Truck crashes into Valley Stream children's play place

A pickup truck hopped a curb and crashed into The Children’s Safari, located a 6 Rockaway Ave., on Thursday at 3:40 p.m. No one was injured in the accident.

The truck smashed through The Children’s Safari’s storefront window, taking out much of the store’s interior displays. Police said the driver of the vehicle was attempting a U-turn and accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal.

The truck took out one of the building’s large windowpanes that face Rockaway Avenue. It’s a separate area of the building from where parties are held.

At the time of the crash, The Children’s Safari was open for business, but according to store manager Rebecca Schwartz, no children or staff members were near the windows facing Rockaway Avenue.

Schwartz said The Children’s Safari would file all of the necessary paperwork to get store back to the way it was. She added that it is difficult to estimate to the amount of damage to the store, but there were tables, chairs and toy animals in the area that was hit.

The Children’s Safari, an interactive indoor playground for children, was open for business again on Friday. According to the store’s website, the building is more than 8,000 square feet and contains three private party rooms. Schwartz said the store predominantly hosts children’s birthday parties and summer camps.

The party rooms are in a separate area of the building, so business has not been altered since the crash. However, it is unsure what the effects on the store’s business will be just yet.

“I’m sure it will [affect business] but it’s too soon to say how much at this point,” Schwartz said.

Valley Stream Village Clerk Bob Barra was on the scene after the crash happened and remained there until wooden boards were put up a couple hours after the accident where the glass windows once stood.

Barra said Public Safety officers were put in place to ensure that no one interfered with workers while they hung the boards.

The Children’s Safari has been located on Rockaway Avenue in Valley Stream for six years.