Kids get big start to Month of Play with Trucks N’ Stuff
- Ellie Ruel
- Jul 12
- 4 min read
Scavenger hunt, free equipment rental, skating, swimming among activities hosted by Parks and Rec, other agencies
Horns and sirens clanged through Dimond Park at Trucks N’ Stuff on Saturday afternoon as families explored a variety of big machinery entrusted to small operators.
Vehicles from Juneau International Airport, Alaska Waste, Juneau Police Department, Alaska State Troopers, Capital City Fire/Rescue, Capital Transit, Parks & Rec Park Maintenance, and City and Borough of Juneau Streets lined the bustling parking lot. A helicopter from NorthStar touched down in the baseball field across the street.
Professional operators guided youngsters of all ages through using the noise-making equipment in their vehicles as parents photographed them in the driver's seat.
The CCFR fire engine was particularly popular, with firefighters handing out plastic fire helmets. Other hits included the TALON robot operated by JPD, where kids got the chance to try on parts of a bomb suit, and the police cruisers featuring PA systems today used to shout out family members, display musical talents or discuss the merits of certain book series.
Excavators and other CBJ equipment were the most easily accessible for the younger crowd, and pictures in the helicopter’s cockpit were the most coveted with 20- to 30-person lines at any given moment.
The event hosts also showcased their strong, silent side with a “quiet hour,” where horns or sirens were heard, before the sound showcase got into full swing for the remaining three hours.
Trucks N’ Stuff kicked off Juneau Parks and Recreation’s annual Month of Play, which will continue through early August. This year features eight in-person activities as well as a scavenger hunt. Families can also rent free sports equipment from Parks and Recreation’s downtown office, and get a “Passport to Play” that allows free access to the Dimond Park field house and both public swimming pools.
Upcoming Month of Play events
Food Drive at Zach Gordon Youth Center, July 14–26
Goosechase Scavenger Hunt, July 17–28
Movie in the Park: A Minecraft Movie (PG) at the Dimond Park Field House, July 26 at 2 p.m. (traditional showing) and 6:30 p.m. (sensory-friendly showing)
StoryPath on the Seawalk, Aug. 1–7
Level Up @ the Library, Aug. 2 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Free Family Skate at Treadwell Arena, Aug. 8 from 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Free Disco Skate at Treadwell Arena, Aug. 8 from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
According to Dawn Welch, one of the event organizers and recreation coordinator for Parks and Recreation, the play program has evolved a lot over the years.
“It used to be Day of Play until COVID, and then it evolved into Month of Play,” Welch said. “People really liked it, staff liked it, so after a couple years of that, we all decided it was here to stay. This year we decided to kick it off with this instead of ending with it to give us an opportunity to tell people what else is coming up and to give Passports to Play out.”
Sonny Mauricio, communications director at Parks and Recreation, said the series is a great outlet for the town.
“Everything that Parks and Rec does is to bring the community together,” he said. “We try to do as many free events as possible.”
• Contact Ellie Ruel at ellie.ruel@juneauindependent.com.
