2017 National Public Works Week Celebrates How Public Works Connects Us

In conjunction with the American Public Works Association, this week from May 21-27, municipalities throughout the U.S. and Canada are celebrating National Public Works Week to honor public works professionals who plan, design, build, manage and operate the infrastructure that ensures a higher quality of life for communities. Instituted as a public education campaign by APWA in 1960, National Public Works Week calls attention to the importance of public works in community life.

2017 Theme: “Public Works Connects Us”

The 2017 theme of National Public Works Week, “Public Works Connects Us,” celebrates the vital role public works plays in uniting people and communities.  This year’s poster artist is Dan Cosgrove, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and a graduate of the University of Cincinnati who subsequently moved to Chicago for a freelance career. Cosgrove has won numerous major awards, including a Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators.

“The 2017 NPWW poster illustrates that as the cornerstone of their communities, public works provides, maintains and improves structures and services, such as streets, roads, bridges that keep us linked from coast to coast, as well as clean water and sanitation services that keep us healthy and allow communities to grow and prosper,” said APWA President Ron Calkins, P.E., PWLF, Public Works Director in Ventura, CA (retired).

APWA encourages municipalities with public works agencies and professionals to take the opportunity to make their stories known in their municipalities during the week. The National Public Works Week How-To Guide is one of several resources the association makes available to agencies to assist them in the development and implementation of their own celebrations.

Recognizing Public Works Contribution

In cities across the U.S. and Canada, National Public Works Week represents an opportunity to honor public works professionals for their tireless work keeping infrastructure running smoothly that often goes unnoticed. Celebrations include parades, open houses, displays of public works equipment, programs for civic organizations and media events.

“Having served as a city council member, I have seen the enormous contributions public works professionals make to our communities,” said APWA’s Executive Director Scott Grayson.  “They are creative problem-solvers who do not require recognition despite the fact that they may work around the clock plowing streets, fixing water main breaks, ensuring our drinking water is clean, and cleaning up after fires or storms. They are often the first ones in and the last ones out. APWA’s members work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for their communities in which they work.”

To recognize the contributions made by public works professionals, the APWA issues the Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year award annually.  This award has been a cornerstone of National Public Works Week since its inception in 1960 and more than 570 public works professionals who reflect the highest standards of professional conduct for public works officials have received it. It recognizes honorees for discharging critical responsibilities in connection to the design, construction, maintenance and/or operation of major public works projects and activities in large and small municipalities throughout North America.

For more information about National Public Works Week, visit  www.apwa.net.