Posted on August 18, 2017 at 8:56 AM by Communications Department
The City of Newport News Departments of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Engineering, and Public Works partnered with Newport News Public Schools for the third year of the Summer Program for Arts, Recreation and Knowledge (SPARK). A class of rising third graders from various schools around Newport News spent several afternoons at Palmer Elementary learning from city staff about city operations and the importance of taking care of our city’s environment.
Students learned about the functions of various divisions of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. They had the opportunity to look inside an Animal Control officer’s truck and to learn about preservation of Newport News’ rich history by city archaeologists and preservationists. The children particularly enjoyed riding in the City Tree Crew’s bucket truck to plant their own garden plants with Landscape Services staff.
Additionally, the students learned about stormwater pollution prevention from Engineering Environmental Services staff, and learned first-hand from Public Works Stormwater staff how the city keeps its storm infrastructure clean. The kids also watched a Vactor truck demonstration and learned how to operate a remote-controlled transporter with a camera used for infrastructure inspections.
For more information about SPARK visit the Newport News Public Schools
website.