{"id":19,"date":"2014-03-19T16:46:24","date_gmt":"2014-03-19T16:46:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2025-01-22T15:15:56","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T21:15:56","slug":"partnerships","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/partnerships\/","title":{"rendered":"Partnerships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"x-content-band-1\" class=\"x-content-band vc bg-image man\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Osburne_010-copy.jpg); background-color: transparent; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;\">\n<div  class=\"x-column vc whole\" style=\"\" ><hr  class=\"x-gap\" style=\"margin: 300px 0 0 0;\"><\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"x-content-band-2\" class=\"x-content-band vc\" style=\"background-color: transparent; padding-top: 50px; padding-bottom: 50px;\"><div class=\"x-container-fluid max width\">\n<div  class=\"x-column vc whole\" style=\"\" ><h1  class=\"h-custom-headline h1\" ><span>\n<p>Partnerships<\/p>\n<\/span><\/h1><hr  class=\"x-hr\" ><ul  class=\"x-nav x-nav-tabs four-up left\" ><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item active\" ><a href=\"#tab-1\" data-toggle=\"tab\">School Districts and Charter Schools<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item\" ><a href=\"#tab-2\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Government<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item\" ><a href=\"#tab-3\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Businesses<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item\" ><a href=\"#tab-4\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Other Non-Profits<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item\" ><a href=\"#tab-5\" data-toggle=\"tab\">EarthShare of Texas<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item\" ><a href=\"#tab-6\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Trust for Public Land<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item\" ><a href=\"#tab-7\" data-toggle=\"tab\">University of Houston School of Architecture<\/a><\/li><li  class=\"x-nav-tabs-item\" ><a href=\"#tab-8\" data-toggle=\"tab\">Reliant Energy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div  class=\"x-tab-content\" ><div id=\"tab-1\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in fade in active\" >\n<h1>School Districts and Charter Schools<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" > SPARK currently works with 18 school districts and 4 charter schools in the Greater Houston area:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Aldine ISD<\/li>\n<li>Alief ISD<\/li>\n<li>Channelview ISD<\/li>\n<li>Clear Creek ISD<\/li>\n<li>Crosby ISD<\/li>\n<li>CyFair ISD<\/li>\n<li>Fort Bend ISD<\/li>\n<li>Galena Park ISD<\/li>\n<li>Goose Creek CISD<\/li>\n<li>Houston ISD<\/li>\n<li>Huffman ISD<\/li>\n<li>Humble ISD<\/li>\n<li>Katy ISD<\/li>\n<li>Klein ISD<\/li>\n<li>Pasadena ISD<\/li>\n<li>Sheldon ISD<\/li>\n<li>Spring ISD<\/li>\n<li>Spring Branch ISD<\/li>\n<li>YES Prep East End<\/li>\n<li>YES Prep Gulfton<\/li>\n<li>The Lawson Academy<\/li>\n<li>Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The school district provides $5,000 for each park and is responsible for overseeing construction of the SPARK Park, as well as maintenance of the park after completion.\u00a0 They have also offered many other valuable services, such as the printing of SPARK\u2019s business materials and calendars, networking, and basic problem solving. Each school selected is given a goal of raising $5,000 for their park.\u00a0 Penny drives, bake sales, school carnivals, candy sales, spaghetti dinner, \u201cbuy a brick\u201d drives, rummage sales, and numerous other events are staged to generate the funds. \u00a0Trees are contributed by Trees for Houston. Classes volunteer to care for trees planted in the parks.\u00a0 Local businesses often help with in-kind contributions, and local architects, landscape architects, and artists are solicited for their professional contributions through the parents, spouses, and teachers at schools.<\/div><div id=\"tab-2\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<h1>Government<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" > Since 1986, funding has come from the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.houstontx.gov\/housing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department<\/a> in the form of Federal Block Grants for schools that qualify by census data.\u00a0 Federal money has also been obtained through <a href=\"http:\/\/www.csd.hctx.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harris County<\/a> and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ci.pasadena.tx.us\/default.aspx?name=comdev.home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">City of Pasadena<\/a>. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.houstontx.gov\/council\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Houston City Council<\/a> members have attended SPARK groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies, helped recruit volunteers, and contributed through council district service funds.\u00a0 The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.houstontx.gov\/mayor\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mayor\u2019s office<\/a> provides office space and related supplies which keep administrative costs to a minimum. SPARK has benefitted from a long time partnership with <a href=\"http:\/\/hcp1.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Harris County Precincts 1<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hcp2.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hcp4.net\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">4<\/a>.\u00a0 Commissioners for each of these precincts have provided funds and in-kind contributions for schools in their districts. SPARK has received funds from Management Districts, MUD Districts, and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zones (TIRZ).<\/div><div id=\"tab-3\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<h1>Businesses<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" > Tremendous support has come from the private sector since the SPARK program was founded by City Council Member Eleanor Tinsley in 1983. There are many ways citizens can show support: funding, supplying volunteers for tree planting and landscaping, working on public art projects, helping with fundraising activities, and seeking resources such as design services, landscaping, and artists. Corporate sponsors provide $5,000+ for each park.\u00a0 They participate in groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies, and often provide volunteers.\u00a0 The SPARK program and SPARK schools are deeply indebted to the commitment these sponsors have made to their community. The mutual appreciation and cooperation of the schools, school districts, city and county government, corporate sponsors, and involved citizens are what truly set this program apart.<\/div><div id=\"tab-4\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<h1>Other Non-Profits<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" >\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.treesforhouston.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Trees for Houston<\/span><\/b><\/a> provides native Texas trees, which they plant in and around the park.\u00a0 Classes will often \u201cadopt a tree\u201d and are provided instruction in proper watering techniques.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/urbanharvest.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Urban Harvest<\/span><\/b><\/a> has provided programming and helped to develop garden areas in SPARK Parks. Gardening and nutrition education for youth is vital to cultivating healthy kids and healthy communities.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.tpl.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Trust for Public Land<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0compiles the City of Houston&#8217;s park score. SPARK works with TPL to provide information for their annual park survey. TPL has previously conducted\u00a0an audit of all SPARK Parks, compiling statistics on usage and how SPARK might better serve the public. TPL also has created the mapping tool SPARK uses to better understand park locations and surrounding demographic information.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a title=\"Houston Arts Alliance\" href=\"http:\/\/houstonartsalliance.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Houston Arts Alliance<\/a><\/strong> provides grants for public art.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/myconnectcommunity.org\/\"><strong>Connect Community<\/strong><\/a> provides insight on community needs in the Gulfton area.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.avenuecdc.org\/\"><strong>Avenue CDC<\/strong><\/a> provides assistance in Houston&#8217;s Near Northside and Northline areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div id=\"tab-5\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<h1>EarthShare Texas<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" > <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1318 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/EarthShare-Texas-Logo-Full-Color-Horizonal-RGB-DIGITAL-1024x275.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"846\" height=\"227\" \/>SPARK is a member of <a title=\"EarthShare of Texas\" href=\"http:\/\/www.earthshare-texas.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EarthShare of Texas<\/a>,\u00a0a 501(c)3 non-profit federation committed to making environmental support as easy as possible by giving working people the ability to donate through workplace payroll contribution campaigns. Founded by its member charities in 1988, EarthShare is an opportunity for environmentally-conscious employees and workplaces to support hundreds of environmental groups through a charitable giving drive. EarthShare of Texas participates in campaigns at hundreds of public and privates sector workplaces. Workplace giving campaigns in the Houston-Harris County area that support EarthShare of Texas include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><i>Public Sector Campaigns<\/i>\n<ul>\n<li><i>City of Houston Combined Municipal Campaign<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>Houston ISD<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>Cy-Fair ISD<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>Texas State Employee Charitable Campaign<\/i><\/li>\n<li><i>Federal Employees\u2014Combined Federal Campaign<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><em><a href=\"https:\/\/earthshare-texas.org\/earthshare-work\/current-campaigns\/\">Private Sector Campaigns<\/a><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Donors may choose to support EarthShare of Texas as a whole, with your contributions divided among the 75+ Texas organizations \u2013 or direct their contribution to one specific participating organization. For more information on how your workplace can be involved, contact Kathleen Ownby, 832-393-0911 or Kathleen@sparkpark.org<\/div><div id=\"tab-6\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<h1>Trust for Public Land<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" > <a href=\"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TPL_Evaluator.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-433 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TPL_Evaluator-300x282.jpg\" alt=\"TPL_Evaluator\" width=\"300\" height=\"282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TPL_Evaluator-300x282.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TPL_Evaluator-100x94.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/TPL_Evaluator.jpg 576w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>The\u00a0<a title=\"TPL\" href=\"http:\/\/www.tpl.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trust for Public Land<\/a>,\u00a0a national land conservation and parks nonprofit, was awarded a grant by\u00a0<a title=\"Houston Endowment\" href=\"http:\/\/www.houstonendowment.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Houston Endowment<\/a>\u00a0and partnered with the\u00a0<strong>SPARK School Park Program<\/strong>\u00a0to assess the use of approximately 150 SPARK Parks in Harris County.\u00a0\u00a0Data collection occurred during the summer and fall of\u00a02014, and included a\u00a0Park Evaluator (a local college student) who visited each SPARK\u00a0Park after school hours and on the weekend.\u00a0Each evaluator observed the schoolyard, counting the number of park users and noting which amenities were present, as well as conducting surveys with park users to learn more about park use and perceptions. The link to a<span style=\"color: #000000;\">n informational\u00a0handout about the project is found below. If you have any further questions about the tools or methods, please contact Bianca Shulaker at TPL by email (bianca.shulaker@tpl.org) or phone (415-800-5273 or 650-218-1489).<\/span><\/p>\n<p>As a result of this report, in 2016 SPARK was awarded a $5.5 million grant to build 30 SPARK Parks over \u00a0three years in park desert areas of Houston\/ Harris County. \u00a0Twenty-five parks are new parks. \u00a0Five parks are re-SPARKs &#8211; an update of existing parks.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"TPL Info Sheet-English\" href=\"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/SPARK-Project-Informational-Handout-_-ENG.pdf\">Project Information Sheet<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; English<\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"TPL Info Sheet-Sparnish\" href=\"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/SPARK-Project-Informational-Handout-_-SPN.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Project Information Sheet<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; Spanish<\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"TPL-SPARK Final Report\" href=\"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/SPARK-Park-Final-Report.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Final Report<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211;\u00a0Assessment of SPARK School Park Projects: Finding &amp; Recommendations Report<\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Slide Show-Active Living Research Conference\" href=\"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/ALR2015-SPARK-Parks.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Slide Show Report <\/a><\/strong>&#8211; Presented at 2015 Active Living Research Conference, San Diego, California<\/p>\n<p>In 2019, SPARK was awarded another $5.5 million grant to build another 30 SPARK Parks over three years in park desert areas of Houston\/Harris\/Fort Bend Counties. Fifteen parks are new parks. Fifteen parks are re-SPARKs.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, SPARK is celebrating 40 years and is continuing to work on addressing park deserts.<\/p>\n<p>SPARK continues to work with Trust for Public Land to improve Houston&#8217;s Park Score.<\/div><div id=\"tab-7\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<h1>University of Houston School of Architecture<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" > The <a href=\"http:\/\/www.uh.edu\/gdbs\/about_us.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">University of Houston Graduate Design\/Build Studio<\/a> designs and constructs for regional non-profit organizations site specific solutions to climate-influenced building problems. Master of Architecture students are offered the opportunity to see their ideas evolve from initial conception to completed construction. The studio demonstrates the full-scale implications of the students&#8217; aspirations and measures the quality of their design thinking against the rigorous standard of built reality. The Graduate Design\/Build Studio has participated in several SPARK parks:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.uh.edu\/news-events\/stories\/2012\/july\/0716GDBS.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alief SPARK Park &amp; Nature Center<\/a>\u00a0across from Youngblood Intermediate School<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.uh.edu\/gdbs\/2011.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">McReynolds Middle School<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.uh.edu\/gdbs\/2004.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roberts Elementary School<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.uh.edu\/gdbs\/2005.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hamilton Middle School<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a title=\"Revere Educational Portal\" href=\"http:\/\/www.uh.edu\/news-events\/stories\/2014\/November\/1118GDBS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Paul Revere Middle School<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.uh.edu\/magazine\/2016-spring\/making-an-impact\/designing-for-good.php\">Lockhart Elementary School<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div id=\"tab-8\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<h1>Reliant Energy<\/h1>\n<hr  class=\"x-hr\" > Want to help SPARK and offset your carbon footprint at the same time? Reliant and EarthShare of Texas have launched The Reliant EcoShare\u00ae, a program that allows Reliant customers to support EarthShare of Texas and its participating organizations and help reduce the customers\u2019 carbon footprints through the purchase of carbon offsets. <a href=\"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Reliant-EcoShare-higher-resolution-for-print.jpg\"><br \/>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s how it works: The Reliant EcoShare\u00ae program gives customers the option of two pricing levels:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>For a flat monthly amount of $3.95, a $1 donation is made each month to EarthShare of Texas, and 500 pounds of carbon offsets are purchased.<\/li>\n<li>Or, for a flat monthly amount of $5.95, a $2 donation is made each month to EarthShare of Texas, and 1,000 pounds of carbon offsets are purchased.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/reliant.com\/ecoshare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-406 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/2014-ReliantEcoShare_logo-300x135.jpg\" alt=\"2014-ReliantEcoShare_logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/2014-ReliantEcoShare_logo-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/2014-ReliantEcoShare_logo-100x45.jpg 100w, https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/2014-ReliantEcoShare_logo.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a>SPARK benefits, because as one of EarthShare of Texas\u2019 participating organizations, a portion of the Reliant donation is shared with us. Carbon offsets for the Reliant EcoShare\u00ae program meet approved standards to ensure that they represent real, verifiable reductions in greenhouse gases. For more information, follow this link to the <a title=\"EarthShare of Texas\" href=\"http:\/\/earthshare-texas.org\/news\/reliant-ecoshare-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">EarthShare of Texas website<\/a>\u00a0or go directly to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.reliant.com\/en\/residential\/save-energy\/renewable-energy\/carbon-offsets.jsp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Reliant EcoShare Program<\/a>.<\/div><div id=\"tab-9\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" >\n<\/div><div id=\"tab-10\" class=\"x-tab-pane fade in\" ><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div id=\"x-content-band-3\" class=\"x-content-band vc\" style=\"background-color: transparent;\">\n<div  class=\"x-column vc whole\" style=\"\" ><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Partnerships School Districts and Charter SchoolsGovernmentBusinessesOther Non-ProfitsEarthShare of TexasTrust for Public LandUniversity of Houston School of ArchitectureReliant Energy School Districts and Charter Schools SPARK currently works with 18 school districts and 4 charter schools in the Greater Houston area: Aldine ISD Alief ISD Channelview ISD Clear Creek ISD Crosby ISD CyFair ISD Fort Bend ISD Galena Park ISD Goose Creek ... <a href=\"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/partnerships\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"template-blank-4.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","no-post-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1460,"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19\/revisions\/1460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparkpark.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}