Tipps Elementary School celebrated the official dedication of their newly built SPARK school park on Nov. 19.  SPARK representatives, students, staff, government officials and community members gathered to commemorate the moment with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Nov. 21, 2024—Representatives from the SPARK School Park Program visited students and staff at Holmsley, Lieder and Tipps elementary schools to officially dedicate three SPARK school parks to each respective campus.  

The SPARK School Park Program focuses on developing neighborhood parks on public school grounds throughout the Houston and Harris County area. Each park is designed based on ideas and needs of each school and surrounding neighborhoods.

“SPARK is excited to have completed our first three parks at elementary schools in CFISD,” said Kathleen Ownby, executive director for the SPARK School Park program. The playground improvements were funded with ‘park desert’ funds raised by SPARK so that communities would have a city, county or SPARK park within a 10-minute walk from their home. SPARK parks benefit the school during the day and the community after school, on weekends and holidays.”

Lieder Elementary School celebrated the official dedication of their newly built SPARK school park on Nov. 18.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Holmsley was held on Oct. 25 in conjunction with the school’s fall festival. Chase Silman from U.S. Rep. Morgan Luttrell’s office presented a commendation and American flag to Holmsley Principal Ana Diaz. The Holmsley SPARK park was the first SPARK park to be built in CFISD.

“Our Holmsley community is humbled to be blessed with a beautiful SPARK park to strengthen our community relationships,” Diaz said. “This is another opportunity to continue to build relationships with our Holmsley families.”

The Lieder SPARK Park was dedicated on Nov. 18 in conjunction with SPARK week. Representatives from the office of Rep. Morgan Luttrell presented a commendation and representatives from the office of State Representative Lacey Hull presented a Texas flag to Lieder Principal Dinah McMichael. A representative from the office of Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones delivered the proclamation. The school raised $5,000 from Big Kahuna sales, family nights at McDonald’s and Bear Creek Roller Rink events.

Holmsley Elementary School celebrated the official dedication of their newly built SPARK school park on Oct. 25.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be one of the three inaugural CFISD schools working with SPARK Park to provide quality parks for our students and community,” McMichael said. “Lieder Elementary has always been the heart of the community and the families we serve. Our students are in awe of our new track and playground equipment, and we are thankful to lock arms with their incredible families as we create incredible spaces for all those around us to connect and learn. Thank you, SPARK Park, for allowing our dreams to come true!”

The Tipps SPARK Park ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Nov. 19. The Cypress Lakes High School ARJROTC presented colors at the event. Representatives from the offices of Commissioner Briones and District 135 State Rep. Jon Rosenthal read proclamations, followed by a performance by the Tipps choir. Ownby presented SPARK certificates to Tipps Principal Felicia Thomas and other key supporters of the park.

The Tipps community set a goal to raise $5,000 to fund the park, but exceeded it with a $9,000 contribution.

“When I started at Tipps Elementary, one of my priorities was to assist the campus with its already established goal of updating the playground,” Thomas said. “Having previously experienced the SPARK Park organization’s ability to provide a beautiful park for access to all students, I am thrilled to partner with them to bring a SPARK park to the Tipps community. I know it will enhance the students’ opportunities to build their motor skills and grow.”