Tag Archives: SPARK park

Mandarin Immersion Magnet School dedicates new Dragon & Phoenix Spark Park 

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Mandarin Immersion Magnet School students on Friday climbed aboard a dragon, a phoenix, and other colorful playground equipment at the school’s dedication of its new Spark Park.

The Dragon and Phoenix Spark Park is the first in a series of Spark park dedications around the city. November is going to be a busy month, with 10 new parks opening in five school districts – three more of which are in HISD.

During Spark Week (Nov. 13-17), eight more parks will be dedicated, including parks at HISD’s Hartsfield Elementary, Clifton Middle, and Mark Twain Elementary.  Continue reading →

Five campuses celebrate neighborhood parks during SPARK Park Week

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A tennis court, a pond, landscaping, vertical gardens and a volleyball court are just a few of the new features at a brand-new SPARK park at Clifton Middle School.

Clifton is one of five HISD campus that took part in observing SPARK (School Park) Week from Nov. 14-21, which celebrates the transformation of public school grounds into neighborhood parks — a collaborative effort involving the City of Houston, Harris County, HISD, parent-teacher groups, and the community.

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Texans star presents $12,000 check for Looscan ES SPARK park

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A group of lucky fourth- and fifth-graders at Looscan Elementary School exchanged high fives with Houston Texans star Vince Wilfork on Tuesday as he arrived at the school’s SPARK park to present a $12,000 check for new playground equipment.

Wilfork, accompanied by United Healthcare team members, presented a grant that will help replace the school’s 20-year-old playground equipment. The 12-year NFL veteran and first year Texan teamed up with United Healthcare and the Dreambuilders Foundation to make the donation through the Vince Wilfork Foundation. The nonprofit organization provides funding for diabetes research, education and care, and financially supports disadvantaged children who need assistance.

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Revere MS community dedicates STEM-focused SPARK Park

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Revere Middle School on Wednesday hosted a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new SPARK Park on campus.

The park features a new minimalistic structure, designed by University of Houston graduate architecture students, and provides an attractive entryway to the school that doubles as a covered bus stop.

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Four Campuses Celebrate New Outdoor Spaces at SPARK Week Dedications

Kindergarten students perform a routine set to Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” during the dedication of the Moreno ES SPARK park on Nov. 21.

A rain barrel system and a fruit tree orchard. A new walking trail and an outdoor classroom. These are just a few of the attractions now gracing four new SPARK parks at HISD campuses across the city.

The parks, which were formally dedicated on Nov. 21 and 22 by SPARK park representatives and campus officials, are located on the grounds of Almeda, Berry, Moreno, and Tijerina elementary schools.

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Bejeweled playgrounds to celebrate SPARK Week

A playground made out of rhinestones and a schoolhouse trimmed with pearls were among the sparkly sights as students at about 40 HISD schools created collages made out of pieces of jewelry for an art show benefiting the SPARK School Park Program.  The nonprofit group helps schools develop their playgrounds into community parks, and has transformed 110 playgrounds at HISD schools alone since 1983.

Click here to view pictures of SPARK Week 2012 artwork and park dedications.

Broken bracelets and tangled necklaces used to create the collages were donated by locally owned accessory chain Charming Charlie. The art was auctioned off at a reception Monday night, and raised a total of $4,000 for the organization to continue developing community parks around the city. SPARK often incorporates art from teachers and local artists celebrating community culture and heritage into park landscaping.

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