The effort to give children a place to play is going strong with Pasadena ISD's involvement in the SPARK Park program.

Recently, KBR made a $5,000 donation to Garfield Elementary toward the construction of a SPARK Park on their campus. The SPARK School Park Program was developed in 1983 as a way to increase park space in the Houston area. The late Eleanor Tinsley, former Houston school board member and former Houston City Council Member created the non-profit organization to develop public school grounds into neighborhood parks.

Campus fundraisers continue for another future SPARK Park to be built at Matthys Elementary School in South Houston.

Kruse Elementary is currently in the application process for a SPARK Park on their new campus site at 400 Park Ln. The request is still awaiting approval, but the City of Pasadena has made a $100,000 donation to go toward the project.

In March, Freeman Elementary was accepted to be a part of the SPARK Park program.

The first SPARK Park in Pasadena opened at Parks Elementary School in 2007. SPARK combines the resources of the Department of Housing and Community Development, Harris County, the private sector, neighborhood groups, PTA/PTO groups, and concerned citizens.

For more information on SPARK Park program, go to www.sparkpark.org