become a "River Ranger" by learning about the Tualatin River watershed
- Enjoy the "A-B-C's of Green Engineering" and the "P.W. Paws" comic books
- Design a "Clean Water" magnet
- Reduce waste and care for the environment with the "Kids Stuff" activity book
- Look both ways and cross the street safely at the traffic signal crosswalk display
And for the grownup kids:
- Take the "Canines for Clean Water" pledge
- "Go Native" with native plants
- Get a free "Freeze the Grease, Save the Drain" kit
- Learn where to recycle tvs, monitors, and computers for free
- "Tip Your Lid" with recycling education and waste reduction tips
- Find out how to report street light outages
- Learn about career opportunities in public works
And for the kids and grownup kids:
- Learn more about parks in Washington County
And much more! Kids can win prizes and take home fun educational materials. Grownups will find brochures and handouts, and well-informed public works staff who can answer their questions.