Pearland City Council at its Aug. 8 regular meeting passed a resolution awarding a $574,457.78 construction services contract to Lonestar Recreation of Texas for the installation of the park’s surface and safety equipment.
“Looking forward to bringing to the community at the Shadow Creek Sportsplex this all-inclusive playground,” Pearland City Manager Clay Pearson said. “It has been cooperative through state grants, city funds and the Pearland Parks Foundation.”
The total cost of the all-inclusive park is estimated at $1.36 million, which includes $787,082 for equipment and installation and $574,457.78 for installation of the playground's surface, according to agenda documents.
The city has about $1.43 million in funding for the park, $750,000 of which came from a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; $426,000 came from fundraising by the Forever Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization; and $256,540 in city sources.
City Council passed a resolution in April naming the all-inclusive park after Thompson, the state representative for District 29. Thompson helped secure the $750,000 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in July 2021.
An inclusive playground allows children of all abilities and developmental stages to play in the same space with features including a wheelchair swing, a sensory tunnel, a music area, a bird-themed hut and a gallery walk with 3D images.
The park will be located next to the Miracle Field, which is a baseball diamond that has a rubberized surface, at the Sports Complex at Shadow Creek Ranch at 13050 Shadow Creek Parkway, Pearland. According to agenda documents, the city is planning for construction of the playground to begin in November.
“This is going to be a showcase park in our community when it is done,” Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole said.
