SPARK Park Re-Spark Project

The Stevens PTCO SPARK Park Re-Spark Project was made possible by the incredible generosity of our community. Thanks to the support of community members, local businesses, neighbors, parents, friends, well-wishers, and supporters, we proudly raised over $50,000 to re-energize this shared space.

The goal of the project was to create a safe, shaded, and engaging outdoor environment where Stevens students—and the broader community—can enjoy the many benefits of outdoor physical play, including physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth and development.

With this collective support, our SPARK Park now features new play structures, fresh turf, updated blue top paint, a new track around the blue tops, disc swings, and—thanks to Stevens friend Professor Robert Riojas—a soon-to-be-unveiled mural that will further enrich this vibrant space.

NEWS RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

ELIZABETH HOWLEY, SPARK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (832) 393-0911

Dedication ceremonies for Houston ISD’s Stevens Elementary SPARK Park will be held Thursday, March 19th, 2026, at 5:00 pm. Students will receive 10th edition SPARK coloring books to celebrate the occasion.

The Re-SPARK of the park is a cooperative venture between Stevens Elementary parents, students, and the community. Landscape architect Carmen Posey worked with the SPARK committee to design the park. GameTime/Cunningham Recreation served as the playground contractor. The playground features a composite structure with several slides, including a spiral slide, along with a rock wall and a separate rope tower. It also

includes a double arch with two team swings. BaseLine Paving & Construction recoated the court and striped the walking track. SynLawn Houston installed artificial turf for the soccer field. Von Younger Landscaping Inc. repaired and painted the deck, trimmed trees, and repainted the columns.

Art Professor and artist Robert Riojas III of Piece of Mind Art worked with art majors of Texas Southern University, Stevens Elementary students, and local artists to create the tile mosaic mural “Dream Big, Fly Far – Destination 2035” on the wall facing the SPARK Park. The design reflects the school’s vision for the future and its focus on

STEAM education and community collaboration. Robotic stallions symbolize strength, technology, and progress, while hot air balloons featuring STEAM icons represent curiosity, innovation, and the limitless potential of the students at Stevens Elementary.

The school raised $50,000 through its annual Read-A-Thon and Silent Auction, with strong support from the community. They also received several large donations from neighborhood businesses, making it one of the most successful fundraising years to date. In addition, Council Member Kamin contributed $10,000 in Council District Service funds, and HISD contributed over $11,000. The SPARK Park received $217,000 in “park desert” funding from the Kinder Foundation, Houston Endowment, Cullen, and the Brown Foundation. The SPARK Park at Stevens Elementary helps meet a city and county goal of ensuring residents have access to a park within a ten-minute or half-mile walk. The total cost of the SPARK Park was nearly $288,000. In honor of the occasion, State Representative Charlene Ward Johnson will present a Texas flag that has flown over the Capitol in Austin. Council Member Abbie Kamin will deliver brief remarks.

Those helping Principal Tarren Ellison dedicate the SPARK Park are:

State Representative Charlene Ward Johnson

Abbie Kamin, Houston City Council Member, Dist. C

Robert Riojas III, Piece of Mind Art

Joel Nece, GameTime/Cunningham Recreation

Cheryl Huffman, Kinder Foundation

Lance Menster, Powell Foundation

SPARK Board Members