SEPTEMBER 2025 UPDATE: SAFETY CITY NEEDS YOUR HELP

Safety City and the City of Calgary have been working hard since February of this year to find a new location for the program since the Safety City site is required for construction purposes for the Water Treatment Expansion Plant. So far the City has not been able to find us a new home.

This puts Safety City in the position of having to (hopefully) temporarily close the program at the end of this fall season, October 31st, until it can be re-established. A location is desperately needed, as is fundraising, to develop the new site into the mini-town that the children love. The little town, with real roads, sidewalks, traffic lights and train crossing signals, creates a fun environment where the children use large trikes to practice the classroom training. Their experience in this setting supports the memories of the safety lessons they learned there.

At this time, more than ever, pedestrian traffic safety education is critical and it’s important that it be taught at a young age. Calgary children are safer with having Safety City as a resource in the City’s focus on traffic and pedestrian education and safety. We need to be sure this community resource is not lost.

As many of you know, the program has been teaching road safety to children for nearly 60 years in Calgary, 39 of which have been at the well-known site at North Glenmore Park. We’ve had tremendous verbal support from parents and even grand-parents who have participated in and loved Safety City, but now we need help. We have letters of support that can be used for fundraising and grant applications, but not until we have a new location.

It's important to know that Safety City is not dissolving. We are optimistic that a site will be found and we will be re-establishing the program at that time. We likely will not be offering the spring classes but it’s possible that the fall may be available.

If anyone has knowledge of possible suitable, serviced land of about an acre in size, please contact Sandra Millar, Administrator for Calgary Safety Council, at millaroffice@shaw.ca.

FEBRUARY 2025 UPDATE: SAFETY CITY PROGRAM IS STILL OPERATING

The recent sudden announcement that the Water Treatment Plan Expansion Program will be proceeding sooner than expected has resulted in media coverage – paper, TV, radio, etc. – suggesting that Safety City will no longer be in operation.

This is NOT the case. We will be offering the program at its current site, where we’ve been for over 40 years, at least until the end of October 2025. In the meantime the City is looking for a new site for us which would be ready for the 2026 season. However we are currently appealing to the City to allow us to remain where we are as the projected use by the water treatment expansion project is for a temporary construction laydown area until construction is complete.

SAFETY CITY PROGRAM

Safety City has reopened September 2022.

The pricing is $10.00 per student, with a flat rate of $220.00 or whichever is greater for class size 1-16 students. The number of students over 32 (two classes) will be charged at $10.00 per student and extra billing via authorized credit information on contract. Small class sizes may be combined up to 16 students to avoid two instructors.

Call the office at 587-500-9952 or 403-287-2990 (no messages) for more information.

Each year an alarming number of people are involved in accidents, in all types of situations and locations. The saddest of all are those involving children. Evidence suggests that children are often living in a world of play when they are in the traffic environment.

Many studies have been made by various agencies as to the most effective approach to traffic education. It is the general conclusion of all studies that the hazards of the streets are indelibly inscribed in the minds of the young, if such training is given to children in their formative years. Safety City provides this environment in an actual miniature city, complete with streets, traffic lights and classrooms.

Safety City Curriculum
Safety City Rates

Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians
Pedestrians

Notes

  • This program is centered towards children ages 4 to 8 years of age (generally kindergarten to grade 3).
  • The program is held at our Safety City location during April -June and September-October.
  • Each class is 90 minutes in duration.
  • Important Note: It is imperative that classes arrive on time and that buses are ready to leave immediately after the conclusion of the 90 minute program due to other incoming classes, and to ensure administrative duties are fulfilled.
  • During this time period, students will learn the basics of pedestrian safety and driving safety.
  • The program starts indoors teaching the children the signs and lights of the road, as well as the proper method of safely crossing the street.
  • After the classroom instruction, children move outside to our miniature streets which include train tracks, street lights, crosswalks and street signs where they will practice their skills.
  • Each student will practice as a pedestrian, and being a safe "Driver" on our tricycles.
  • As this is an outdoor program, be prepared for any type of weather, this includes Sun Screen. Rain or shine we are out there. Parent helpers also take an active part.

Address

1717 50 Ave SW Calgary, AB

THE SAFETY CITY PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS!

Please contact the office for details.

Note: We welcome questions regarding special needs groups and whenever possible would adapt a program to accommodate them. Contact Sandra Millar, Administrator, Calgary Safety Council at millaroffice@shaw.ca.

587-500-9952 403-287-2990 (no messages)