As you may have read in the "What Cooper's Corner is All About" section, Cooper's Corner is about educating and empowering kids of Southeastern Washington to be safe whenever they are on or near a street or road, by learning traffic safety issues. Because parents will be going through the exhibit with their children, they may stand to learn some things as well. Some of the many safety issues that will be addressed will be bicycle safety, pedestrian safety, and impaired driving, as well as occupant protection, (including seatbelts, car seats and booster seats), and many other issues as well.
The Cooper's Corner exhibit is a heartfelt but ambitious project that will work to save the lives of our most precious resource, our children. It is under construction now and we hope to see its completion by the summer of 2007.
This goal will be accomplished by utilizing area resources and collaborating with the WA Traffic Safety Commission, B/F Traffic Safety Task Force, Safe Kids Coalition, Health Department, Fire Departments and local businesses including multiple chamber of commerce and civic groups, along with dedicated community members and volunteers.
“Coopers Corner” will be in direct proportion to the size of its visitors…the targeted audience…children 0-12. This miniature city will be just the perfect size for the young inquisitive members of our community. It will be complete with operational streets, where kids can travel on miniature cars and experience stopping and going according to real city traffic lights, learning what red, yellow and green lights mean. Along with traffic lights, travelers will learn how to obey real city and state traffic signs including school zone signs at the local school.
The streets will be complete with crosswalks and real lighted crosswalk signs (including a button to change “Don’t walk to walk”) in an effort to teach children how to safety cross the street. From the street, visitors can enter various important pieces of the city, such as a local school to try on a real crossing guard uniform, the police station to try on miniature uniforms complete with a badge and a Fire House to try on real firefighter gear.
This traffic safety city wouldn’t be complete without a park and bike path. In this area guests of Cooper’s Corner will hop on a stationary bicycle and be able to take a "virtual" bike ride. Once pedaling starts the flat screen in front of you will automatically start as if you were actually traveling down the streets of Tri-Cities. This “virtual world bike tour” will teach the guests of Coopers Corner” about bicycle safety such as; proper hand signals, the importance of wearing a bike helmet and how to choose one that fits appropriately. After learning these important safety issues, jumping on a bicycle will seem like the natural thing to do. Age appropriate stationary bicycles will be available to lead the rider through the streets of Tri Cities. This virtual reality experience will introduce the young rider to the various elements a rider might encounter, such as vehicles, pedestrians and other traffic issues. Another important element is the proper use of our 911 system. Children will be able to push 911 and learn how to report an emergency as well as hear a real dispatcher.
Design: The buildings and back drops are whimsical but the safety elements are very real. It makes it easy to see what’s real and what’s not. This design inevitably will bring children and their families coming back over and over again. Someone once said that, "A wise teacher makes learning a joy." That is part of how Cooper's Corner will appeal to children. It has been estimated that a total amount of the project (including in-kind donations) will come to $350,000, and this is a highly worthwhile investment for our community.
The shear essence of “Coopers Corner” will promote and naturally start the process of conversation about safety between kids and adults. This is the important beginning of the education and prevention and the very key to the success of this project. As we know, children are a vital resource and can be utilized in educating adults. While visiting “Coopers Corner”, children will learn how to be safe minded, whether they are in a motor vehicle, riding a bicycle or simply crossing the street.
Location: The Columbia Center Mall (a Simon Properties) is the location where “Coopers Corner” would benefit the community most. The mall is very convenient and easily marketable. With approximately 10 million visitors a year, Columbia Center Mall is the largest shopping center in Southeastern WA and Northeastern Oregon, making it the primary shopping capital in the region.
Within the mall, the Kennewick Police Department has occupied a retail space measuring 2,446 sq. feet that has been donated to them for the last 10+ years. It’s been the prime area to house the KPD volunteers as they complete their service activities such as; children’s finger printing and bike helmet fitting. The volunteers will continue these tasks while also manning Coopers Corner.
This specific area will have ample space for hands-on, interactive activities where children will learn the necessary tools of safety. The space has a current market rental value of approx. $12,000 per month with the utilities, janitorial services and the insurance already budged and covered by the City of Kennewick. The area is in close proximity to the children’s indoor play area and the large retail store of JC Penny. In addition, Simon Properties has plans to expand.
If you would like further information, please feel free to leave a comment here on the blog, or contact the Washington Traffic Safety Commision at (360) 753- 6197 to see how you can participate.
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