Houston Republic

A Houston-based nonprofit that helps develop community parks out of public schools’ playgrounds continues to raise funds for Phase II of its project.

SPARK fulfilled its Phase I project of creating 25 new parks and renovating five parks in 12 independent school districts and three charter schools since 2016, with the help of investments of $2.5 million each from Houston Endowment and Kinder Foundation, a press release said.

Houston Endowment, which according to its website is a private philanthropic institution founded in 1937, and Kinder Foundation, which its website said was created in 1997 by Rich and Nancy Kinder, each contributed $2.5 million to SPARK’s Phase II project, which will create 15 new parks and update, or re-SPARK, 15 more over the next four years, the press release said.

“As with Phase I, the Phase II parks will each be designed to reflect the character of the school and surrounding neighborhood, incorporate feedback from the community and include a unique public art component,” the press release said.

SPARK's website said the parks are unique.

“While all of the parks are different, a typical park consists of modular playground equipment, a walking trail, benches, picnic tables, trees, an outdoor classroom, and a public art component,” SPARK’s website said.

SPARK’s goal is to increase to 75% the number of Houston residents living within 10 minutes of a park by 2040.

Among schools that will be involved in Phase II will be Arabic Immersion Magnet School (Houston ISD), Braeburn Elementary (Houston ISD), Blue Ridge Elementary (Fort Bend ISD), Carrillo Elementary (Houston ISD), Collins Elementary (Alief ISD), JP Henderson Elementary (Houston ISD), Lakeshore Elementary (Humble ISD), Landis Elementary (Alief ISD), Royalwood Elementary (Sheldon ISD) and Terrace Elementary (Spring Branch ISD). Additional schools will be vetted and selected in the coming months.