A Visit to Safety Town in Elmhurst

By Julia Mazurek | Photos courtesy of Elmhurst Park District

On a summer morning in Elmhurst, a group of preschoolers carefully pedal their tricycles toward a four-way stop. Their tiny helmets bob as they pause, look both ways, and continue through the intersection. The streets may be miniature, but the lessons are anything but.

Welcome to Safety Town: a pint-sized city where kids learn the basics of staying safe in the world around them.

“Safety Town introduces basic safety practices to kids in an environment built just for them.”

— Jessica Marquez, Elmhurst Park District

Special features like a car wash are operated by staff on Friday mornings.

“Kids learn best by doing,” said Jessica Marquez, Division Manager of Recreation with the Elmhurst Park District. “Safety Town introduces basic safety practices to kids in an environment built just for them.”

Instead of just hearing about rules, Safety Town allows children to experience them firsthand and build confidence while learning safety essentials. They practice being pedestrians along the sidewalks, navigate road safety while riding tricycles or scooters, and learn the importance of slowing down at intersections and crossings.

“The environment looks a lot like the streets they see every day in Elmhurst, which helps kids connect the lessons to real life,” added Marquez.

Summer Camp with Safety in Mind

Elmhurst’s Safety Town grand opening in 1992

The miniature streets transform into a lively classroom during Safety Town Camp, half-day sessions offered throughout the summer that are designed for kids ages 4 ½ to 6.

The lessons extend beyond the roads. Campers meet guest teachers from the Elmhurst Police and Fire Departments, learn about fire safety, pet safety, weather awareness, electricity safety, and basic first aid.

Campers experience a bus safety lesson by boarding a school bus for a field trip to Butterfield Park, which was the original home of Safety Town. Long before its miniature buildings appeared along York Street, the park district ran a portable version of the program. As interest grew, the park district planned for a permanent site. Through the community’s support and contributions, the site opened in 1992.

More Than a Park

More than three decades later, it continues to serve generations of Elmhurst families. Now seasonally open to the public just like any other park (outside of camp hours), Safety Town has become an active gathering place for the community.

“There is some whimsy and fun to exploring Safety Town, regardless of your age,” added Marquez.

The miniature town is part of the annual Elmhurst Park District Fall Fest, when Safety Town becomes a festive trick-or-treat destination for local families. The tiny town also continues to evolve, as park district staff are working to update some storefronts and facades that line the streets.

For Elmhurst’s littlest citizens, Safety Town’s miniature community represents a step toward independence and lessons that last a lifetime.

For more information about Safety Town and the Elmhurst Park District, visit epd.org.

Know Before You Go

Safety Town: 511 S York Street, in Elmhurst’s Wild Meadows Trace

Season & Hours: Open to the public daily from April 1 – November 1, from dawn to dusk
Cost: Free

What to Bring

Safety Town becomes a trick-or-treat destination for local families during the annual Fall Fest.

• Helmet (required)
• Tricycle, bicycle, balance bike, or scooter

Permitted Ride-Ons

• Youth bicycles (including training wheels)
• Tricycles
• Balance bikes
• Scooters

Not Permitted

• Motorized vehicles
• Roller blades
• Skateboards
• Shoes with built-in wheels or skates

Take Note 

Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Friday mornings feature “Open Road” hours, when special features like traffic lights and the train crossing arm are operated by staff.

The park connects directly to the Illinois Prairie Path, making it easy to extend your visit with a family walk or bike ride.

Save the Date

Visit Safety Town during Fall Fest 2026 on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The free annual event features costume contests, food trucks, and more.