THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996 TAG: 9602150026
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: OBSCURE TOUR
LOCAL LANDMARKS THE TOUR BOOKS NEVER MENTION
SOURCE: BY EARL SWIFT, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
NEWCOMERS may give little thought to the tiny village clustered on the fringe of Norfolk's Military Circle shopping center, but the miniature buildings and streets of Safety City hold fond memories for tens of thousands of locals.
Here, in the shadow of toylike stores, homes, a church and a service station, are the sidewalks where many Hampton Roads children learn to look both ways before crossing a street.
About 3,000 children a year stroll through the 22-year-old complex, which also instructs its pupils on the meaning of traffic signs and the dangers of railroad crossings.
Visiting children - most often 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds - first are herded into a classroom, where they buckle themselves into their chairs with seat belts and learn about the colors of traffic lights and such.
Safety City's instructor, Helen Sewell, next takes them into the three-quarter-acre village, where they apply what they've learned on streets studded with signs and a working traffic signal.
``Adults might look at it and think, well, that's pretty corny,'' admitted John Hazelette, who heads Safety City's board. ``But the kids like it. And that's who it's there for.''
Through the years, Norfolk Public Schools have sent class after class to Safety City on pedestrian safety field trips. Other school districts have done the same.
Unfortunately, the years have been hard on the little burg. Its buildings are worn. Its squad of small pedal cars, once piloted through its streets to provide the village with vehicular perils, has dwindled to two rusting hulks.
Safety City's bank account is down to $5 and change. And unless the non-profit corporation that runs
it finds money in a hurry, the mock settlement may not be able to pay its utility bills.
``We're scrambling just to get through this school year,'' Hazelette said.
Several companies and civic clubs, along with public utilities and Norfolk City Hall, support the village in one way or another. Their help may not be enough to keep it going, however.
MEMO: Readers who wish to make a tax-deductible donation to Safety City may do
so by calling Hazelette, during weekday business hours, at 441-5729.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
FILE/The Virginian-Pilot
In 1975, Meyera Oberndorf, now mayor of Virginia Beach, paid a visit
to Norfolk's Safety City, where she pedaled this sporty Ford Mustang
and flashed hand signals.
by CNB