Tom Mick Village Manager | Village of Park Forest
Tom Mick Village Manager | Village of Park Forest
The Village of Park Forest Public Works Department is set to celebrate "National Public Works Week 2025" from May 18 to May 24. The celebration will include a coloring contest and a social media campaign.
Sponsored by the American Public Works Association (APWA), this event aims to acknowledge public works professionals who provide essential services and infrastructure that improve community life. This year's theme, "People, Purpose, Presence," emphasizes the core values driving these professionals in their daily service.
In Park Forest, the department will organize a coloring contest divided into age groups. Coloring sheets are available at the Park Forest Library or Village Hall and have been distributed to local schools. Participants can win a $20 Visa gift card. Submissions are due by Friday, May 23, after which winners will be selected for each age category: 5-8 years old, 9-12 years old, and 13 years and older.
Public Works Director Roderick Ysaguirre explained that the contest serves as a means of community engagement. "Last year, we celebrated our Public Works crews and posted a photo on Facebook," he said. "We took the guys out to lunch at Aurelio's Pizza and posted a photo online. This year, we want to connect with residents by hosting a daily themed social media contest to educate the public about who we are and what we do."
Ysaguirre added that they aim to engage younger residents similarly to last winter's snowplow contest. He mentioned ongoing collaborations with other departments for events like "Touch a Truck," where children can explore work trucks used by the department.
To participate in the coloring contest, submissions must include name, phone number, and address sent to the Public Works Department at Village Hall located at 350 Victory Dr., exclusively for Park Forest residents by Friday, May 23.
Alongside the coloring contest, next week's social media campaign will highlight different aspects of the department:
- Monday: A recap post highlighting last year's National Public Works Week.
- Tuesday: “I Love Public Works Because...” featuring community appreciation posts.
- Wednesday: “What Are You Wearing” showcasing crew members discussing their roles.
- Thursday: Before-and-after photos of various projects.
- Friday: The weekly newscast Park Forest Newsbreak focusing on summer projects.
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