5 days ago
- Automotive
- Chicago Tribune
Trucks, busses and even a riding lawnmower take center stage at Franklin Park summer wrapup event
Summer went out with a low, slow honk Saturday in Franklin Park. And with a couple of short beeps. And then some longer ones.
Cacophony reigned as children climbed in, explored and — frequently — sounded various horns of trucks of all shapes, sizes and duties at the Park District's annual Touch-a-Truck event.
'It's our last event of the summer,' said Park District of Franklin Park marketing manager Catherine Saponieri. 'It's a nice tradition as we go into fall.'
The trucks, lined up behind the district's banquet center, formed an imposing lineup with ladders and cranes extended high, flags fluttering in the clear morning. And it wasn't just the ladders and cranes that caught kids' attention.
'He likes trucks,' explained Cindy Kaye, out with her great-nephew, Jordan Bennett. Jordan was busily exploring a riding mower but Kaye explained his favorite were the tow trucks.
Saponieri said the morning event draws some 600 people to look at vehicles from the city's fleet as well as from private companies. She said it allows little kids a chance to see and get to know the big vehicles they may see throughout the year in their community.
'For the little ones, it's good for them,' she said.
This year, two new attractions included the WasteNot Compost vehicle, an entirely electric compost-collection van. The vehicles pick up residential and commercial compostable waste throughout the area. Also, new this year, Sunrise's Lakeview Bus Lines offered three vehicles — a full sized bus, a specialty smaller bus for kids with disabilities and a small transport van — for kids to explore.
Representatives from Sunrise were on hand in case any parents wanted to do more than explore the vehicles. The part-time, often seasonal needs of bus lines create a lot of employee turnover, and Jaime Enger, the general manager, said they're always looking to hire drivers. He said for the right person, it could be a great job — work anywhere in the area, drive anything you want.
'We do multiple districts, even Chicago Public Schools,' he said. 'We try to help out everyone we can. We stay competitive on pay and we work around people's schedules.'
While some vehicles do require passenger and commercial licenses — which Sunrise can help get — he said the driving isn't that tricky.
'They look intimidating, but they're not intimidating,' he said. 'They're very easy to drive. It's like driving a U-Haul.'
And to every other driver, safety director Barry Poole had something to say.
'Please,' he said. 'Stop for the bus's red lights. Make sure you stop for the lights.'
