Smokey the Bear came out to educate on the prevention of wildfires.

Environmental Day event goers, and even their furry little friends, partake in the Broward County MPO's survey on transportation planning.

Family Environmental Day in Coral Springs
January 27, 2007

The new Sawgrass Nature Center, located in the Sportsplex Park of Coral Springs, celebrated their grand opening on Saturday, January 27th during the city’s third annual Family Environmental Day. Returning from a two year hiatus, the event featured a 5-K “Walk for the Wild,” live animal presentations, exhibits, games, entertainment, a plant sale, a Green Market, and a Photo and Art Contest.

Environmental-conscious exhibitors included organizations like the Florida Division of Forestry and the Broward County Air Quality Division. The Broward County MPO had their on-site display and transportation planning professionals to speak to the public about the transportation planning process and survey event attendees.

The MPO event team surveyed 55 attendees during the event. Of those surveyed, almost 50% stated their major transportation concern was the lack of bicycle facilities within the community. Other issues of concern included traffic congestion and the county’s need for more trees and landscaping.

Global Groove event goers stop at the Broward MPO's Mobile Information Station to complete a short transportation planning questionnaire.

The Hollywood community, as well as visitors from surrounding cities, gathered to watch the many diverse musical performances that Global Groove featured.

Global Groove
June 23, 2007

The City of Hollywood’s Park and Recreation department hosted Global Groove, a musical event to help promote diversity within the community. Global Groove took place on Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Hollywood Young Circle’s new ArtsPark. The event featured many performers, Dream Ark Entertainment circus acts, strolling magicians, an African American Mobile Museum, arts & crafts and more.

The Broward MPO staff engaged more than 100 event goers, distributing MPO promotional items and transportation questionnaires. Over 70% of those surveyed stated that the information they were provided regarding the Broward MPO was helpful.

Hurricane-prepared event goers visited the Broward MPO table to gather information on transportation issues and complete questionnaires.

Residents of Plantation, as well as visitors from surrounding communities, listened to important tips on how to preapre for the 2007 Hurricane Season.

Hurricane Preparedness Expo
June 2, 2007

On Saturday, June 2nd, the Broward MPO team was onsite at Broward County’s second annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo to distribute newsletters as well as Sun Trolley fliers, Broward East/West Express (BEWE) fliers and other MPO information and promotional items. The team also surveyed 86 attendees during the event. Of those surveyed, almost 40% stated their major transportation concern was traffic congestion. Other issues of concern included mass transit and the need for more bicycle facilities.

This year’s Expo was held at the Broward County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in Plantation, the county’s nerve center during hurricanes and other emergencies. Free and open to the public, it featured more than 40 exhibitors providing important information on hurricane preparedness. In addition to the Expo, the event also featured tours of the EOC as well as the county’s Mobile Command Vehicle and Fire Safety House.

The Chics and Eggs teams compete to answer questions in the program's educational game "Don't Crack the Egg".

Mrs. Lander's and Mr. Byington's classes gather around Buddy for a special school photo.

Hollywood Park Elementary School
May 14, 2007

The 2007 tour concluded at Hollywood Park Elementary on May 8th. To date, we have visited 18 schools with this educational interactive student outreach program.

The students at Hollywood Park Elementary were very eager participants in the 50-minute program, answering questions and providing insight into where we could build a sidewalk at their school.

On the return visit, the students from Mrs. Lander’s class had a vote-off to choose the final names for Chic and Egg, while Mr. Byington’s class enjoyed discussing the importance of transportation safety as well as their summer travel plans. Fun was had by all!

Tradewinds Elementary students were eager to answer the BIG questions about the Broward MPO.

Each student was given a special folder that included a transportation questionnaire, puzzle, certificate of appreciation, book mark and ballot sheet to help name Chic and Egg.

Tradewinds Elementary School
May 8, 2007

On Buddy’s next stop of his six-school tour, he got the opportunity to interact with the third and fourth grade students of Tradewinds Elementary School in Deerfield Beach.

With almost 50 students present, Buddy, helped teach the kids the importance of communicating transportation needs by shaping their school environment with a game called “Where Should the Road Go.”

On the follow-up presentation to the school, we learned that once a month, the students and faculty of Tradewinds Elementary give back to the environment by participating in “Bike and Walk to School Day.” On this day, students who live nearby opt to ride their bikes and walk to school, rather than having their parents drive them. They also hold a talent show and raffle off a new bike or scooter, sponsored by community sponsors.

Event goers take a break from the free rides and Cinco de Mayo festivities to complete a transportation questionnaire.

Miramar Day's foam pit was a hit, especially with the kids! Attendees of all ages jumped in to escape the season's hot weather and cool off.

Miramar Dayl
May 5, 2007

On Saturday, May 5, 2007, the City of Miramar turned 52 years old. In celebration, the city held a Cinco de Mayo celebration at Miramar Regional Park. The event kicked off with a hurricane expo providing safety tips, hurricane related supplies, and giveaways.

The main festivities began at 5 p.m. and included a children's show, live entertainment, dancing, free rides for all ages, face painting, and a foam pit for children to play in and cool off.

The Broward MPO was present with the Mobile Information Station and display to hand out questionnaires and answer questions about transportation planning. A total of 54 event goers participated in the transportation questionnaire. More than half specified that they were concerned about the traffic congestion within the Miramar community. Other areas of concern included the need for bicycle facilities and a mass transit system.

Event goers complete a short questionnaire regarding transportation planning.

Surveyors enjoyed browsing through the latest issue of SHORTCUTS, Broward MPO's quarterly newsletter.

Cooper City's Founder's Day
April 28, 2007

Every April, Cooper City residents come together for the city’s annual Founder’s Day Celebration. This year’s festivities took place on Saturday, April 28th, at Brian Piccolo Park. The Cooper City community came out to enjoy parades, a classic car show, arts & crafts, children’s activities, bingo, games, and great food.

In the evening, event goers enjoyed a variety of music concerts in the park and a fireworks show that lit up the night sky.

While onsite, Broward MPO staff members engaged more than 50 event participants who took the time to complete a short questionnaire regarding transportation planning. The majority of the event attendees surveyed had written comments to share, ranging from questions about equestrian trails, traffic congestion, and mass transit.

Broward MPO presents Quiet Waters Elementary with a certificate of appreciation.

Mrs. Pinzon's fourth and fifth grade students take the stage for a photo with Buddy.

Quiet Waters Elementary School
April 27, 2007

On the third school stop for the 2006-2007 school year, Buddy, his friends Chic and Egg, and members of the Broward MPO staff visited the students at Quiet Waters Elementary School in Coconut Creek.

The fourth and fifth grade students from Mrs. Pinzon’s class had fun participating in the program and interacting with Buddy.

One week after the initial presentation, the students then gathered together in the school’s media center for the follow-up visit, where the MPO staff went over the homework assignments and held a vote-off to choose the winning names for Chic and Egg.

Students raise their hands to answer the big questions about transportation.

Students from Winston Park Elementary take a moment to pose with Buddy.

Winston Park Elementary School
April 13, 2007

Buddy and his friends, Chic and Egg, visited Winston Park Elementary on April 13, 2007 to teach a group of third and fourth grade students about transportation planning in Broward County.

Buddy and his team presented a fun and interactive program that helps explain the importance of having a voice in the transportation planning process. The students were very receptive, answering each of the questions that Buddy asked.

In one exercise, students took part in designing a sample sidewalk project for their own school. With the help from their fellow classmates, selected students determined how wide the sidewalk should be and where it should be built.

On the follow-up visit, the students surprised the Broward MPO staff with thank you cards.

The students of Coconut Creek Elementary enjoyed learning with Buddy and the gang about transportation planning.

Students were excited to receive folders that included a transportation questionnaire and a ballot that gave them the opportunity to name Chic and Egg.

Coconut Creek Elementary School
April 10, 2007

The second school visit for the 2006-2007 school year took place on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at Coconut Creek Elementary, home of the Cougar Cubs. Despite it being their first day back from spring break, the students were very eager to participate in the 45-minute program, answering questions and providing insight into decisions such as building a sidewalk.

Students were asked at the end of the presentation to take home their folders and have a parent or guardian help them determine how to best use the $100.00 budget provided to make improvements within the community. The following Monday, the Broward MPO staff returned to Coconut Creek Elementary to go over the homework results. The students had fun participating in the vote off to name Chic and Egg.

The Broward MPO staff showed their token of gratitude by providing the teachers and faculty of Coconut Creek Elementary with a framed certificate of appreciation to be hung in the school's front office.
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Students cast their votes for new names of the Broward MPO mascots, Chic and Egg.

Broward MPO Staff present Certificate of Appreciation to school officials at Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School.

Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School
March 23, 2007

On March 23rd, The Broward MPO visited Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary School with their interactive student outreach program. This was the first stop of the 2006-2007 school year for the Broward MPO.

The 30-minute presentation offers a fun and interactive lesson in which students are taught about transportation planning by a giant remote control car named Buddy. Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary students were given lessons about transportation planning, careers in transportation, and transportation safety through the educational program.

A follow-up visit was made to the school on March 30th, in which Broward MPO staff reviewed the homework assignment, which was to spend $100.00 on our local transportation system. The students were asked how they would spend the $100.00 on transportation improvements, based on what they consider to be most important. Choices included building new roads, improving road safety, and providing walking or bike paths.

The Broward MPO fans were a big hit with event goers of all ages at this year's Hispanic Fest.

Members of the Pembroke Pines community filled out transportation questionnaires and voiced their opinions regarding transportation issues within the community.

The 19th Annual Hispanic Fest
March 17, 2007

Pembroke Pines community residents, as well as event-goers from the tri-county area, came to the Pembroke Pines Community Center on Saturday, March 17th to celebrate Hispanic Fest 2007.

In its 19th year, this annual festival, organized by Hispanic Unity of Florida, celebrates Hispanic culture and traditions and is Broward County’s longest-running Hispanic Festival.

This year’s festivities featured the Broward MPO informational display and transportation planning professionals that surveyed and spoke to event-goers about the local and regional transportation planning process.

There were also delicious Latin foods, Salsa dance lessons, arts & crafts, children’s entertainment, and live Latin music on two stages, including performances by El Gran Combo, Jorge Celedon, and Tobby Love.

The Broward MPO event team surveyed 98 attendees during the event. Of those surveyed, almost 50% stated their major transportation concern was traffic congestion. Other issues of concern included the county’s need for better mass transit systems and lower bus fares.

Broward County MPO representatives were on hand to answer event goers’ questions regarding transportation planning.

Featuring a Kids Korner with a bounce-house, clown and face-painting, the Sistrunk Festival attracted locals of all ages.

2007 Sistrunk Historical Festival
February 24, 2007

On February 24th Fort Lauderdale celebrated Black History Month with one of Broward County’s premier events, the 2007 Sistrunk Historical Festival. Festivities kicked off with a parade of floats, cheerleaders and bands that traveled down historic Sistrunk Boulevard, and then ended with a big celebration at Reverend Samuel Delevoe Park.

This year’s entertainment headliner was platinum recording artist Avant. Other entertainment included hip/hop, reggae, and R&B urban performers, along with dance groups, step teams, arts and crafts, and plenty of great food! Also present, a Kids Corner Village that featured a bounce-house, clown show, face painting, and a play area just for the little ones.

The Broward County MPO was present with their display and transportation planning professionals to speak to the public about the transportation planning process and survey event attendees. A total of 83 event goers were surveyed throughout the day.

Of those surveyed, almost 37% indicated that their major transportation concern was regarding mass transit, while 36% stated traffic congestion. Other issues of concern included safety and funding.

Smokey the Bear came out to educate on the prevention of wildfires.

Environmental Day event goers, and even their furry little friends, partake in the Broward County MPO’s survey on transportation planning.

Family Environmental Day in Coral Springs
January 27, 2007

The new Sawgrass Nature Center, located in the Sportsplex Park of Coral Springs, celebrated their grand opening on Saturday, January 27th during the city’s third annual Family Environmental Day. Returning from a two year hiatus, the event featured a
5-K “Walk for the Wild,” live animal presentations, exhibits, games, entertainment, plant sale, Green Market, and a Photo and Art Contest.

Environmental-conscious exhibitors included organizations like the Florida Division of Forestry and the Broward County Air Quality Division. The Broward County MPO had their on-site display and transportation planning professionals to speak to the public about the transportation planning process and survey event attendees.

The MPO event team surveyed 55 attendees during the event. Of those surveyed, almost 50% stated their major transportation concern was the lack of bicycle facilities within the community. Other issues of concern included traffic congestion and the county’s need for more trees and landscaping.