{"id":11,"date":"2014-03-19T16:45:31","date_gmt":"2014-03-19T16:45:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2025-01-22T15:44:29","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T21:44:29","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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History<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h1>

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SPARK helps public schools develop their playgrounds into community parks.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>

Parks and recreation space are great assets of a world-class city.\u00a0 In 1983, the Green Ribbon Committee, a prestigious panel appointed by the Mayor and County Judge to assess Houston’s parks, reported that Houston would need at least 5,000 acres of additional park land in order to compare favorably with other U. S. cities. The SPARK program, based on one of the ideas in the final report, develops neighborhood parks on public school grounds.\u00a0 Using available public land is a fast and cost effective way to increase park acreage.\u00a0 Our goal is to create and finish selected park sites in twelve to eighteen months. In 1983 SPARK was founded by then Council Member Eleanor Tinsley. In January 1996, it was identified as a program of the mayor. SPARK has built over 200+ community parks in 18 different school districts throughout the Houston area.\u00a0 Each park is designed based on ideas and needs of the school and surrounding neighborhoods. 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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Awards\/Honors<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h1>

SPARK has received local, state and national recognition.<\/span><\/p>\n

View our List of Awards<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

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Board<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h1>

Mark Lee, President<\/em>
Attorney\/CPA<\/p>\n

Susan Sample, Vice President<\/em>
Munsch Hardt<\/p>\n

Michele Fraga, Secretary<\/em>
Tejas Office Supplies<\/p>\n

Thomas Horton,\u00a0Treasurer<\/em>
Bank of Texas<\/p>\n

Chris Gonzalez
Consultant<\/p>\n

Anne Sung
Harris County Precinct 4<\/p>\n

Carla Wyatt
Harris County Treasurer<\/p>\n

Evans Attwell
Frost Bank<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Applying for a SPARK Park<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h1>

  • <\/i>The principal of the school should send a request on school letterhead to SPARK asking to be considered for site selection.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>
  • <\/i>SPARK staff makes a site visit to schools that have applied to discuss the request with the principal and other interested parties. Site visits by SPARK staff confirm existing relationships between school and community\u2014through churches, businesses, and civic clubs. The neighborhood must demonstrate a willingness to help plan and fund the park.<\/p>\n<\/li>
  • <\/i>The SPARK staff meets with principals of selected schools to outline the park construction process. The goal is for parks to be completed within 12\u201318 months.<\/p>\n<\/li><\/ul>

    Once a school is selected, the principal forms a SPARK committee made up of PTO\/PTA, civic club members, parents, and teachers to determine what priorities and specific features will be included in their park. Touring existing SPARK Parks shows what playground equipment is available and how art and landscaping are integrated into the design. As a result of these influences, talents, and efforts, every SPARK Park emerges unique, reflecting the needs, interests, and creative efforts of its particular neighborhood.<\/p>\n

    In the fall of 2019, SPARK was awarded a second $5 million grant from Houston Endowment and the Kinder Foundation to build 30 SPARK parks over the next three years in park desert areas of Houston\/ Harris County. \u00a0As a result, the majority of schools selected during this time must qualify based on location data provided by The Trust for Public Land. In 2023 to continue the Park Desert Initiative with a third phase of 40 SPARK Parks (20 new and 20 reSPARKs) over the next four years, SPARK was awarded grants from multiple funders with lead grants from Houston Endowment and Kinder Foundation of $7 million. \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

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    SPARK Art<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h1>

    SPARK began installing public art in 1991.\u00a0 Since then, over 100 schools have chosen to incorporate public art such as murals, mosaics, or sculptures into their parks. In 2001, SPARK began publishing and distributing an annual art calendar highlighting public art projects at its various schools. Each year, approximately 15,000 calendars are distributed.\u00a0 SPARK also has a coloring book, which is distributed to students at park dedications.<\/p>\n

    Artist\/Community Relationship<\/h4>\n

    When an artist decides to work with SPARK, s\/he understands first, that while they will bring their own style and experience to the project, their primary role will be as a vehicle of expression for the community, and second, that student and community involvement are among their highest priorities.<\/p>\n

    Community Involvement History<\/h4>\n

    SPARK was a non-profit partner of the Bayou City Art Festival from 2007-2012.\u00a0 SPARK provided volunteers and shared in the profits of the spring and fall events. From 2011 through 2013, SPARK partnered with Charming Charlie stores, turning damaged materials into beautiful collages with a theme of \u201cA Day in the Park.\u201d\u00a0 Collages were sold as a fundraiser for SPARK.\u00a0 Seventy schools from four school districts participated in the collage project.\u00a0 Students from Northbrook Middle School also used the materials to create an Art Car for the 2013 Art Car Parade<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

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    Video<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h1>