The City of Boca Raton has found an engaging way to strengthen its workplace safety culture by taking it outside.

Reimagined in 2024, the City’s Day in the Park Safety Event shifted from a traditional benefits and wellness gathering to a department-led safety showcase. Hosted this year on February 19, 2026, at Spanish River Park, the event brings together employees from across all City departments for a hands-on learning experience focused on prevention, awareness and collaboration.

Each department designs an interactive booth demonstrating how it addresses risk in daily operations. The result is a practical exchange of knowledge that helps employees better understand the hazards and responsibilities their colleagues manage.

This year’s activities included car seat safety demonstrations from Police, workplace hazard education led by Risk Management, fire extinguisher training from Fire Rescue and poisonous plant and animal awareness presented by Recreation and Parks. By showcasing real-world safety applications, the event reinforces that safety is a shared responsibility across the organization.

Participation is built into the program. Employees sign in, receive a Risk Management goody bag filled with safety-themed items and are issued a Safety Passport. To redeem their complimentary lunch, attendees must visit at least four booths, encouraging meaningful engagement and cross-department interaction. Participants are also entered into a raffle for door prizes. A panel of City executives evaluates each booth based on creativity, engagement and educational value, with the top two departments earning prizes and yearlong bragging rights.

In addition to hands-on learning, the event incorporates the City’s annual Risk Management Departmental Awards. These awards recognize measurable safety performance from the previous fiscal year, including reductions in motor vehicle accidents, workers’ compensation costs and overall liability exposure. Winning departments receive Risk Credit funds designated for safety-related purchases that directly benefit employees. Presenting the awards during the event highlights tangible outcomes and reinforces the City’s commitment to proactive risk reduction.

The move to a mid-February timeframe has improved weather conditions and increased participation, strengthening the event’s impact.

For Richard Ignoffo III, MPA, IPMA-CP, ARM, DER, Risk Manager for the City of Boca Raton, the purpose of the event goes beyond a single day of activities. “The goal of the event is to highlight safety across the City and provide an opportunity for employees to gather together, ask questions, and learn about their fellow employees and the associated risks they encounter,” he said.

By blending education, engagement and recognition, Boca Raton’s Day in the Park demonstrates how municipalities can build a culture of safety that is visible, measurable and shared across departments.