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Construction on a new, all-inclusive playground at Independence Park in Pearland could begin as soon as 2027.
What happened
Pearland City Council voted unanimously to approve pursuing the application process to secure a $1 million Texas Parks and Wildlife grant to fund the playground at its Dec. 8 meeting.
What they’re saying
During the 87th legislative session, staff and local stakeholders advocated for a $1 million request to the Texas House of Representatives' Committee on Appropriations for the 89th legislative session, through Jeff Barry, R-Pearland, according to city documents.
There are currently fundraising efforts to cover any costs that the $1 million grant falls short of covering, City Manager Trent Epperson said.
Why it matters
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 4% of Pearland’s population under age 65 has a disability. Of those residents, 1,382 are between the ages of 5 and 18, according to city documents.
In 2021, former state Rep. Ed Thompson secured $750,000 to build Pearland’s first all-inclusive playground, the Ed Thompson Inclusive Park, at Shadow Creek Ranch Sportsplex, which officially opened in April 2023, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
What’s next?
If approved, the project’s design phase could begin by summer 2026, and construction could begin in fall 2027, Epperson said.
