SAFETY VILLAGE: FACT NOT FICTION

Safety Village has been a part of the Site Plan at Maryknoll Park since the first Master Plan was developed. This is a project of the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization, the Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn and the Glen Ellyn Park District for several years

Over the last 3 years the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation has also donated over $20,000 to the Glen Ellyn Park District Scholarship Fund. The Scholarship Fund enables every child and family in need the same recreational opportunities as everyone else in the community. The Foundation holds an annual fundraiser at Maryknoll Park, Putts for Kids, every June.

The Safety Village Lake Ellyn Boathouse and Bells & Whistles Buildings debuted at the 2009 Fourth of July Parade. This year the Library building debuted at the Parade and the Stacy’s Tavern building is nearing completion. The Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation has donated $25,000 for the infrastructure – utilities and grading to get this project off the ground and to install the completed buildings. The Site Plan for Maryknoll Park which includes plans for Safety Village is located on the Glen Ellyn Park District website:

http://gepark.org/assets/PDFs/Maryknoll%20Park/Maryknoll%20Development%20Plan.pdf

On Saturday, September 11 Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society held an Oktoberfest at Lake Ellyn Park. This year’s event raised funds for Safety Village at Maryknoll Park.

The $600,000 cost is the architect's estimated cost opinion for the project if no fund raising is received for the project. The GEPD is very hopeful that donations will drive the remaining portion of the project. The fact is that numerous people that donated homes are ready for the project to get off the ground. If nothing is done the project will just be kept on the back shelf. The district cannot fund the entire project which is the reason that it has been put on hold for so many years. The Parks Foundation Board decided to get things moving and offered $25,000 to get the program off the ground. Once the infrastructure is completed buildings can be added to the site and use the facility without a classroom if need be.

As an example Naperville’s Safety Town project cost approximately one million and was funded by the Naperville Junior Women’s Club. Run by the Naperville Junior Woman’s Club in cooperation with the Police and Fire Departments, this miniature town includes streets, tiny buildings, a railroad car and a classroom building. Safety awareness programs are held in the summer for children entering kindergarten and first grade. Classes are also held for residents on topics including babysitting clinics, bike safety, senior citizen crime prevention, women's safety and self-defense.

The following is from the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation Page on the Park District website:

Safety Village Project:
Building a Safer Future for Our Children

The Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation, Kiwanis Club of Glen Ellyn and Glen Ellyn Park District invite you to join with us and help make a permanent Safety Village of Glen Ellyn a reality.

Safety Village is a long-running, popular program developed and run by the Glen Ellyn Park District. Curriculum-based, it is designed to build a foundation of safety awareness in young children, age four through seven. Key lesson components include personal, pedestrian, passenger, home and play safety incorporated into a fun atmosphere that helps develop a child’s confidence, self-reliance and sound decision-making abilities.

Staff engages students through play that teaches them how to handle specific safety situations such as being approached by a stranger and how community workers help people. Classroom visitors, such as local fire fighters and police officers, games, crafts, music, stories, films and role-playing are integral program features.

Injuries are a leading cause of death and disability among school-aged children. Many of these tragedies could be prevented if children had the proper knowledge and skills to avoid them.

The Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation’s goal is to help the park district’s program achieve exceptional status by providing students with an experience that more closely resembles real-world situations they encounter daily. Instead of describing situations and playing make-believe, children would be placed in settings that where they can practice the safety lessons they have learned in the classroom.

An permanent safety village in Maryknoll Park would be ADA handicap accessible. It will allow children to travel through a replica of the Village of Glen Ellyn, passing through intersections named after real streets and riding their bikes past buildings that look like the actual businesses where they shop, eat, visit and travel with their parents. A permanent Safety Village will include:

* Railroad Safety
* Stranger Danger
* Electrical Safety
* Bicycle Safety
* Animal Safety
* Basic First Aid Practices
* Home and Personal Safety
* Fire Safety
* Water Safety
* Recognizing Safety Signs
* Safe Passenger and Pedestrian Practices
* Child Restrain Safety
* Role of Police Officers/Fire Fighters/Paramedics
* Appropriate use of 911

A permanent Safety Village will help Glen Ellyn’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens grow up to become tomorrow’s happy, healthy adults. For additional information please call Cory Atwell at 630-858-2462, x 116 for a personal visit to your business or to schedule a presentation to interested organizations.

How Can You Help?
There are many ways to become involved, including financial and in-kind sponsorships and donations. We would be pleased to offer further information on the sponsorship level that best suits you and your organization. Please consider the positive affects you can make and the lasting impression to the community should you choose to participate by making a donation or by volunteering your time. Our sponsorship package offers a wide variety of involvement and provides on-site publicity, annual sponsorship days in the Village and recognition on the prestigious Safety Village "Wall of Fame."

Charitable Organization
The Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization. All donations made to the foundation are tax deductible. This is an excellent opportunity to show your support for education and safety. To become a part of this project, please send checks, payable to the Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation, to:

Glen Ellyn Parks Foundation
185 Spring Avenue
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

Donations
Click here to download a Donation Form

Sponsorship Opportunities
The sponsorship levels outlined below will recognize both financial and inkind contributions. Sponsors will be appropriately recognized through onsite signage, print advertising, promotions, various media and formal or ceremonial events. Sponsors donating $50,000 or more will be provided with an opportunity to work with the foundation to develop appropriate personalized recognition that reflects their significant contributions to the community.

Sponsorship Benefits
- Unique recognition for many years to come
- Increased community profile
- Demonstrated corporate citizenship
- A chance to save lives and make a real difference in the community
Sponsorship Levels

Diamond ($50,000 and Above)
Press Release w/Photo
Appreciation Plaque
Name of “Wall of Fame”
Sculpture in Safety Village w/Commemorative Plaque
Link on Foundation Website

Platinum ($25,000 to $49,999)
Press Release w/Photo
Appreciation Plaque
Name on “Wall of Fame”
Bench in Safety Village w/Commemorative Plaque
Link on Foundation Website


Gold ($10,000 to $24,999)
Appreciation Plaque
“Name on “Wall of Fame”
Tree Planted in Maryknoll Park w/Commemorative Plaque

Silver ($1,000 to $9,999)
Appreciation Plaque
Name on “Wall of Fame”

Bronze (Up to $999)
Appreciation Certificate
Name on “Wall of Fame"
Sponsorships include, but are not limited to:

Police Station/Civic Center
This structure will carry the name of the sponsor and appropriate signage.
$8,000

Train Station
This building will be a miniature replica of the train station in downtown Glen Ellyn.
$8,000

Fire Station (Storage)
This 12' x 18' building will be a replica of either the southside or northside fire house in Glen Ellyn. The building will house storage for the bicycles and other equipment.
$30,000

Smoke House
The building will consist of three rooms, large enough for children to learn the proper way to exit a burning building.
$25,000

Building Sites
Twenty building sites will be offered for construction throughout the Village. Building sites will be offered on a first come basis and site size will vary from 6' to 10' frontage.
$8,000 to $10,000

Train Cars/Tracks/Signals

Train Car and Track $25,000

Train Signals (electric) $20,000

Train Signals (non-electric) $17,000

Pedal Cars/Bicycles (SOLD)

Pedal cars and bicycles are a key component to the traffic safety curriculum. Cars and bicycles will be marked with company/organizational name and/or logo.
$100 to $200 each

Street Lighting
Fifteen decorative street lights will be placed throughout the Village.
$500 each

Street Names
Street signs will be customized to the sponsor’s request. Signs can be a company, organization, family name or named after an individual.
$500 each (one per family/donor name)

Classroom Furniture
Tables and chairs are necessary for the classroom. A plaque will be displayed in the classroom recognizing the sponsor.

Tables - $150 each

Chairs - $40 each

Benches

Six benches will be placed throughout the Village.
$1,200 each

Fountain
A decorative fountain, incorporating the Glen Ellyn Park District logo, will be located in the center of the Safety Village. Cost includes purchase and installation of fountain.
$15,000

Fencing
6' high decorative fencing around the site (225 l.f.).
$26,000

Brick Pillar
6' High Brick Pillar (8)
$1,400 each

Landscaping

Shade Trees (12) $425 each

Shrubs (50) $45 each

Perennials (300) $12.00 each

Misc. (1) $5,000

Sod (778 sq. ft.) $3,500

Irrigation System $15,000

Site Excavation

Sponsor may choose to fund the cost of the work or contribute on an in-kind basis.
$15,000

Paving
Work consists of constructing asphalt roadways, concrete sidewalks, building slabs, and permeable parking lots. Sponsor may choose to fund the cost of the work or contribute on an in-kind basis.
$42,000

Lake Site Improvement
Install pond system/waterfall/faux culvert. Sponsor may choose to fund the cost of the work or contribute on an in-kind basis.
$25,000

Site Utilities/Underground
Work consists of installing PVC surface drain basins, PVC piping, two concrete catch basins, and copper water line to fountain and irrigation system, and installation of electrical work. Sponsor may choose to fund the cost of the work or contribute on an in-kind basis.
$30,000

The estimated Cost construction for this project is $546.652.00, with the funding being provided by donations.

The next Regular Board Meeting of the Glen Ellyn Park District Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 7:00 PM. The meetings are held at the Spring Avenue Recreation Center (SARC) 185 Spring Avenue. As with all meetings, the public is invited and welcome to attend.