The city of Salem’s Public Works Day is a free event where families can learn about the department’s work. (Salem Public Works Department)
Salem kids can take a walk inside a giant, inflatable orca or repair a leaking pipe when the city’s Public Works Day returns Friday.
Slated for 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Riverfront Park, the event is intended to educate families about the work of Salem’s Public Works Department.
Families who attend can watch demonstrations of water pipe repairs as well as sit in public works equipment such as backhoes, plows and dump trucks.
Kids can also walk inside the mouth of Oscar, an inflatable orca, while learning about orcas’ behaviors, diet, habitat and threats to their habitat.
There will be a booth to learn about what city staff are doing to protect drinking water in Salem, said Trevor Smith, Salem’s public works department spokesman.
Attendance is free, but the city encouraged donations of canned food or cash to Marion-Polk Food Share.
“Public Works services impact all Salem residents by building and maintaining streets and sidewalks, providing clean drinking water, maintaining parks, organizing recreation activities, planning and engineering services, treating our wastewater, and protecting the environment,” a city news release said.
Hot dogs will be served at the event. Smith encouraged those attending to dress for rain and bring an umbrella.
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
