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Children's museum Moving Downtown

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

Published: November 4, 2008

TAMPA - Cheryl Bonk grew up going to Safety Village.

She remembers school field trips in the 1980s and riding her bike around the child-sized streets and through the miniature replica of downtown, with its grocery store, fast-food restaurant, firehouse, bank and more.

Years later, she would drive past the village - now called Kid City, the Children's Museum of Tampa - and think for the umpteenth time that she needed to take her children, Michael and Emily, there.

But when she finally called to get the museum's hours, she learned Kid City soon would be leaving its spot at 7550 N. Boulevard, next to Lowry Park Zoo.

"It is something you take for granted," said Bonk, 35, of Carrollwood. "I called my husband urgently and said, 'They're closing Kid City. I'm taking the kids.'"

After almost 43 years of hosting school groups, Scout troops and families, Kid City closed its doors for general operations Oct. 4. It will reopen to the public twice, on Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, before shutting down as it prepares to relocate downtown with a new name, the Glazer Children's Museum.

The 50,000-square-foot museum, which will feature 175 exhibits in 16 themed areas, is set to open in spring 2010 at a cost of $21 million.

Museum administrator Kristen Nieves said reaction to the move has been bittersweet.

"They have fond memories of Kid City, Safety Village, the role we've played in the community here," she said. "But they are all very much excited and looking forward to what we're going to offer bigger and better in the future."

IF YOU GO
Kid City, the Children's Museum of Tampa, will open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Admission is free. For information, call (813) 935-8441 or go to www.flachildrensmuseum.com.

For information on the Glazer Children's Museum and its fundraising efforts, contact Tracy Clouser at (813) 277-0035 or tclouser@cmtampa.org, or go to www.glazermuseum.org.

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES
Do you have a favorite memory or photograph from visiting Kid City? Perhaps it was still known then as Safety Village. Do your children have a special attachment to the museum?

Send your memories and photos to gsprott@tampatrib.com or to the South Tampa News & Tribune, 202 S. Parker St., Tampa FL 33606 by Nov. 20 and we'll publish a selection online and in print. Questions? Call bureau chief Gary Sprott at (813) 259-7663.

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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