This week we welcome the SPARK School Park Program as a new member of the CEC.

Among Houston’s most scenic spaces are its beloved parks, which offer an array of fun activities to Bayou City residents while helping them stay healthy and fit. To assist in expanding the area’s parkland, one local organization has developed a creative way to build parks around town especially for kids: siting them on public-school grounds.

Over the past 30 years, the SPARK School Park Program has built more than 200 community parks on public-school campuses throughout Houston and Harris County. Each of these green jewels is unique, with its design based on the ideas and needs of the host school and surrounding neighborhoods. While retaining their individuality, SPARK parks typically feature modular playground equipment, a walking trail, benches, picnic tables, trees, an outdoor classroom, and eye-catching public art. These inviting spaces are available to the public during nonschool hours and on weekends.

Each year, the program also publishes the SPARK art calendar, featuring photos of 14 SPARK parks, one for each month.

Founded in 1983 by then-City Council member Eleanor Tinsley, SPARK became a program of the Houston mayor in 1996. Since its establishment, SPARK has built parks in 14 school districts throughout the Houston area. And in recognition of its efforts to help make Houston greener, the program has received numerous honors, including the Keep Houston Beautiful, Mayor’s Proud Partner Award; the Texas Government/Agency Partnership Crystal Award; and the National Environmental Achievement Award in the Public Lands and Open Spaces Protection category from Renew America.

For more information about SPARK, please contact Kathleen Ownby, executive director, at 832-393-0911 or Kathleen@sparkpark.org.