Arnold officials are offering residents the chance to get a glimpse at some of the machinery that makes the city work.
The Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments will hold their first-ever How Our City Works open house from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Public Works Complex, 2912 Arnold Tenbrook Road, where the city will display trucks and other equipment.
Attendees also will have the opportunity to see the renovations to the buildings in the complex.
There is no charge to attend the open house.
In addition to the Public Works dump trucks and other vehicles, those who show up for the open house will have the chance to see vehicles from the Arnold Police, Rock Community Fire Protection District, Rock Township Ambulance District, U.S. Post Office, Ives Towing and an armored truck from a local bank.
“We wanted to have the open house after all of the work was done at the Public Works Complex, and (Parks and Recreation Director Dave Crutchley) came up with an idea of showing the trucks off,” said Karen Fay of the Parks and Recreation Department. “We put the two together because it makes sense.”
The city spent $2,137,303 to renovate the complex over the last three years, Public Works Director Judy Wagner said.
New buildings for the streets and parks departments were built on the site, along with a washing station for the dump trucks. A wash-out pit and fencing were added, and new signs were installed to make buildings easier to find at the complex.
“We have worked very hard over the last three years to bring this completed project to fruition,” Wagner said. “We are very excited to show the kiddos what things are and how they work. We also want to show taxpayers that we are taking care of the environment, their equipment and everything else they have purchased for the city of Arnold to use and keep their streets and infrastructure in good shape.”
Fay said she believes the open house will attract a large crowd.
“I think children’s faces will light up when they see all of the trucks,” she said. “I think bringing our Public Works vehicles together with other entities it will be great. It is great when you can organize an event that brings in so many facets of the community.”
Fay said the city may organize a similar event in the future.
“We may do something like this again, but it will likely be held at a different location like one of our parks,” she said.
In addition to the Public Works Complex open house on Saturday, Aug. 6, Arnold will hold a 1970s-themed picnic to celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary.
Festivities are scheduled from 7-11 p.m. at Arnold City Park on Bradley Beach Road off Jeffco Boulevard near the Meramec River. Admission is free.
The event will include the fireworks that were supposed to be shot off at the city’s Independence Day celebration on July 2, which was canceled because of inclement weather. The fireworks display will begin at about 9:30 p.m.